Seventy
Contents
History
In 1835 seven men were called as members of the Presidency of the Seventy. They were General Authorities to the Church.
In the early days of the restored church, General Authorities were called to be Seventies who 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 by Elders. Seventies who never were high priests could not ordain stake presidents or other high priests. Brigham Young was aware of this problem and tried to change it before he died. There is evidence John Taylor did, also.
Seventies in the early days of the restored church primarily presided over stake seventies quorums, which were in turn guided by stake seventy quorum 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 if it were 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 men from stake 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. Since 1941, Assistants to the Twelve, who aided the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 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 very similar. In 1978 some were given emeritus status in order for more brethren to serve and for health reasons.
In 1984 several members of the quorum were called for a period of years (usually 3 to 5) rather than 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; two years later, President Hinckley named them "area authority seventies" and installed 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 seventy's office between Elder and High Priest was discontinued by President Ezra Taft Benson in 1986.
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 their 70th birthday. Many emeritus Seventies become temple presidents, also.
Members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy serve an average of 5 or 6 years and even longer. The number of Quorums of Seventy can expand as needed, easing the work of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Increasing the numbers of quorums of seventy has created a seamless way to manage a quickly burgeoning church membership.
First Quorum of the Seventy
Surname | Given Names | Sustained | Age Sust. | Born | City Born | State/Country | Children |
Aidukaitis | Marcos A. | 5 Apr 2008 | 48 | 30 Aug 1959 | Porto Alegre | Brazil | 5 |
Alonso | José L. | 2 Apr 2011 | 52 | 17 Nov 1958 | México City | México | 2 |
Amado | Carlos Humberto | 3 Oct 1992 | 48 | 25 Sep 1944 | Guatemala City | Guatemala | 5 |
Ardern | Ian S. | 2 Apr 2011 | 57 | 28 Feb 1954 | Te Aroha | New Zealand | 4 |
Arnold | Mervyn B. | 4 Apr 2009 | 60 | 19 Jul 1948 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 6 |
Baxter | David S. | 1 Apr 2006 | 51 | 7 Feb 1955 | Stirling | Scotland | 4 |
Bowen | Shayne M. | 1 Apr 2006 | 51 | 29 Aug 1954 | Rigby | Idaho | 7 |
Cardon | Craig A | 31 Mar 2012 | 63 | 30 Dec 1948 | Mesa | Arizona | 8 |
Choi | Yoon Hwan | 4 Apr 2009 | 51 | 18 May 1957 | Seoul | Korea | 3 |
Clarke | Don R. | 2 Apr 2011 | 65 | 11 Dec 1945 | Rexburg | Idaho | 6 |
Clayton | L. Whitney | 31 Mar 2001 | 51 | 24 Feb 1950 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 7 |
Cook | Carl B. | 2 Apr 2011 | 53 | 15 Oct 1957 | Ogden | Utah | 5 |
Corbridge | Lawrence E. | 5 Apr 2008 | 58 | 6 Apr 1949 | Moscow | Idaho | 5 |
Costa | Claudio R. M. | 31 Mar 2001 | 52 | 25 Mar 1949 | Santos | Brazil | 4 |
Curtis | Legrand R. Jr. | 2 Apr 2011 | 58 | 1 Aug 1952 | Ogden | Utah | 5 |
De Hoyos | Benjamin | 2 Apr 2005 | 52 | 20 Feb 1953 | Monterrey | Mexico | 6 |
Dube | Edward | 6 Apr 2013 | 50 | 12 May 1962 | Chiramanzu | Zimbabwe | 4 |
Duncan | Kevin R. | 3 Apr 2010 | 49 | 6 Oct 1960 | Ogden | Utah | 5 |
Echo Hawk | Larry J. | 31 Mar 2012 | 63 | 2 Aug 1948 | Cody | Wyoming | 6 |
Ellis | Stanley G. | 31 Mar 2012 | 65 | 22 Jan 1947 | Burley | Idaho | 9 |
Evans | David F. | 2 Apr 2005 | 53 | 11 Aug 1951 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 8 |
