Quorums of the Seventy
Encyclopedia
Seventy is a priesthood office in the Melchizedek priesthood of several denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement
, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Traditionally, a Latter Day Saint holding this priesthood office is a "traveling minister" and an "especial witness" of Jesus Christ
, charged with the mission of preaching the gospel to the entire world under the direction of the Twelve Apostles. The office of seventy was anciently conferred upon Church members by Jesus Christ himself, as seventy disciples mentioned in the Gospel of Luke
. Multiple individuals holding the office of seventy are referred to collectively as seventies.
of up to 70 seventies each, all of which would be led by seven presidents. These presidents, chosen from the first quorum, would appoint and direct the other quorums of seventy.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest of the Latter Day Saint denominations
, the quorums of the seventy are directed and supervised hierarchically by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who are in turn directed by the First Presidency
. As introduced by Joseph Smith, the apostles and the seventy had authority only outside the main body of Latter Day Saints in Zion
, and in the outlying stakes. Members in Zion and the stakes were led by the High Council of Zion (under the direction of the First Presidency
) and stake high councils
.
As a body, the seventy in the LDS Church are considered to be equal in priesthood
authority with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This presumably means that if the apostles were killed or incapacitated, the seventy could take over the function of the apostles. However, in such circumstances, the seventy would be required to act unanimously.
as the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy.
In 1837, six of the seven presidents were released because it was discovered that they had previously been ordained high priests. Five of these men were ultimately replaced by others. The other two—Levi W. Hancock
and Joseph Young
—remained members of the First Seven Presidents for the rest of their lives.
of the church with responsibilities covering the church as a whole, including areas of the church where stakes
are established.
A member of the additional Quorums of the Seventy (currently numbered Third through Eighth) is called an area seventy. Members of these quorums are ordained to the priesthood office of seventy, but they are not general authorities of the church. Area seventies have authority only within a geographical unit of the church called an area
.
, he had already organized four incomplete quorums of seventy. By 1845, there were ten quorums of seventy. The seventies in the first quorum became the seven presidents for each of the other quorums; that is, there were 63 presidents, 7 for each of the 9 other quorums, and the seven remaining members were the presidency of the first quorum. The members of the first quorum were thus spread out across the church, making meetings of the first quorum rare.
Elders were often ordained to the office of seventy immediately before they left on a mission
. Quorums were not restricted to geography, so individual quorums were scattered all over the world.
In 1883, church president John Taylor localized the quorums of seventy. Each stake was given a quorum of seventy, and seventies in that stake would belong to that quorum. Taylor also prescribed that the senior president of the first 63 quorums could meet with the seven presidents of the first quorum and that would constitute a meeting of the first quorum. This never happened, however. This organization continued until church president Spencer W. Kimball
's reorganization of the seventies in 1976.
Though the number of seventies in the church grew, the number of presidents remained at seven. In the 1930s, the First Seven Presidents were renamed the First Council of the Seventy.
Eventually, the stake quorums of seventy were no longer numbered and in 1936 they were put under the local responsibility of stake presidents. Subsequently, in 1961, church president David O. McKay
ordained those of the First Council of the Seventy who wished to be high priests.
, the First Quorum of the Seventy was reconstituted. The First Quorum was composed of the former members of the First Council of the Seventy as well as new individuals selected by Kimball. The reason for the change was that the growth of the church necessitated the call of more general authorities
. In 1976, the First Council of the Seventy, the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were all merged into a new First Quorum of the Seventy under a seven-member Presidency of the Seventy. In 1978, some of the older members of the seventy were retired as the first general authorities to be given emeritus
status. However, members appointed through 1981 were still granted life tenure.
following their 70th birthdays, or earlier in the case of serious health problems. Some flexibility on the terms of service has emerged in recent years.
Since 1989, members of the First and Second Quorums have continued as general authorities of the church. Sometimes members are called from the Second Quorum into the First Quorum.
Since the 1976 merger of First Quorum of the Seventy, seventies are the most usual candidates to become members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Since 1976, the three (of 15) apostles who did not serve as a general authority seventies prior to their call are Russell M. Nelson
, Dallin H. Oaks
, and David A. Bednar
, with Nelson and Oaks being ordained apostles in 1984 under church president Spencer W. Kimball
, and Bednar in 2004 under church president Gordon B. Hinckley
.
announced the creation of a new leadership position known as the area authority. The area authorities were to replace the regional representatives of the Twelve who had served as bridge of leadership between the general authorities and the local stake and mission president
s. In 1997, it was decided that area authorities would be ordained to the office of seventy. As a result, these area authorities were renamed area authority seventies, and the church announced that these new seventies would become members of the newly-created Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy. Later, the title "area authority seventy" was shortened to area seventy, which is the title currently in use.
The area seventies serve in the various geographic regions of the world called areas
in which the church is governed by area presidencies. An area presidency is typically composed of members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy.
In 2004, the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy was divided to create the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy.
In May 2005, the Seventh and Eighth Quorums of the Seventy were created. The Fourth Quorum, which had served Mexico
, Central
and South America
had grown to 72 members, and was split into the Fourth and Seventh Quorums. The Eighth Quorum was created to allow better geographic organization of the Third Quorum (not because the number of members exceeded seventy). The Third Quorum previously covered all of Africa
, Asia
, Australia
, Europe
and the western islands of the Pacific. The new Eighth Quorum serves Southern Asia, Australia
, and the western islands of the Pacific. The Third Quorum continued to serve Africa
, northern Asia
, and Europe
.
In general, seventies must first be at least elders in the Melchizedek priesthood, but in practice most have previously been ordained to the office of high priest. Seventies, being equal in authority, act under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as they labor in their apostolic ministry. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ understand that being “equal in authority” (D&C 107:26) means they preside over the Church when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve are not constituted.
This means the seventies have the power to do anything required to organize and administer the church, as long as they do so under the direction of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve (D&C 107:33–34). They do not, as a Quorum, preside over the Church, by their own authority, unless the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are no longer in existence. Apart from the seven presidents of the seventy, seventies do not hold priesthood keys but are delegated the necessary keys to perform their duties. Seventies hold apostolic authority in the sense of being “especial witnesses of Christ.” and the Quorum of the Seventy may become the Presiding authority over the Church if the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve cease to exist.
of the Second Quorum of the Seventy was sustained to the Presidency to fill the vacancy created by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
's call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The church now states that the seven presidents are drawn from the “members of the First or Second Quorum of the Seventy.”
