High councils were organized in this dispensation even before the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was created. The Doctrine and Covenants in Section 102 records the minutes of the organization of the first high council of the Church, which occurred in Kirtland, Ohio, on Feb. 17, 1834.

On July 3 of the same year, a second high council was organized in Clay County, Mo.

The First Presidency of the Church constituted the presidency of that first high council, and the jurisdiction of that group was not confined to the borders of a stake. However, as new stakes were organized, high councils were organized for each individual stake.

In an article on the Melchizedek Priesthood published in the February 1954 Improvement Era, the function of high councilors was explained:

"High councilors play a vital role in the administration of the stake. Figuratively speaking, they constitute the right arm of the stake presidency. The degree to which they are faithful, efficient, and willing to work determines their value to the stake presidency and goes far in determining the progress made by the stake and ward organizations in which they have been called to serve.

"The duties and assignments of high councilors are very extensive and varied. Such assignments absorb much time in stakes where the stake presidencies fully utilize their high councilors in carrying forward the Church program. Experience has shown that it is wisdom for stake presidencies to make very extensive use of their high councilors, because the progress of the work of the Lord within a stake and the efficiency with which it is carried forward will be determined to a large extent by the use made of high councilors by the stake presidency."

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