Stakes & Wards in Nauvoo

I read this article on how the priesthood was organized during the Nauvoo period. It was really kind of cool. You can see elements of how things are done today in the problem experienced in how they were done then.

For example, the Aaronic priesthood quorums would have problems with member frequently being advanced to other quorums, sometimes with such frequency that the only person left would be the president. After the Temple was dedicated the problem became worse as missionaries were required to have their endowments and therefore be ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. Most Priesthood holders were Seventies and very few were Deacons, Teachers or Priests. Calling younger men to fill this role appears to be a natural next step.

There is much more in the article, which I highly recommend.