Temple president

Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise one of the 125 LDS temples currently in operation. He is assisted by two counselors as well as by the wives of the president, referred to as the "matron" and the wives of the counselors, who are called "assistants to the matron".

In larger temples, presidents usually serve for three years, but in smaller temples they may serve indefinitely. Presidents of smaller temples are typically experienced church leaders who may have served, for example, as stake presidents or bishops. Presidents of the larger temples include emeritus, former, or current general authorities.

A temple 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 the performance of temple ordinances.

Historical development

The first temple president was Wilford Woodruff. He was called to preside over the St. George Temple. Neither the Nauvoo Temple nor the Kirtland Temple had had a president.