Seventy

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.

As for history in 1835 Seven members were called as members of Presidency of seventy. They were General Authorities. And 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.

What happened there was seventies and high priests were bickering about which is higher and likely Joseph Smith said it is contrary to the order of heaven to bicker about it.

Problem there was General Authorities were called to be Seventies that had no leadership experience in bishoprics or high councils or stake presidencies since High Priests have to fill those offices. Some were mission presidents and District Presidents though callings that can be held be Elders and Seventies. Brigham Young was aware of that problem and tried to change it before he died. 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. Unless keys were given to that direction and a debate was on that they did.

They primarily presided over STake Seventies quoroms that were in turn quided by stake seventy quorom's presidents. They also appointed Apostles to Stake Conferences and trained and taught gospel principles.

IN 1960 David O McKay announced that members of the Seventies quorom 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 quoroms were called to the seventy and occasionally elders were. In 1975 President Kimball announced the creation of the first Quorom of the seventy with 4 additional members in addition to the current counsel. Since 1941 assistants to the Twelve aided the quorom of the twelve they were high priests. The next year President Kimball said Assistants to the Twelve would be members of the First Quorom of the seventy since there duties were pretty much the same. Particularly since Seventies were ordained High Priests.

In 1978 some were given Emeritus Status in order for more brethern to serve and for a well being of there health. Since Succesion and Seniority is not important in that quorom 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 Quorom of the Seventy was created too of those called for a period of years. They are presided over by now the Presidency of the Seventy whose membership rotates and not a lifelong calling. In fact many return to the first Quorom of the seventy.

For many years Regional Represantives 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. Put them on quoroms based on geography. They still keep there employment and live at home and serve for a period of years usually 5.

Members of the First Quorom 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 there native countries or area's they have lived much of there life.

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

And the Stake Seventies office between Elder and High Priest was discontinued by President Benson in 1986 as studying the scriptures it was not a local calling but churchwide.