The 2018 Restructuring of Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums

A concise look at how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reorganized its local priesthood leadership and its lasting effects.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 20, 2026

Branched from The Difference Between Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood Quorum Structure

Quick take

The 2018 change combined ward-level Elders Quorums and High Priests Groups into one unified Elders Quorum.
The goal was to simplify organization, strengthen unity, and improve service and ministering efforts.
All active Melchizedek Priesthood holders in a ward, regardless of whether they are Elders or High Priests, now belong to the Elders Quorum.
This change aimed to better utilize all priesthood holders' experience and abilities for the benefit of the congregation.

The 2018 restructuring of Melchizedek Priesthood quorums in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a significant organizational change announced in April 2018. It consolidated the ward-level Elders Quorum and the High Priests Group into a single, unified Elders Quorum, impacting how priesthood holders are organized and serve in local congregations worldwide.

How the Structure Changed

Before April 2018, each ward (local congregation) of the Church typically had two distinct Melchizedek Priesthood organizations: an Elders Quorum, composed of men ordained to the office of Elder, and a High Priests Group, consisting of men ordained as High Priests who were not currently serving in a bishopric or stake presidency. The restructuring eliminated the High Priests Group. Now, all active Melchizedek Priesthood holders in a ward, whether ordained as Elders or High Priests, are members of the ward Elders Quorum.

This change created a single, larger quorum led by an Elders Quorum presidency. High Priests who are currently serving in a ward bishopric, a stake presidency, or as a patriarch continue to be members of those specific quorums (the Bishopric, the Stake Presidency, or the Stake Patriarchs Quorum) rather than the ward Elders Quorum, consistent with previous practice. The change primarily affected how High Priests were organized at the *ward* level, bringing all other High Priests into the Elders Quorum.

Key Impacts and Purposes

The primary motivations behind this restructuring centered on simplifying the Church's organization, fostering greater unity, and enhancing the effectiveness of priesthood service. By bringing all Melchizedek Priesthood holders together, the change aimed to better leverage the experience and spiritual maturity of High Priests to mentor and serve alongside Elders. It also provided more leadership opportunities within the unified Elders Quorum for a broader range of members.

This consolidation also directly supported the Church's renewed emphasis on "ministering"—a more personalized, needs-based approach to caring for members that replaced the previous home teaching and visiting teaching programs. A larger, combined quorum could more effectively organize and carry out these ministering assignments, ensuring every member receives consistent care and support. The change also simplified administrative tasks for local leaders, allowing them to focus more on ministering and less on separate organizational structures.

This restructuring matters because it represents a significant shift in how leadership and service are organized within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reinforcing the principle of unity among all Melchizedek Priesthood holders. It applies to every active Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the Church globally, affecting their local ward assignments and opportunities for service and leadership. The change was implemented immediately following the April 2018 General Conference announcement and continues to shape the day-to-day operations and spiritual outreach of wards worldwide.

What was the main organizational change in 2018?

The main change was the consolidation of ward-level Elders Quorums and High Priests Groups into a single, unified Elders Quorum.

Why did the Church make this change?

The change aimed to simplify Church organization, strengthen unity among priesthood holders, better utilize the experience of all members, and enhance the effectiveness of ministering and service efforts.

Do High Priests and Elders now have the same authority or office?

No, the change did not alter the distinct offices of Elder and High Priest within the Melchizedek Priesthood. High Priests still hold the higher office. The restructuring only changed their *quorum organization* at the ward level, bringing them into the same quorum for administrative and service purposes.

Who leads the new, unified Elders Quorum?

The unified Elders Quorum is led by an Elders Quorum presidency, which typically consists of an Elders Quorum president and two counselors. This presidency works under the direction of the bishopric.

How did this affect High Priests serving in the bishopric or stake presidency?

High Priests serving in callings such as the bishopric, stake presidency, or as a patriarch were already members of those specific quorums (e.g., the Bishopric, the Stake Presidency) and not the ward High Priests Group. This practice remains unchanged; they continue to be members of their respective leadership quorums.

Sources

"Elder's Quorum and High Priest Groups to Combine" — Newsroom article, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (April 2018 General Conference announcement).
"Adjustments to Priesthood Quorums" — General Conference talk by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2018.