The First Presidency currently consists of Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors: Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B.
There have been other cases where counselors have been ordained to the office of apostle but not set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, such as Alvin R. Dyer.
Other counselors in the First Presidency were never ordained to the office of apostle, such as Charles W. Nibley and John R. Winder.
Although that is fairly common, there are no hard and fast rules about such practices, and each president is free to choose the counselors he prefers.
Nevertheless, the First Presidency has retained its overarching decision-making power in a number of significant areas and may, at any time, choose to overrule the decisions of a lesser church quorum or authority.
If needed, any number of additional counselors may be called to assist them, but the president of the church remains the only person authorized to use all priesthood keys.
All members of the First Presidency are sustained by the membership of the church as prophets, seers, and revelators and given the keys of the kingdom when they are ordained as an apostle.
The following men served as a counselor in the First Presidency during the years indicated and were never ordained to the priesthood office of apostle.