The members of the Presidency of the Seventy often serve as heads of various church departments. In 2004, all area presidencies in the United States
and Canada
were dissolved; these areas
were put directly under the jurisdiction of the Presidency of the Seventy. The management of these areas is currently the primary responsibility of the Presidency of the Seventy.
The Presidency of the Seventy is unique in the church in that not only are there seven members but all seven hold the "keys" of presidency. The man with the longest tenure of uninterrupted service in the presidency is called to preside over the other six as the presiding president or senior president of the seventy.
The current Presidency of the Seventy and their areas of responsibility (as of August 2009) are:
status and released from active service as a general authority.
Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy serve under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Presidency of the Seventy. They do not visit local units of the church except under explicit direction, and they do not teach or give sermons in church meetings except with permission. Often, members of this quorum will accompany the Twelve on their visits to missions and stakes throughout the church. Other times, they will be sent to act in behalf of the Quorum of the Twelve to stake conferences and to provide training and support to stakes, missions, areas, and temples. As general authorities, members of the First Quorum are often asked to speak at church general conferences.
Although no longer fully functioning general authorities, emeritus
general authorities may be asked to be temple president
s or mission president
s. With the exception of Eldred G. Smith
, all emeritus general authorities in church history have served as members of the First Quorum of the Seventy. They remain general authorities until their deaths, but an emeritus general authority is not a member of a seventies quorum. John K. Carmack
, the head of the Perpetual Education Fund
and W. Rolfe Kerr
, a former Church Commissioner of Education, are both emeritus general authorities. Jacob de Jager
served as a bishop after he was given emeritus status. In the general conference meeting in which Ezra Taft Benson
was first sustained as president of the church, the emeritus general authorities were sustained
. However, when Howard W. Hunter
was sustained as president of the church the emeritus general authorities were not mentioned in the list of church officials that were sustained.
which authorizes them to seal husbands to wives, and children to their parents, in any of the church's temples
. Members of the other quorums of seventy do not receive this as part of their calling.
, a seventy is also considered to be an elder but are not High Priests. Part of function of the seventy is a missionary role and they work closely with the apostle in charge of the mission field they are in. They are organized into ten quorums, each quorum is presided over by a president. These presidents make up the Council of Presidents of Seventy, and are collectively led by the Senior President of the Presidents of Seventy. All ten quorums are equal with one another. When someone is ordained a seventy, that person automatically becomes a member of one of the Ten Quorums, and remains a member of one of the Quorums (although the specific quorum may change based on residency) so long as that person remains a seventy. In other words, it is not possible to be a seventy and not belong to one of these quorums.
The current roster of Presidents of Seventy include:
Historically, there have always been 7 quorums, with a maximum of 70 members each. However, on January 17, 2010, President–Prophet Stephen M. Veazey
announced that the number of quorums (and presidents) could be flexible and based on the current needs of the church. The change from seven to ten quorums occurred after the passage of Doctrine and Covenants
Section 164 at the World Conference
in April 2010.
, not seventies. Missionary work is the focus of this calling in The Church of Jesus Christ
.
, and its members are geographically split between different congregations. All men ordained to this office are called for life.
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Traditionally, a Latter Day Saint holding this priesthood office is a "traveling minister" and an "especial witness" of Jesus Christ
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, charged with the mission of preaching the gospel to the entire world under the direction of the Twelve Apostles. The office of seventy was anciently conferred upon Church members by Jesus Christ himself, as seventy disciples mentioned in the Gospel of Luke
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The...
. Multiple individuals holding the office of seventy are referred to collectively as seventies.
Place in Latter Day Saint hierarchy
In practical terms, the priesthood office of seventy is one which has varied widely over the course of history. As originally envisioned by Latter Day Saint movement founder Joseph Smith, Jr. in the 1830s, the seventy were to be a body composed of several separate quorumsQuorum (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, a quorum is a group of people ordained or endowed with priesthood authority, and organized to act together as a body. The idea of a quorum was established by Joseph Smith, Jr...
of up to 70 seventies each, all of which would be led by seven presidents. These presidents, chosen from the first quorum, would appoint and direct the other quorums of seventy.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest of the Latter Day Saint denominations
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, the quorums of the seventy are directed and supervised hierarchically by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who are in turn directed by the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
. As introduced by Joseph Smith, the apostles and the seventy had authority only outside the main body of Latter Day Saints in Zion
Zion (Latter Day Saints)
Within the Latter Day Saint movement, Zion is often used to connote a utopian association of the righteous. This association would practice a form of communitarian economics called the United Order meant to ensure that all members maintained an acceptable quality of life, class distinctions were...
, and in the outlying stakes. Members in Zion and the stakes were led by the High Council of Zion (under the direction of the First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
) and stake high councils
High council (Mormonism)
In Mormonism, a high council is one of several different governing bodies that have existed in the church hierarchy on many Latter-day Saint denominations...
.
As a body, the seventy in the LDS Church are considered to be equal in priesthood
Priesthood (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority of God, including the authority to act as a leader in the church and to perform ordinances, and the power to perform miracles. A body of priesthood holders is referred to as a quorum.Priesthood denotes elements...
authority with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This presumably means that if the apostles were killed or incapacitated, the seventy could take over the function of the apostles. However, in such circumstances, the seventy would be required to act unanimously.
Early Latter Day Saint quorums of seventy
Historically, the First Quorum of the Seventy came into being in 1835 when seven men were set apartSetting apart
Setting apart is an ordinance or ritual in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whereby a person is formally chosen and blessed to carry out a specific calling or responsibility in the church....
as the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy.
In 1837, six of the seven presidents were released because it was discovered that they had previously been ordained high priests. Five of these men were ultimately replaced by others. The other two—Levi W. Hancock
Levi W. Hancock
Levi Ward Hancock was an early convert to Mormonism and was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for nearly fifty years. He was also one of the witnesses of the Book of Commandments....
and Joseph Young
Joseph Young
Young was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the eighth child born to John Young and Abigail Howe.In 1830, while he was a preacher for the Methodist Church in Upper Canada, Young was introduced to the Book of Mormon by his younger brother Brigham...
—remained members of the First Seven Presidents for the rest of their lives.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the members of the First and the Second Quorums of the Seventy are general authoritiesGeneral authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
of the church with responsibilities covering the church as a whole, including areas of the church where stakes
Stake (Mormonism)
A stake is an administrative unit composed of multiple congregations in denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. A stake is approximately comparable to a diocese in the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations...
are established.
