Temple President

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A Temple President in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supervises one of the 124 temples currently in operation. He is assisted by two counselors as well as by the wives of the president and counselors, who are called matrons. In larger temples presidents usually serve for three years, but in smaller temples they may serve indefinitely. Presidents of small temples are experienced church leaders who may have served, for example, as Stake Presidents or Bishops. Presidents of the larger temples include emeritus or released members of one of the Quorums of the Seventy. In countries outside the United States, it is not uncommon for a former General Authority who is a native of that country to serve as president of a temple there. Other former General Authorities who have lived and worked in a country often also serve as presidents of temples in those countries.

A president’s duties include greeting temple patrons and interviewing recommended temple workers as well as recommending temple workers. Presidents often attend (regional) stake conferences and (local) sacrament meetings, where they urge church members to carry out genealogical work and to attend and assist in temple work. Temple ordinances, performed for the living and the dead, require many patrons and workers.