Hours after announcing two new leaders and officially sustaining a new president, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a major restructuring for male members within the faith.
During his first address in General Conference since being sustained as the 17th president of the church, Russell M. Nelson announced that high priests and elders will now be combined into one elders quorum in each ward.
“This adjustment will greatly enhance the capacity and the ability of men who bear the priesthood to serve others, explained President Nelson. “Perspective elders will be welcomed in and fellowshipped by that quorum.”
The announcement came during the now-annual General Priesthood Session for male members of the church, 12-years-old and up.
The church’s priesthood is divided into two levels or orders — the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elder and high priest are two of the ordained offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood. They had previously met separately for instruction and teaching during weekly church services.
President Nelson said the changes are inspired and had been considered for many months prior to the announcement.
“We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members and report our contacts with them. To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums, to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for his saints.”
Local leaders were told to begin implementing the new quorum adjustments as soon as conveniently possible.