The Latter Day Saint concept of the office differs significantly from the role of bishops in other Christian denominations, being in some respects more analogous to a pastor or parish priest.
The role of a bishop varies in the different Latter Day Saint denominations; however, they derive from a common history.
On February 4, 1831, Edward Partridge became the first man called to the office of bishop in the early Latter Day Saint church.
[5] In the LDS Church, the largest Latter Day Saint denomination, bishops are called from among the members of a local congregation, known as a ward, and serve without pay for four to seven years though the length of service varies.
[8] The bishop is often called "the father of the ward"[9] as he is the priesthood leader who is most intimately involved with individual church members.
All local positions in the LDS Church operate as a lay ministry; members donate their time to perform the duties assigned with each calling.
The calling of "traveling bishop" was prominent during the early Utah period of church history from roughly the 1850s-1880s.
[13] Traveling bishops were not assigned to a specific congregation, but were tasked to visit various wards and branches to take care and supervise over temporal matters.
[14] In many ways bishops of the Community of Christ continue to resemble those found in the church prior to the death of Joseph Smith.
In recent years, some mission centers have had multiple bishops in order to help promote the various ministries associated with good stewardship.
Bishops in general are therefore sometimes seen as ideal resources to provide support and mentoring to local members of the Aaronic priesthood.