The Priesthood Reorganization of 1877

Practical application of revelations about the priesthood required creativity and innovation because the revelations did not always say how. By 1877, Brigham Young knew he had to act to reorder the organization of the priesthood quorums. This reorganization involved every stake, 241 wards, hundreds of quorums, and more than a thousand leadership positions. He had already reordered the seniority of the Apostles and saw them released from stake  presidency positions. He set in order that each stake president would have two counselors, and high councils, which had been missing from some stakes, were standardized. The 1877 changes revolutionized Aaronic Priesthood work by stipulating that all youth receive some priesthood instead of just a few youth having that privilege.