A member of the additional Quorums of the Seventy (currently numbered Third through Eighth) is called an area seventy. Members of these quorums are ordained to the priesthood office of seventy, but they are not general authorities of the church. Area seventies have authority only within a geographical unit of the church called an area
Area (LDS Church)
An area is an administrative unit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which typically is composed of multiple stakes and missions...
.
Expanding membership
By the time Joseph Smith was killedDeath of Joseph Smith, Jr.
The death of Joseph Smith, Jr. on June 27, 1844 marked a turning point for the Latter Day Saint movement, of which Smith was the founder and leader. When he was attacked and killed by a mob, Smith was the mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and running for President of the United States...
, he had already organized four incomplete quorums of seventy. By 1845, there were ten quorums of seventy. The seventies in the first quorum became the seven presidents for each of the other quorums; that is, there were 63 presidents, 7 for each of the 9 other quorums, and the seven remaining members were the presidency of the first quorum. The members of the first quorum were thus spread out across the church, making meetings of the first quorum rare.
Elders were often ordained to the office of seventy immediately before they left on a mission
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
. Quorums were not restricted to geography, so individual quorums were scattered all over the world.
In 1883, church president John Taylor localized the quorums of seventy. Each stake was given a quorum of seventy, and seventies in that stake would belong to that quorum. Taylor also prescribed that the senior president of the first 63 quorums could meet with the seven presidents of the first quorum and that would constitute a meeting of the first quorum. This never happened, however. This organization continued until church president Spencer W. Kimball
Spencer W. Kimball
Spencer Woolley Kimball was the twelfth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1973 until his death in 1985.-Ancestry:...
's reorganization of the seventies in 1976.
Though the number of seventies in the church grew, the number of presidents remained at seven. In the 1930s, the First Seven Presidents were renamed the First Council of the Seventy.
Eventually, the stake quorums of seventy were no longer numbered and in 1936 they were put under the local responsibility of stake presidents. Subsequently, in 1961, church president David O. McKay
David O. McKay
David Oman McKay was the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , serving from 1951 until his death. Ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, McKay was a general authority for nearly 64 years, longer than anyone else in LDS Church...
ordained those of the First Council of the Seventy who wished to be high priests.
First Quorum of the Seventy formed
In 1975, under the direction of church president Spencer W. KimballSpencer W. Kimball
Spencer Woolley Kimball was the twelfth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1973 until his death in 1985.-Ancestry:...
, the First Quorum of the Seventy was reconstituted. The First Quorum was composed of the former members of the First Council of the Seventy as well as new individuals selected by Kimball. The reason for the change was that the growth of the church necessitated the call of more general authorities
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
. In 1976, the First Council of the Seventy, the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were all merged into a new First Quorum of the Seventy under a seven-member Presidency of the Seventy. In 1978, some of the older members of the seventy were retired as the first general authorities to be given emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
status. However, members appointed through 1981 were still granted life tenure.
Discontinuance of local quorums of seventy
In 1986, all stake quorums of seventy were discontinued. The church encouraged local leaders to have ordained seventies meet with the local elders quorum or to ordain them as high priests.Second Quorum of the Seventy formed
In 1984, some seventies were appointed to the First Quorum of the Seventy who were not to serve for life, but for terms of several years. In 1989, these limited-term members were separated into a new Second Quorum of the Seventy . At the same time, the general practice was instituted of retiring all members of the First Quorum at the October general conferenceGeneral Conference (LDS Church)
General Conference is a semiannual world conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in April and October, where members gather in a series of two-hour sessions to listen to instruction from Church leaders...
following their 70th birthdays, or earlier in the case of serious health problems. Some flexibility on the terms of service has emerged in recent years.
Since 1989, members of the First and Second Quorums have continued as general authorities of the church. Sometimes members are called from the Second Quorum into the First Quorum.
Since the 1976 merger of First Quorum of the Seventy, seventies are the most usual candidates to become members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Since 1976, the three (of 15) apostles who did not serve as a general authority seventies prior to their call are Russell M. Nelson
Russell M. Nelson
Russell Marion Nelson is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon.-Medical career:...
, Dallin H. Oaks
Dallin H. Oaks
Dallin Harris Oaks is an American attorney, jurist, author, professor, public speaker, and religious leader. Since 1984, he has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, and David A. Bednar
David A. Bednar
-External links:*, lds.org**...
, with Nelson and Oaks being ordained apostles in 1984 under church president Spencer W. Kimball
Spencer W. Kimball
Spencer Woolley Kimball was the twelfth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1973 until his death in 1985.-Ancestry:...
, and Bednar in 2004 under church president Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
.
Area seventies and additional quorums of seventy
At the April 1995 general conference of the church, church president Gordon B. HinckleyGordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
announced the creation of a new leadership position known as the area authority. The area authorities were to replace the regional representatives of the Twelve who had served as bridge of leadership between the general authorities and the local stake and mission president
Mission president
Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission...
s. In 1997, it was decided that area authorities would be ordained to the office of seventy. As a result, these area authorities were renamed area authority seventies, and the church announced that these new seventies would become members of the newly-created Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy. Later, the title "area authority seventy" was shortened to area seventy, which is the title currently in use.
The area seventies serve in the various geographic regions of the world called areas
Area (LDS Church)
An area is an administrative unit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which typically is composed of multiple stakes and missions...
in which the church is governed by area presidencies. An area presidency is typically composed of members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy.
In 2004, the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy was divided to create the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy.
