Difference between revisions of "Seventy"

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Seventy is an office in the Melchizedek priesthood with responsibilities as especial witnesses of Christ in all the world. Members of the Seventy serve in one of eight quorums, with members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy being designated as General Authorities. Members of the Third through the Eighth Quorums of the Seventy are designated Area Seventies.

History

In 1835 seven men were called as members of the Presidency of the Seventy. They were General Authorities. In addition to Elder and High Priest an office of the Melchezedik Priesthood was seventy in between Elder and High Priest.

In teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, he allegedly said it is contrary to the order of heaven for a seventy to be a high priest. However historical records show that that was probably a clerical error. At the time, there were seventies and high priest were bickering about which was higher and it is likely Joseph Smith had said it was contrary to the order of heaven to bicker about it.

Another problem was that General Authorities were called to be Seventies that had no leadership experience in bishoprics, high councils, or stake presidencies since High Priests had to fill those offices. Some were mission presidents and District Presidents which are callings that can be held be Elders and Seventies. Brigham Young was aware of that problem and tried to change it before he died. There is evidence John Taylor did too.

However, members of the Council of the Seventy never were high priests and thus could not ordain Stake Presidents or other High Priests.

They primarily presided over Stake Seventies quorums that were in turn guided by stake seventy quorum's presidents. They also accompanied Apostles to Stake Conferences and trained and taught gospel principles.

In 1960 David O. McKay announced that members of the Seventies quorum would be high priests. Someone asked is it contrary to the order of the heaven for seventies to be high priests. Harold B. Lee said what was contrary to the order in heaven in 1840 may not be contrary in 1960. That change was made in order for them to ordain stake leaders and high priests.

Still, only people from seventies quorums were called to the seventy and occasionally elders were. In 1975 President [[Spencer W. Kimball] announced the creation of the first Quorum of the seventy with 4 additional members in addition to the current counsel. Since 1941, assistants to the Twelve, which aided the Quorum of the Twelve, were high priests. The next year President Kimball said Assistants to the Twelve would be members of the First Quorum of the seventy since their duties were pretty much the same. Particularly since Seventies were ordained High Priests.

In 1978 some were given Emeritus Status in order for more brethren to serve and for health reasons. Since succession and seniority is not important in that quorum nothing was effected there.

In 1984 Several were called for a period of years usually 3 to 5 and not for life. In 1989 a Second Quorum of the Seventy was created of those called for a period of years. They are presided over now by the Presidency of the Seventy whose membership rotates as it is not a lifelong calling. In fact, many return to the first Quorum of the seventy.

For many years Regional Representatives assisted General Authorities in training and conducting stake meetings. In 1995 they were released and replaced with area authorities and two years later President Hinckley named them area authority seventies and put them in quorums based on geography. They still keep their employment, live at home and serve for a period of years (usually five).

The Stake Seventies office between Elder and High Priest was discontinued by President Ezra Taft Benson in 1986 as studying the scriptures it was not a local calling but church-wide.

Individual Quorums

Members of the First Quorum now typically serve until the year they turn 70 though recently there has been flexibility and many serve a few years beyond there 70th birthday. Many emeritus Seventies become temple presidents too. Particularly in their native countries or area's where they have lived much of there life.

Members of the Second Quorum serve average of 5 or 6 years as well though many have served longer recently as well. While the Quorum of the twelve apostles is fixed in numbers barring revelation the number of Quorum of seventies can expand as needed easing the work of the first presidency and twelve.

First Quorum of the Seventy

Source: Deseret Morning News 2008 Church Almanac, 42-59 and Deseret Morning News, "Brief biographies of new leaders called to LDS Church hierarchy", Saturday, April 5, 2008

Other References

• "Area Authority Seventies: 'To Bear Record of My Name in All the World'" (lds.org)