Alma “ordained priests and elders, by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch over the church” (Alma 6:1)
Like other groups, we Latter-day Saints have our own jargon. There are numerous explanations for this. Occasionally, we use words, especially religious ones, shared with other faiths, but they carry a specific Latter-day Saint cultural meaning for us. Sacrament, for instance, means one thing to us, but something different to Catholics. Occasionally, everyday words lacking religious context hold special significance for us. The dictionary defines “mutual” as “reciprocal”, however we use it for a youth weeknight activity. Jargon is mainly comprised of specialized terms used by specific groups, making it hard for outsiders to grasp, but are second nature to us. Preside is one of those words we’re talking about. We believe we grasp the meaning until we’re asked to clarify.
The term “preside” is a significant concept within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often discussed in relation to both church organization and family leadership, though its meaning can be complex and has evolved over time.
General and Etymological Definitions
There is no direct Hebrew word for “preside”. However, there is an Aramaic root, Carek, related to “president”. This Aramaic root is used in instances such as “to preside over the work of the house of Jehovah” or “is presiding over all cases that pertain to the LORD”. There are two Greek words associated with the concept of “preside”. Episkopeō which means “to oversee” and carries connotations of watchful care and protection, similar to a shepherd guarding a flock. Poimainō also entails presiding, which means “to shepherd,” and connotes watchful care and protection in a leadership role.
The English word “preside” originates from the Latin praesidere, meaning “to sit in front of” or “to oversee”. Secular definitions often refer to occupying a leading position of authority, directing, controlling, or governing as a chief officer. It can imply “exercising authority or control over” or “acting as a president”. In a broader sense, it means to lead, govern, or oversee a group, assembly, or organization. The concept is closely connected to leadership and the act of a “president”. The words “president” and “preside” are closely related as they both stem from the Latin word praesidere.
The etymological root of “preside” as “to sit in front of” has been interpreted to mean being “engaged, attentive, and proactive” in watching over family members. It also carries the connotation of “to stand guard”, similar to a shepherd protecting their flock. This highlights the leader’s responsibility to protect and safeguard those under his care. As a shepherd sits in front of his flock and stays alert, to preside is to sit in front of the group and stay awake and alert.
In Church leadership, “preside” typically means to lead with authority and direct the organization and its members. This is relevant for many leadership roles, like a quorum president, a bishop, or the Church President. Women leaders, such as Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidents, preside over their respective organizations and meetings.
“Preside” in Church Leadership:
- All priesthood authority in the Church is guided through priesthood keys. The keys are the right of presidency, granting the power and authority to govern and direct the Lord’s affairs on earth. The Church President has these keys and uses them to lead the Church. Those who hold these keys are authorized to preside over specific areas and responsibilities. Their authority to preside relates to their calling, ending upon release. All who serve in the Church are set apart under the direction of priesthood authority.
- The presiding person is accountable for a meeting’s conduct and receives inspiration for adjustments or corrections during the meeting. This provides order and clear lines of responsibility and accountability.
- The presiding officer does not always conduct the meeting (i.e., announce speakers or manage the flow); they can ask someone else, like a counselor, to conduct under their direction.
- It is part of the “unwritten order of things” for the one who presides to sit on the stand and close to the one conducting, as President Packer pointed out, it’s “difficult to preside over a meeting from the congregation”. The word “preside” implies sitting in front of the group.
“Preside” in Family Leadership
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” states that “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families”. This is considered a “sacred duty” and an “eternal calling” from which a father is never released. He acts as an equal partner with his wife.
The Savior is the ultimate model, demonstrating leadership through service and sacrifice for those whom He led. Husbands are encouraged to love their wives “even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”. This involves being consistent, lovable, understanding, and kind.
- “Preside, Provide, Protect”: Fathers are called to provide for their families’ physical and spiritual needs. This includes leading in family worship, such as daily family prayer, gospel study, and family home evening. Fathers also provide “priesthood nurturing” by administering ordinances like a father’s blessings. Protection involves safeguarding children from spiritual and temporal dangers, including teaching gospel truths and making wise choices about media and friendships.
- Shared Leadership and Equal Partnership:The Proclamation also emphasizes that “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” in their sacred responsibilities. Elder L. Tom Perry clarified that this means there is “not a president or a vice president in a family”. Husbands and wives are “coequals,” walking “side by side”. They are to be “equally yoked together, sharing in decisions, always working together”. Successful shared leadership involves becoming “one in heart,” counseling and deciding together, and supporting each other in tasks.
- This means making all important decisions together in humility, through counseling and mutual agreement, rather than one person dictating terms. For instance, Elder Ulisses Soares shared, “Within the first few months of our marriage, my dear wife expressed her desire to study music. Intending to please her, I decided to orchestrate a big, heartfelt surprise for my sweetheart. I went to a musical instrument store and bought her a piano as a gift. I excitedly put the purchase receipt in a box with a beautiful bow and gave it to her, expecting an effusive reaction of gratitude for her extremely loving and attentive husband.
- “When she opened that little box and saw its contents, she lovingly looked at me and said, ‘Oh, my dear, you are wonderful! But let me ask you a question: Is this a gift or a debt?’ After counseling together about the surprise, we decided to cancel the purchase. We were living on a student budget, as is the case with many young newlyweds. This experience helped me recognize the importance of the principle of full partnership in a marital relationship and how its application could help my wife and me to be of one heart and one mind” (“In Partnership with the Lord,” Liahona, Nov 2022).
- What “Preside” Does Not Mean: Presiding in the family “absolutely exclude[s] any kind of abuse or improper use of authority”. It does not grant the right to dictate, dominate, or exercise “unrighteous dominion”. Pulling “priesthood rank” on one’s spouse is a gross misuse of authority. Essentially, though “preside” suggests authority, Latter-day Saint families use it to mean shared, loving leadership focused on service and guiding their family to God, with husband and wife as equal partners.
The core takeaway from the concept of “presiding,” is that it signifies a sacred responsibility to lead and guide with love and righteousness, fundamentally centered on service, unity, and the spiritual and temporal well-being of individuals, whether within a Church organization or, most significantly, within the family unit. It is to stand guard and defend the flock.