In May 2005, the Seventh and Eighth Quorums of the Seventy were created. The Fourth Quorum, which had served Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
had grown to 72 members, and was split into the Fourth and Seventh Quorums. The Eighth Quorum was created to allow better geographic organization of the Third Quorum (not because the number of members exceeded seventy). The Third Quorum previously covered all of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the western islands of the Pacific. The new Eighth Quorum serves Southern Asia, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and the western islands of the Pacific. The Third Quorum continued to serve Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, northern Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Seventies who became apostles or members of the First Presidency
| Name | Dates as a seventy | Specific quorum or position as a seventy | Dates in other position(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| George A. Smith George A. Smith George Albert Smith was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and as a member of the church's First Presidency.-Childhood:Smith was born in Potsdam, St... |
1835–1839 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1839–1868); First Presidency (1868–1875) |
| Amasa M. Lyman | 1835–1842 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1842–1843; 1844–1867); First Presidency (1843–1844) |
| Erastus Snow Erastus Snow Erastus Fairbanks Snow , born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1849 to 1888. Snow was also a leading figure in Mormon colonization of Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.Snow Canyon State Park Erastus... |
1836–1849 | Second Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1849–1888) |
| Wilford Woodruff Wilford Woodruff Wilford Woodruff, Sr. was the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1889 until his death... |
1837–1838 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1839–1889); President of the church (1889–1898) |
| Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow was the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1898 to his death. Snow was the last president of the LDS Church in the nineteenth century.-Family:... |
1840 | None: was ordained a high priest the day after being ordained a seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1849–1898); First Presidency (1873–1877); President of the church (1898–1901) |
| Jedediah M. Grant Jedediah M. Grant Jedediah Morgan Grant was a leader and an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was member of the First Council of the Seventy from 1845 to 1854. He also served in the First Presidency under Church President Brigham Young from 1854 to 1856... |
1845–1854 | First Council of the Seventy | Apostle (1854–1856); First Presidency (1854–1856) |
| Abraham H. Cannon Abraham H. Cannon Abraham Hoagland Cannon , born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
1882–1889 | First Council of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1889–1896) |
| George Q. Morris George Q. Morris George Quayle Morris was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1954 until his death.... |
1889–1908 | Stake seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1954–1962) |
| Richard L. Evans Richard L. Evans Richard Louis Evans was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the president of Rotary International , and the writer, producer, and announcer of Music and the Spoken Word for forty-one years .He received a BA and MA from the University... |
1938–1953 | First Council of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1953–1971) |
| Bruce R. McConkie Bruce R. McConkie Bruce Redd McConkie was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 until his death... |
1946–1972 | First Council of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1972–1985) |
| Neal A. Maxwell Neal A. Maxwell Neal Ash Maxwell was an apostle and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1981 until his death.-Life:... |
1974–1981 | First Council of the Seventy (1974–1976); Presidency of the Seventy (1976–1981) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1981–2004) |
| James E. Faust James E. Faust James Esdras Faust was an American religious leader, lawyer, and politician. Faust was Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 until his death, an LDS Church apostle for 29 years, and a general authority of the church for 35... |
1976–1978 | Presidency of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1978–1995); First Presidency (1995–2007) |
| Alvin R. Dyer Alvin R. Dyer Alvin Rulon Dyer was an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a member of the church's First Presidency from 1968 to 1970.... |
1976–1977 | First Quorum of the Seventy (only person to be ordained a seventy after being ordained an apostle) |
Apostle (1967–1977); First Presidency (1968–1970) |
| M. Russell Ballard M. Russell Ballard Melvin Russell Ballard, Jr. is an American businessman and a religious leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1985. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Ballard is accepted by the church members as a... |
1976–1985 | First Quorum of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (1980–1985) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1985– ) |
| Robert D. Hales Robert D. Hales Robert Dean Hales is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Currently, he is the eighth most senior apostle among the ranks of the Church... |
1976–1985 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1994– ) |
| Joseph B. Wirthlin Joseph B. Wirthlin Joseph Bitner Wirthlin was an American businessman, religious leader and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was sustained to the Quorum on October 4, 1986, and ordained an apostle on October 9, 1986 by Thomas S. Monson, following the... |
1976–1986 | First Quorum of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (1986) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1986–2008) |
| Richard G. Scott Richard G. Scott Richard Gordon Scott is an American nuclear engineer and a current member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Currently, he is the seventh most senior apostle among the ranks of the church.-Early years:Richard G... |
1977–1988 | First Quorum of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (1983–1988) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1988– ) |
| Jeffrey R. Holland Jeffrey R. Holland Jeffrey Roy Holland is an American educator and religious leader. He served as the ninth President of Brigham Young University and is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Holland is accepted by... |
1989–1994 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1994– ) |
| Henry B. Eyring Henry B. Eyring Henry Bennion Eyring is an American educational administrator, author, and religious leader. In 2008 Eyring became First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Eyring was the Second Counselor to Gordon B. Hinckley in the First Presidency from October... |
1992–1995 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1995–2007 ); First Presidency (2007– ) |
| D. Todd Christofferson D. Todd Christofferson David Todd Christofferson is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He has been a general authority of the church since 1993... |
1993–2008 | First Quorum of the Seventy (1993–2008); Presidency of the Seventy (1998–2008) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (2008– ) |
| Neil L. Andersen Neil L. Andersen Neil Linden Andersen is the junior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was accepted by church membership as an apostle on 4 April 2009 during the April 2009 General Conference of the church... |
1993–2009 | First Quorum of the Seventy (1993–2009); Presidency of the Seventy (2005–2009) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (2009–) |
| Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf is a German former aviator and airline executive. He currently serves as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the eleventh most senior apostle in the ranks of the Church.-Early life and education:Uchtdorf... |
1994–2004 | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1994–1996); First Quorum of the Seventy (1996–2004); Presidency of the Seventy (2002–2004) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (2004–2008); First Presidency (2008– ) |
| Quentin L. Cook Quentin L. Cook Quentin LaMar Cook is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Currently, he is the thirteenth most senior apostle in the ranks of the Church.... |
1996–2007 | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1996–1998); First Quorum of the Seventy (1998–2007); Presidency of the Seventy (2007) |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (2007– ) |
| David A. Bednar David A. Bednar -External links:*, lds.org**... |
1997–2004 | Area seventy; Fifth Quorum of the Seventy | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (2004– ) |
Other noteworthy seventies
| Name | Dates as a seventy | Specific quorum or position as a seventy | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elijah Abel Elijah Abel Elijah Abel was the first black elder and seventy in the Latter Day Saint movement, and one of the few black members in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to receive the priesthood.-Life:... |
