Branch president

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A branch president is a leader of a "branch" congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The calling of branch president is very similar to the calling of bishop, except that instead of presiding over a ward, the branch president presides over a branch. The branch president is directly responsible for the smooth operation of his branch and the well-being of its patrons. The branch president usually has two counselors to assist him in his duties. These three comprise the branch presidency. Like almost all callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the branch president is not paid and must support himself and his family.

A branch president must hold the Melchizedek priesthood and be ordained an elder. Unlike a bishop, a branch president is not required to be married or be High Priest. In branches where no resident member is a worthy priesthood holder, a missionary may be called to be branch president.

A branch president does not hold the same keys of the priesthood that a bishop holds. For example, a branch president may convene a disciplinary council only upon direction of the stake or mission president who presides over him, whereas a bishop may convene a disciplinary council at any time on his own volition.

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