Originally, the office of Presiding Patriarch was one of the highest and most important offices of the church's priesthood. When a Presiding Patriarch has existed, the church has sustained the person as a prophet, seer, and revelator.[1] In the history of the LDS Church, there have been eight Presiding Patriarchs, three Acting Presiding Patriarchs, and one Patriarch Emeritus.
From 4 February 1932 until 1937 the office was officially left vacant,[2] two patriarchs, Nicholas G. Smith and Frank B. Woodbury, who were not direct descendants of Joseph Smith Sr. and not sustained to their positions in general conference, fulfilled the duties normally performed by the Presiding Patriarch between 1932 and 1937. It is unknown whether they were ordained or set apart as Acting Presiding Patriarchs.[2]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) effectively discontinued the office of Presiding Patriarch in 1979, indicating enough local patriarchs existed so that the church-wide position was no longer needed. Until that time, the role and duties of the office had varied. The Presiding Patriarch sometimes appointed local patriarchs in the stakes of the church and presided over them as a loose "Quorum of Patriarchs." Like the local patriarchs, the Presiding Patriarch was also empowered to give patriarchal blessings.
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