1836–1884 | Non–general authority seventy | First black Black people The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a... seventy |
| Ángel Abrea Ángel Abrea Ángel Abrea was the first resident of Latin America to become a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
1981– | First Quorum of the Seventy (1981–2003); emeritus general authority (2003– ) |
First resident of Latin America Latin America Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area... general authority |
| Joseph Anderson Joseph Anderson (Mormon) Joseph Anderson was the secretary to the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1922 to 1970 and was a general authority of the church from 1970 until his death.... |
1976–1992 | First Quorum of the Seventy (1976–1978); emeritus general authority (1978–1992) |
Oldest-lived general authority in LDS Church history (102) |
| Merrill J. Bateman Merrill J. Bateman Merrill Joseph Bateman is an emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . From 2003 to 2007, Bateman was a member of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy of the church... |
1992–1994; 1995– | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1992–1994); First Quorum of the Seventy (1995–2007); Presidency of the Seventy (2003–2007); emeritus general authority (2007– ) |
Presiding Bishop Presiding Bishop (LDS Church) The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:... of the church (1994–1995); President of Brigham Young University Brigham Young University Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students... (1996–2003) |
| Samuel O. Bennion Samuel O. Bennion Samuel Otis Bennion was a member of the First Council of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1933 until his death.-Biography:... |
1933–1946 | First Council of the Seventy | |
| Gladden Bishop Gladden Bishop Francis Gladden Bishop was a minor leader in the Latter Day Saint movement after the 1844 succession crisis. Bishop claimed to be the rightful successor to Joseph Smith, Jr.; from the 1850s until his death, Bishop led a succession of small groups of Latter Day Saints and converts... |
c. 1837–1842 | Non-general authority seventy | Abandoned the church in 1842 and established his own Latter Day Saint sect after 1844 |
| Clayton M. Christensen Clayton M. Christensen Clayton M. Christensen is the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, with a joint appointment in the Technology & Operations Management and General Management faculty groups. He is best known for his study of innovation in commercial enterprises... |
Area Seventy; Sixth Quorum of the Seventy | Professor at Harvard Business School Harvard Business School Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive... |
|
| Kim B. Clark Kim B. Clark Kim B. Clark is President of Brigham Young University–Idaho. Before this appointment in 2005, Clark served as Dean of the Harvard Business School from 1995 to 2005 and as the George F... |
2007– | Area Seventy; Fifth Quorum of the Seventy | President of Brigham Young University–Idaho Brigham Young University–Idaho Brigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its... (2007– ); Former dean of Harvard Business School Harvard Business School Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive... |
| John Van Cott John Van Cott John Van Cott was a prominent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, as one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, and also as president of the Scandinavian Mission.-Early life and conversion:John Van Cott was descended from a... |
1847–1883 | Non-general authority seventy (1847–1862); First Council of the Seventy (1862–1883) |
Missionary to Scandinavia Scandinavia Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,... |
| Charles A. Didier Charles A. Didier Charles Amand Didier is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... |
1975–2009 | First Quorum of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (1992–1995; 2001–2007); emeritus general authority (2009-) |
First resident of Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... general authority |
| Paul H. Dunn Paul H. Dunn Paul Harold Dunn was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Dunn was widely considered one of the most dynamic speakers among the general authorities in the 1970s and 1980s... |
1964–1998 | First Council of the Seventy (1968–1976); First Quorum of the Seventy (1964–1989); Presidency of the Seventy (1976–1980); emeritus general authority (1989–1998) |
in 1991, publicly admitted to falsifying and embellishing stories of personal experiences in past sermons and books |
| John H. Groberg John H. Groberg John Holbrook Groberg has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1976.- Biography :Groberg was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1934 and was reared there after the Great Depression... |
1976– | First Quorum of the Seventy (1976–2005); Presidency of the Seventy (2004–2005); emeritus general authority (2005– ) |
2001 film The Other Side of Heaven The Other Side of Heaven The Other Side of Heaven is a 2001 film produced by Academy Award winner Gerald R. Molen and directed by Mitch Davis and stars Christopher Gorham and Anne Hathaway .-Overview:... is based on his missionary experiences in Tonga |
| Zenas H. Gurley | c. 1840–1844 | Non-general authority seventy | Led a group of dissenters after 1844 and in 1853 became an apostle in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |
| Han In Sang Han In Sang Han In Sang was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1991 and 1996. Han was the first Korean Latter-day Saint to become a general authority of the LDS Church.... |
1991– | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1991–1996) | First Korea Korea Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the... n general authority |
| Milton R. Hunter Milton R. Hunter Milton Reed Hunter was an American author, educator, and religious leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a member of the church's First Council of the Seventy from 1945 until his death in 1975. Of Scottish descent, Hunter was born in Holden, Utah, the son of... |
1945–1975 | First Council of the Seventy | co-author of Ancient America and the Book of Mormon |
| Jon Huntsman, Sr. Jon Huntsman, Sr. Jon Meade Huntsman, Sr. is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Huntsman Corporation. He is the father of former United States Ambassador to China and former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman, Jr.... |
Area Seventy; Fifth Quorum of the Seventy | American businessman and philanthropist | |
| Yoshihiko Kikuchi Yoshihiko Kikuchi Yoshihiko Kikuchi 義彥菊池 is an emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was the first native Asian to be called as a general authority of the LDS Church.... |
1977–2011 | First Quorum of the Seventy | First resident of Asia Asia Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population... general authority |
| W. Rolfe Kerr W. Rolfe Kerr William Rolfe Kerr is the president of the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... |
1996– | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1996–1997); First Quorum of the Seventy (1997–2007); emeritus general authority (2007– ) |
Commissioner of Church Education (2005-2008) |
| J. Golden Kimball J. Golden Kimball Jonathan Golden Kimball was a prominent and well known leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a member of the First Council of the Seventy from 1892 until his death in 1938. He is considered one of the most colorful and beloved of the Church's General Authorities... |
1892–1938 | First Council of the Seventy | Legendary general authority wit |
| Adney Y. Komatsu Adney Y. Komatsu Adney Yoshio Komatsu was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1975 until his death. Komatsu was the first person of Asian descent to become a general authority of the LDS Church.Born of Japanese parents in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, Komatsu became a... |
1976– | First Quorum of the Seventy (1976–1993); emeritus general authority (1993– ) |
First general authority of Asia Asia Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population... n descent |
| George P. Lee George P. Lee George Patrick Lee was the first Native American to become a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was a member of the church's First Quorum of Seventy between 1975 and 1989, when he was excommunicated from the church... |
1975–1989 | First Quorum of the Seventy | First Native American Native Americans in the United States Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as... general authority; most recent general authority to be excommunicated |
| Augusto A. Lim Augusto A. Lim Augusto Alandy Lim was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1992 and 1997. He was the first Filipino Latter-day Saint to become a general authority of the LDS Church. It was not until the 2007 call of Michael J... |
1992– | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1992–1997) | First Filipino Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... general authority |
| Gerald N. Lund | 2002–2008 | Second Quorum of the Seventy | Author of The Work and the Glory The Work and the Glory The Work and the Glory is a nine-part novel series by Gerald N. Lund chronicling the birth and early growth of Mormonism through the lives of the fictional Steed family. The Steeds, throughout the series, meet and come to know well many of the prominent early Church members... novels |
