Gospel Principles
Unit 5: The Church of Jesus Christ
Chapter 14: Priesthood Organization
Concept 5: The Quorums of The Aaronic Priesthood
"The Lord has instructed that the holders of the priesthood be organized into quorums. A quorum is a body of brethren holding the same priesthood office.
There are three Quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood:
1. The deacons quorum, which consists of up to twelve deacons (D&C 107:85 "And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them, and to teach them their duty, edifying one another, as it is given according to the covenants."). The presidency of the deacons quorum is called by the bishop from among the quorum members.
2. The teachers quorum, which consists of up to twenty-four teachers (D&C 107:86 "And also the duty of the president over the office of the teachers is to preside over twenty-four of the teachers, and to sit in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants."). The presidency of the teachers quorum is called by the bishop from among the quorum members.
3. The priests quorum, which consists of up to forty-eight priests (D&C 107:87-88 "87 Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is to preside over forty-eight priests, and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants
88 This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood.").
It is presided over by the bishop of the ward to which the quorum belongs. The bishop is a high priest and thus also belongs to the high priests quorum.
Whenever the number specified for a quorum is exceeded, the quorum may be divided."