Falabella | Enrique R. | 31 Mar 2007 | 56 | 9 May 1950 | Guatemala City | Guatemala | 5 |
Gavarret | Eduardo | 5 Apr 2008 | 51 | 11 May 1956 | Minas | Uruguay | 3 |
Gay | Robert C. | 31 Mar 2012 | 60 | 1 Sep 1951 | Los Angeles | California | 7 |
Godoy | Carlos A. | 5 Apr 2008 | 47 | 4 Feb 1961 | Porto Alegre | Brazil | 4 |
Golden | Christoffel, Jr. | 31 Mar 2001 | 48 | 1 Jun 1952 | Johannesburg | South Africa | 4 |
Gong | Gerrit W. | 3 Apr 2010 | 56 | 23 Dec 1953 | Redwood City | California | 4 |
González | Walter F. | 31 Mar 2001 | 48 | 18 Nov 1952 | Montevideo | Uruguay | 4 |
Grow | Cecil Scott | 2 Apr 2005 | 55 | 5 May 1949 | Moscow | Idaho | 8 |
Hallstron | Donald L. | 1 Apr 2000 | 50 | 27 Jul 1949 | Honolulu | Hawaii | 4 |
Hamula | James J. | 5 Apr 2008 | 50 | 20 Nov 1957 | Long Beach | California | 6 |
Johnson | Daniel L. | 1 Apr 2006 | 59 | 15 Dec 1946 | Colonia Juarez | Mexico | 6 |
Johnson | Paul V. | 2 Apr 2005 | 50 | 24 Jun 1954 | Gainesville | Florida | 9 |
Kearon | Patrick | 3 Apr 2010 | 48 | 18 Jul 1961 | Carlisle | United Kingdom | 4 |
Klebingat | Jörg | 5 Apr 2014 | 46 | 19 Dec 1967 | Zweibrücken | Germany | 3 |
Kopischke | Erich W. | 31 Mar 2007 | 50 | 20 Oct 1956 | Elmshom | Germany | 7 |
Maynes | Richard J. | 31 Mar 2001 | 50 | 29 Oct 1950 | Berkeley | California | 4 |
Nash | Marcus B. | 1 Apr 2006 | 49 | 26 Mar 1957 | Seattle | Washington | 5 |
Nielsen | S. Gifford | 6 Apr 2013 | 58 | 25 Oct 1954 | Provo | Utah | 6 |
Nielson | Brent H. | 4 Apr 2009 | 54 | 8 Dec 1954 | Burley | Idaho | 6 |
Packer | Allan F. | 5 Apr 2008 | 59 | 7 Jul 1948 | Brigham City | Utah | 8 |
Pearson | Kevin W. | 5 Apr 2008 | 50 | 10 Apr 1957 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 6 |
Perkins | Anthony D. | 1 Apr 2006 | 45 | 22 Jul 1960 | Cortez | Colorado | 6 |
Pieper | Paul B. | 2 Apr 2005 | 47 | 7 Oct 1957 | Pocatello | Idaho | 6 |
Pino | Rafael E. | 5 Apr 2008 | 52 | 27 Oct 1955 | Valencia | Venezuela | 3 |
Porter | Bruce D. | 5 Apr 2003 | 50 | 18 Jul 1952 | Albuquerque | New Mexico | 4 |
Rasband | Ronald A. | 1 Apr 2000 | 49 | 6 Feb 1951 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 5 |
Renlund | Dale G. | 4 Apr 2009 | 56 | 13 Nov 1952 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 1 |
Ringwood | Michael T. | 4 Apr 2009 | 51 | 14 Feb 1958 | Provo | Utah | 5 |
Robbins | Lynn G. | 1 Apr 2000 | 47 | 27 Oct 1952 | Cortez | Colorado | 6 |
Sitati | Joseph W. | 4 Apr 2009 | 56 | 16 May 1952 | Bungoma | Kenya | 5 |
Snow | Steven E. | 31 Mar 2001 | 51 | 23 Nov 1949 | St. George | Utah | 4 |
Soares | Ulisses | 2 Apr 2005 | 46 | 2 Oct 1958 | Sao Paulo | Brazil | 3 |
Teh | Michael J. | 31 Mar 2007 | 41 | 25 Jun 1965 | Davao City | Philippines | 3 |
Teixeira | Jose A. | 5 Apr 2008 | 47 | 24 Feb 1961 | Vila Real | Portugal | 3 |
Uceda | Juan A. | 3 April 2010 | 56 | 10 July 1953 | Lima | Peru | 5 |
Valenzuela | Arnulfo | 6 Apr 2013 | 53 | 4 May 1959 | Chihuahua | Mexico | 3 |
Viñas | Francisco Jose | 5 Apr 1998 | 51 | 28 Dec 1946 | Montevideo | Uruguay | 3 |
Waddell | W. Christopher | 2 Apr 2011 | 51 | 28 Jun 1959 | Los Angeles | California | 4 |
Walker | William R. | 6 Apr 2008 | 63 | 25 May 1944 | Lethbridge | Canada | 5 |
Whiting | Scott D. | 31 Mar 2012 | 50 | 1 Apr 1961 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 5 |
Wong | Chi Hong (Sam) | 5 Apr 2014 | 51 | 25 May 1962 | Hong Kong | China | 4 |
Yamashita | Kazuhiko | 2 Apr 2011 | 57 | 15 Sep 1953 | Sumida | Japan | 6 |
Zeballos | Jorge F. | 5 Apr 2008 | 52 | 19 Jul 1955 | Ovalle | Chile | 5 |
Zivic | Claudio D. | 31 Mar 2007 | 58 | 19 Dec 1948 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 5 |
Zwick | William Craig | 1 Apr 1995 | 47 | 30 Jun 1947 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 4 |
Total | 66 |
(See also Jorge Zeballos.)