| J.W. Marriott, Jr. J.W. Marriott, Jr. John Willard "Bill" Marriott, Jr. is the Chairman and CEO of Marriott International.-Biography:Marriott is the son of Alice Marriott and J. Willard Marriott, the founder of Marriott International. He attended St. Albans School in Washington, DC, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance... |
1997– | Area Seventy; Sixth Quorum of the Seventy | American hotelier Hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms... and businessman |
| Helvécio Martins Helvécio Martins Helvécio Martins was the first person of Black African descent to be called as a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
1990–2005 | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1990–1995) | First general authority of black Black people The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a... Africa Africa Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area... n descent |
| A. Roger Merrill A. Roger Merrill Ariel Roger Merrill was the general president of the Sunday School organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2004 to 2009... |
(? – 2004) | Area Seventy | General President of the Sunday School Sunday School (LDS Church) Sunday School is an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . All members of the church and any interested nonmembers, age 12 and older, are encouraged to participate in Sunday School.-Purpose:... (2004– ) |
| James O. Mason James O. Mason James Ostermann Mason was the United States Assistant Secretary for Health from 1989 to 1993 and the Acting Surgeon General of the United States from 1989 to 1990. As the ASH he was also a former four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps... |
1994– | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1994–2000) | Acting Surgeon General of the United States Surgeon General of the United States The Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government... from 1989 to 1990 |
| Joseph White Musser | 1892–1921 | Non-general authority seventy | Early leader in the Mormon fundamentalist movement after being excommunicated in 1921 |
| Robert C. Oaks Robert C. Oaks Robert Charles Oaks is a retired U.S. Air Force general who served as commander of Air Training Command and United States Air Forces in Europe. Oaks was also a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2000 to 2009. He is a first cousin to LDS Church apostle Dallin H... |
2000–2009 | Second Quorum of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (2004–2007) |
Former commander of Air Training Command Air Training Command Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946... and United States Air Forces in Europe United States Air Forces in Europe The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces... |
| Warren Parrish Warren Parrish Warren Parrish was a leader in the early Latter Day Saint or Mormonism movement. Parrish held a number of positions of responsibility, including that of scribe to church president Joseph Smith Jr. Parrish and other leaders became disillusioned with Smith after the failure of the Kirtland Safety... |
1835–1837 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Scribe for Joseph Smith, Jr.; apostatized in 1837 |
| Rafael E. Pino Rafael E. Pino Rafael Eduardo Pino Gimenez has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since April 2008 and is the first Venezuelan general authority in LDS Church history.... |
2008– | First Quorum of the Seventy | The first Venezuelan general authority. |
| Zera Pulsipher Zera Pulsipher Zera Pulsipher a First Seven Presidents of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
1838–1862 | First Council of the Seventy | A missionary who preached to Wilford Woodruff Wilford Woodruff Wilford Woodruff, Sr. was the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1889 until his death... ; excommunicated in 1862; rebaptized the same year |
| George Reynolds George Reynolds (Mormon) George Reynolds was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a longtime secretary to the First Presidency of the LDS Church, and a party to the 1878 United States Supreme Court case Reynolds v... |
1866–1909 | Non-general authority seventy (1866–1890); First Council of the Seventy (1890–1909) |
Secretary to the First Presidency; party to U.S. Supreme Court polygamy Polygamy Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners... case Reynolds v. United States Reynolds v. United States Reynolds v. United States, , was a Supreme Court of the United States case that held that religious duty was not a suitable defense to a criminal indictment... |
| B. H. Roberts | 1877–1933 | Non-general authority seventy (1877–1888); First Council of the Seventy (1888–1933) |
Prominent Mormon historian and apologist |
| Cecil O. Samuelson Cecil O. Samuelson Cecil Osborn Samuelson, Jr. is the 12th and current president of Brigham Young University and has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1994... |
1994– | First Council of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (2001–2003) |
President of Brigham Young University Brigham Young University Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students... (2003– ) |
| Joseph W. Sitati Joseph W. Sitati Joseph Wafula Sitati has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since April 2009, when he became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He is the first black African general authority of the church and only the second general authority of black African... |
2004– | Area seventy (2004–?); First Quorum of the Seventy (2009–) |
First black African general authority of the church; Second general authority of black African descent |
| Edward Stevenson Edward Stevenson Edward Stevenson was a prominent Mormon missionary of the 19th century. He also served as a general authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as one of the seven presidents of the Seventy.... |
1847–1897 | Non-general authority seventy (1847–1894); First Council of the Seventy (1894–1897) |
Widely-traveled Mormon missionary Mormon missionary The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010... |
| William W. Taylor | 1875–1884 | Non-general authority seventy (1875–1880); First Council of the Seventy (1880–1884) |
Son of John Taylor; Mormon politician |
| Jose A. Teixeira José A. Teixeira José Augusto Teixeira da Silva has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since April 2008. Teixeira is the first Portuguese general authority in LDS Church history.-Early life, education, and career:Teixeira was born in Vila Real,... |
1997– | Area seventy (1997–2005); First Quorum of the Seventy (2008–) |
First Portuguese general authority |
| Earl C. Tingey Earl C. Tingey Earl Carr Tingey has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1991. From 2001 to August 2008, he was the senior president of the Quorums of the Seventy.... |
1990–2008 | First Quorum of the Seventy; Presidency of the Seventy (1996–2008 ) |
Senior and Presiding President of the Presidency of the Seventy (2001–2008) |
| Benjamin Winchester Benjamin Winchester Benjamin Winchester was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. Winchester was the youngest adult member of Zion's Camp, an original member of the first Quorum of the Seventy, editor of the first independent Mormon periodical, the Gospel Reflector, president of a large branch of the... |
1835–1844 | First Quorum of the Seventy | Editor of first independent Mormon periodical; became a Rigdonite Rigdonite Rigdonite is a name given to members of the Latter Day Saint movement who accept Sidney Rigdon as the successor in the church presidency to movement founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. The early history of the Rigdonite movement is shared with the history of the Latter Day Saint movement, but as of the... apostle after 1844; ultimately repudiated Mormonism |
| Richard B. Wirthlin | 1996– | Second Quorum of the Seventy (1996–2001) | Chief strategist and pollster for Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... |
| Joseph Young Joseph Young Young was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the eighth child born to John Young and Abigail Howe.In 1830, while he was a preacher for the Methodist Church in Upper Canada, Young was introduced to the Book of Mormon by his younger brother Brigham... |
1835–1881 | First Council of the Seventy | Senior and Presiding President of the Seventy from 1835 to 1881 |
Current organization
As of 2008, the Quorums of the Seventy are organized into eight quorums with a presidency of seven. The seventy act as emissaries of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency of the church in organizing, training, proselytizing, and administering to millions of people scattered all across the globe. The seventy are the layer between local church administration and general church administration.In general, seventies must first be at least elders in the Melchizedek priesthood, but in practice most have previously been ordained to the office of high priest. Seventies, being equal in authority, act under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as they labor in their apostolic ministry. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ understand that being “equal in authority” (D&C 107:26) means they preside over the Church when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve are not constituted.
