Patriarch (Mormonism) - Definition

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Latter Day Saint movement, a patriarch is the Melchizedek Priesthood office that is called evangelist in the New Testament.

Initially, a single patriarch, known as the Presiding Patriarch, "presided" over the whole church. In the modern LDS Church, the office of Presiding Patriarch has been eliminated and a local patriarch now exists in every stake. Although the Community of Christ retains the position of "Presiding Patriarch", the ordination of women led the church to rename the office "Presiding Evangelist." Local patriarchs in the the Community of Christ are now known as "evangelists" as well.

In the LDS church, a patriarch is called under the direction of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and, once ordained, remains a Patriarch for life (excepting circumstances of excommunication). Though he can be relieved of his responsibilities as the official patriarch for a particular unit, he will still be able to function as a patriarch in the apporpriate context (such as in cases where there is no other patriarch available). If a patriarch is called to serve as the official stake partriarch again, he would not be "re-ordained," only "re-set apart" (Bishop is the only other calling within the general membership where this is so).

See also

• Patriarchal Priesthood
• Patriarchal blessing
• Presiding Patriarch (Mormonism)