Second Quorum of the Seventy
Surname | Given Names | Sustained | Age Sust. | Born | City Born | State/Country | Children |
Andersen | Wilford W. | 4 Apr 2009 | 59 | 22 Aug 1949 | Mesa | Arizona | 9 |
Aoyagi | Koichi | 4 Apr 2009 | 64 | 24 Mar 1945 | Matsumoto | Japan | 4 |
Bennett | Randall K. | 2 Apr 2011 | 55 | June 1955 | Magrath, Alberta | Canada | 4 |
Carlson | Bruce A. | 4 Apr 2009 | 59 | 3 Oct 1949 | Hibbing | Minnesota | 3 |
Christensen | Craig C. | 5 Oct 2002 | 46 | 18 Mar 1956 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 4 |
Cornish | J. Devn | 2 Apr 2011 | 59 | Apr 1951 | Salt Lake | City | 6 |
Dyches | Timothy | 6 Apr 2013 | 62 | 11 Dec 1945 | Rexburg | Idaho | 6 |
Dunn | James M. | 5 Oct 2002 | 62 | 15 Jan 1951 | Murray | Utah | 3 |
Foster | Bradley D. | 4 Apr 2009 | 60 | 5 Apr 1949 | Rigby | Idaho | 4 |
Funk | Randy D. | 6 Apr 2013 | 60 | 1 Aug 1952 | Logan | Utah | 6 |
Haleck | O. Vincent | 2 Apr 2011 | 62 | Jan 1949 | Utulei | American Samoa | 3 |
Hamilton | Kevin S. | 6 Apr 2013 | 58 | Mar 1955 | Wenatchee | Washington | 6 |
Jones | Spencer V. | 5 Oct 2002 | 57 | 17 Sep 1945 | Safford | Arizona | 3 |
Ko | Won Young | 2 Apr 2005 | 59 | 15 Oct 1945 | Pusan | South Korea | 2 |
Lund | Gerald N. | 6 Apr 2002 | 62 | 12 Sep 1939 | Fountain Green | Utah | 7 |
Oaks | Robert C. | 1 Apr 2000 | 64 | 14 Feb 1936 | Los Angeles | California | 6 |
Parmley | William W. | 5 Apr 2003 | 67 | 22 Jan 1936 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 4 |
Paul | Wolfgang H. | 2 Apr 2005 | 65 | 28 Feb 1940 | Munster | Germany | 3 |
Shumway | W. Douglas | 5 Apr 2003 | 62 | 8 May 1940 | St. Johns | Arizona | 8 |
Snow | Lowell M. | 2 Apr 2005 | 61 | 2 Jan 1944 | St. George | Utah | 5 |
Steuer | Robert R. | 31 Mar 2001 | 57 | 6 Dec 1943 | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | 5 |
Sybrowsky | Paul K. | 2 Apr 2005 | 60 | 22 Aug 1944 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 9 |
Walker | William R. | 6 Apr 2002 | 57 | 25 May 1944 | Raymond | Canada | 5 |
Watson | Kent D. | 5 Apr 2008 | 64 | 8 May 1943 | Cedar City | Utah | 5 |
Wood | Robert S. | 3 Apr 1999 | 62 | 25 Dec 1936 | Idaho Falls | Idaho | 4 |
Total | 25 |
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