This means the seventies have the power to do anything required to organize and administer the church, as long as they do so under the direction of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve (D&C 107:33–34). They do not, as a Quorum, preside over the Church, by their own authority, unless the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are no longer in existence. Apart from the seven presidents of the seventy, seventies do not hold priesthood keys but are delegated the necessary keys to perform their duties. Seventies hold apostolic authority in the sense of being “especial witnesses of Christ.” and the Quorum of the Seventy may become the Presiding authority over the Church if the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve cease to exist.
Presidency of the Seventy
Historically, seven members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were called to serve as the Presidency of the Seventy. This precedent was broken, however, when in 2004 Robert C. OaksRobert C. Oaks
Robert Charles Oaks is a retired U.S. Air Force general who served as commander of Air Training Command and United States Air Forces in Europe. Oaks was also a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2000 to 2009. He is a first cousin to LDS Church apostle Dallin H...
of the Second Quorum of the Seventy was sustained to the Presidency to fill the vacancy created by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf is a German former aviator and airline executive. He currently serves as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the eleventh most senior apostle in the ranks of the Church.-Early life and education:Uchtdorf...
's call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The church now states that the seven presidents are drawn from the “members of the First or Second Quorum of the Seventy.”
The members of the Presidency of the Seventy often serve as heads of various church departments. In 2004, all area presidencies in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
were dissolved; these areas
Area (LDS Church)
An area is an administrative unit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which typically is composed of multiple stakes and missions...
were put directly under the jurisdiction of the Presidency of the Seventy. The management of these areas is currently the primary responsibility of the Presidency of the Seventy.
The Presidency of the Seventy is unique in the church in that not only are there seven members but all seven hold the "keys" of presidency. The man with the longest tenure of uninterrupted service in the presidency is called to preside over the other six as the presiding president or senior president of the seventy.
The current Presidency of the Seventy and their areas of responsibility (as of August 2009) are:
- Ronald A. RasbandRonald A. RasbandRonald Anderson Rasband is a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and since 2005 has been a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of the church since 2005...
Senior President (called to the Presidency on August 15, 2005)
- Assist in all Areas
- Steven E. SnowSteven E. SnowSteven Erastus Snow has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2001....
(called to the Presidency on August 1, 2007)
- Steven E. Snow
- Utah North, Utah Salt Lake City, Utah South Areas
- Walter F. GonzálezWalter F. GonzálezWalter Fermín González Núñez is a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been one of the seven presidents of the seventy of the church since October 2007....
(called to the Presidency on October 6, 2007)
- Walter F. González
- North America Southeast Area
- L. Whitney ClaytonL. Whitney ClaytonLyndon Whitney Clayton III has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2001 and has been a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of the church since April 2008....
(called to the Presidency on April 5, 2008)
- L. Whitney Clayton
- North America Northwest and North America West Area
- Jay E. JensenJay E. JensenJay Edwin Jensen has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1992. On 1 August 2008, he became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of the church....
(called to the Presidency on August 1, 2008
- Jay E. Jensen
- North America Northeast Area
- Donald L. HallstromDonald L. HallstromDonald Larry Hallstrom has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2000. On 4 April 2009, he became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of the church.- Biography :...
(called to the Presidency on April 4, 2009)
- Donald L. Hallstrom
- Idaho and North America Central Areas
- Tad R. CallisterTad R. CallisterTad Richards Callister has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2008...
(called to the Presidency on August 1, 2011)
- Tad R. Callister
- North America Southwest Area
First Quorum of the Seventy
The First Quorum of the Seventy are general authorities, meaning they have authority throughout the church. They usually serve until their 70th birthday or until their health fails them, at which time they are given emeritusEmeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
status and released from active service as a general authority.
Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy serve under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Presidency of the Seventy. They do not visit local units of the church except under explicit direction, and they do not teach or give sermons in church meetings except with permission. Often, members of this quorum will accompany the Twelve on their visits to missions and stakes throughout the church. Other times, they will be sent to act in behalf of the Quorum of the Twelve to stake conferences and to provide training and support to stakes, missions, areas, and temples. As general authorities, members of the First Quorum are often asked to speak at church general conferences.
Emeritus general authorities
Although no longer fully functioning general authorities, emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
general authorities may be asked to be temple president
Temple President
Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of an LDS temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity....
s or mission president
Mission president
Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission...
s. With the exception of Eldred G. Smith
Eldred G. Smith
Eldred Gee Smith holds the position of patriarch emeritus to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held the calling of Patriarch to the Church of the same church between 1947 and 1979. In 2009, Smith surpassed Joseph Anderson as the oldest-lived general authority in the history of...
, all emeritus general authorities in church history have served as members of the First Quorum of the Seventy. They remain general authorities until their deaths, but an emeritus general authority is not a member of a seventies quorum. John K. Carmack
John K. Carmack
John Kay Carmack has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1984. He is currently an emeritus general authority and was the managing director of the church's Perpetual Education Fund....
, the head of the Perpetual Education Fund
Perpetual Education Fund
The Perpetual Education Fund is a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 31, 2001...
and W. Rolfe Kerr
W. Rolfe Kerr
William Rolfe Kerr is the president of the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, a former Church Commissioner of Education, are both emeritus general authorities. Jacob de Jager
Jacob de Jager
Jacob de Jager was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was the first Dutch person to serve as a general authority. De Jager was born in the Netherlands and joined the church while living in Toronto, Canada. His work took him to Australia, Indonesia, Mexico...
served as a bishop after he was given emeritus status. In the general conference meeting in which Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson was the thirteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death and was United States Secretary of Agriculture for both terms of the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower.-Biography:Born on a farm in Whitney, Idaho, Benson was the oldest of...
was first sustained as president of the church, the emeritus general authorities were sustained
Common consent
Common consent is a democratic principle established by the Latter Day Saint movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." As it is most frequently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of...
