The Church of Jesus and Christ of Latter-day Saints is maintaining its global humanitarian and missionary operations, driven by a leadership structure headed by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Church Governance Structure
The highest governing body of the Church is the First Presidency, which consists of the President of the Church and two or three counselors. Along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, members of the First Presidency serve as special witnesses of Jesus Christ to oversee Church affairs worldwide.
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles serves as the second-highest presiding body. Its members travel globally to act as witnesses of the name of Christ under the direction of the First Presidency.
Global Missionary Growth
The Church's missionary efforts are supported by the General Missionary Fund, which assists more than 40 percent of the current missionary force that requires at least partial financial assistance. According to the Missionary Department, the Church currently maintains a total membership of 17,509,7unes81 and a full-time teaching missionary force of 74,127.
In an October 2025 general conference address, Elder Quentin L. Cook noted significant growth in the faith, stating that nearly 900,000 converts had joined the Church over the preceding 36 months.
Humanitarian Aid Expansion
Humanitarian initiatives led by the Relief Society General Presidency have expanded to focus on the health and well-being of women and children. This global initiative targets nutrition, maternal and newborn care, immunizations, and education, with expectations to benefit 12 million children and 2.7 million new and expectant mothers.
The Church's humanitarian work in 2025 included managing 3,514 projects across 196 countries and territories, totaling 1.58 billion dollars in expenditures.
Disaster Relief Efforts
The Church's welfare and humanitarian efforts have addressed various international crises, including responding to devastating floods in Brazil during April and May 2024 that displaced nearly 600,000 people. Additionally, the Church provided emergency relief and volunteer support following hurricanes in the southeastern United States in the fall of 2024.
Blaine Maxfield, Managing Director of Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, noted that donations enable the Church to provide essential items such as food, water, and emergency supplies during times of acute need.
Global Ministerial Reach
The Church's organizational reach extends to various General Officers, including the presidencies of the Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, and Young Men organizations. These leaders travel worldwide to minister to specific groups within the global membership.
