Presiding elder

A leader over a local ecclesiastical unit of the church; also a title indicating the leading officers of the church. When the church was organized, JS and Oliver Cowdery were ordained as first and second elders, respectively, distinguishing them as the church’s highest presiding officers. Members of the church’s presidency were sometimes referred to as presiding elders. Presiding elders who were appointed to preside over branches of the church held authority to conduct local church business and administer sacred ordinances. They sometimes called counselors to assist with local church duties. See also “.”