. However, when Howard W. Hunter
Howard W. Hunter
Howard William Hunter was the fourteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1994 to 1995. His nine month presidential tenure is the shortest in the history of the Church...
was sustained as president of the church the emeritus general authorities were not mentioned in the list of church officials that were sustained.
Second Quorum of the Seventy
Members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy serve a similar role to that of the First Quorum. They are general authorities, which means they have authority throughout the church and are frequently asked to speak in general conference. They are called to serve for approximately five to six years. Upon their release, they cease to be general authorities or members of the Second Quorum. However, they do retain the priesthood office of seventy.Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Quorums of the Seventy
Members of the Third through Eighth Quorums of the Seventy are not general authorities, and generally maintain their non-religious vocations. Unlike apostles and members of the First and Second Quorums, they are not required to relocate to Salt Lake City in order to be close to church headquarters. Members of these quorums are area seventies. As assigned, they carry out the duties typically carried out by members of the First and Second Quorums of Seventy, which include reorganizing and creating stakes, training stake presidencies, presiding at stake conferences, serving in area presidencies, touring missions, and training mission presidents. They serve in their callings for approximately six to ten years. Upon their release, they cease to be area seventies and members of a quorum of the seventy, but they retain the priesthood office of seventy.- Third Quorum of the Seventy
- The Third Quorum members live and serve in the AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
Southeast, AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
West, EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
Central, EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
East, and EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
West Areas of the Church.
- Fourth Quorum of the Seventy
- The Fourth Quorum members live and serve in the MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
North, MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
South, Central AmericaCentral AmericaCentral America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, CaribbeanCaribbeanThe Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, South AmericaSouth AmericaSouth America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
North, and South AmericaSouth AmericaSouth America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
West Areas of the Church.
- Fifth Quorum of the Seventy
- The Fifth Quorum members live and serve in the North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Northwest, North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
West, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
North, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
Salt Lake City, and UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
South Areas of the Church.
- Sixth Quorum of the Seventy
- The Sixth Quorum members live and serve in the North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Central, North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
East, North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Northeast, North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Southeast, and North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Southwest Areas of the Church.
- Seventh Quorum of the Seventy
- Members of the Seventh Quorum live and serve in the BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
North, BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
South, ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, and South AmericaSouth AmericaSouth America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
South Areas of the Church.
- Eighth Quorum of the Seventy
- The Eighth Quorum of the Seventy live and serve in the AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
North, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
/Pacific islandsPacific IslandsThe Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
, and PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
areas of the Church.
Sealing authority
Members of the First and Second Quorums of Seventy receive the sealing powerSealing power
In Mormonism, the sealing power is the means whereby all "covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations" attain "efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead." All things that are not sealed by this power...
which authorizes them to seal husbands to wives, and children to their parents, in any of the church's temples
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
. Members of the other quorums of seventy do not receive this as part of their calling.
The Community of Christ
Within the Community of ChristCommunity of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
, a seventy is also considered to be an elder but are not High Priests. Part of function of the seventy is a missionary role and they work closely with the apostle in charge of the mission field they are in. They are organized into ten quorums, each quorum is presided over by a president. These presidents make up the Council of Presidents of Seventy, and are collectively led by the Senior President of the Presidents of Seventy. All ten quorums are equal with one another. When someone is ordained a seventy, that person automatically becomes a member of one of the Ten Quorums, and remains a member of one of the Quorums (although the specific quorum may change based on residency) so long as that person remains a seventy. In other words, it is not possible to be a seventy and not belong to one of these quorums.
The current roster of Presidents of Seventy include:
- Quorum I - Mbenga Urbain
- Quorum II - Amson Mallick
- Quorum III - Keith McMillan
- Quorum IV - Larry McGuire
- Quorum V - Karin Peter
- Quorum VI - Robin Linkhart
- Quorum VII - Luis Dias
- Quorum VIII - Ruben Landeros
- Quorum IX - Kris Judd
- Quorum X - John Wight, Senior President
Historically, there have always been 7 quorums, with a maximum of 70 members each. However, on January 17, 2010, President–Prophet Stephen M. Veazey
Stephen M. Veazey
Stephen Mark Veazey is the current Prophet-President of the Community of Christ, headquartered in Independence, Missouri. Veazey's name was presented to the church in March 2005 by a joint council of church leaders led by the Council of Twelve Apostles, as the next Prophet-President...
announced that the number of quorums (and presidents) could be flexible and based on the current needs of the church. The change from seven to ten quorums occurred after the passage of Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement...
Section 164 at the World Conference
World Conference (Community of Christ)
World Conference is the highest legislative body in the Community of Christ and is empowered to act for the entire church. It operates according to a principle known as "common consent" and is presided over by the First Presidency...
in April 2010.
The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)
The seventy in this church are called the Seventy Evangelists and strictly limited to that number. They are ordained evangelistsEvangelist (Latter Day Saints)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, an evangelist is an ordained office of the ministry. In some denominations of the movement, an evangelist is referred to as a patriarch . However, the latter term was deprecated by the Community of Christ after the church began ordaining women to the priesthood...
, not seventies. Missionary work is the focus of this calling in The Church of Jesus Christ
Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)
The Church of Jesus Christ is a Christian religious denomination headquartered in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, United States. The Church of Jesus Christ is a Restorationist church and is historically part of the Latter Day Saint movement...
.
Apostolic United Brethren
There is currently one functioning Quorum of Seventy in the Apostolic United BrethrenApostolic United Brethren
The Apostolic United Brethren is a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist church within the Latter Day Saint movement. The sect is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, and its members are geographically split between different congregations. All men ordained to this office are called for life.
External links
- S. Dilworth YoungS. Dilworth YoungSeymour Dilworth Young was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 36 years, from 1945 until his death....
, “The First Quorum of the Seventy: A Conversation with Elder S. Dilworth Young,” Ensign, Dec. 1975, p. 58–59 - L. Aldin PorterL. Aldin PorterLloyd Aldin Porter has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1987. Porter was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho. From 1950 to 1952, he served as a LDS Church missionary in the West Central States Mission of the church.Porter...
, “A History of the Latter-day Seventy,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, p. 15 - Earl C. TingeyEarl C. TingeyEarl Carr Tingey has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1991. From 2001 to August 2008, he was the senior president of the Quorums of the Seventy....
, “The Saga of Revelation: The Unfolding Role of the Seventy,” LiahonaLiahona (magazine)Liahona is the official international magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is named after the word Liahona from the Book of Mormon. The Liahona is published in 51 different languages from one to twelve times per year depending on the language...
, Sep. 2009, pp. 18–24