assistance, to fill the several calls for preaching and administering the gospel, instead of any others” (D&C “The Quorums of the Seventy” 107:38). The Seventy do not receive additional By Elder Earl C. Tingey priesthood keys, but with each assignment they receive Of the Presidency of the Seventy from the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve (Ensign, Aug. 2005, 48-50) Apostles, they are delegated authority to accomplish the assignment given. The seventh in a series of The General Authority Seventies meet in regular articles about priesthood quorum meetings. Those assigned at Church headquarters quorums and their purposes. meet weekly. These quorum meetings may consist of doctrinal and Church history instruction and training and, As a Latter-day Saint, from time to time, counsel from the Twelve Apostles and you have likely heard General the Presidency of the Seventy. Authority and Area Seventies speak in local or general Church Additional Quorums of the Seventy meetings, or you may have read articles written by these In 1997 the First Presidency and Quorum of the leaders in the Church magazines. But do you understand Twelve Apostles organized the Third, Fourth, and Fifth the manner in which the Quorums of the Seventy are Quorums of the Seventy. In 2004 the Sixth Quorum of the organized or the functions Seventies serve? Seventy was organized, and in April 2005 the Seventh and First, some brief background: In February 1835 the Eighth Quorums of the Seventy were organized. There are Prophet Joseph Smith called the first Seventies in this currently 195 members of these six quorums. Members of dispensation. In the years that followed, the calling of the these quorums are faithful brethren who live throughout the Seventies developed to meet the changing needs of the world. They are called Area Seventies, thus distinguishing growing Church. In 1975 President Spencer W. Kimball them from General Authority Seventies. reconstituted the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Area Seventies live at home and serve on a following year, the 21 men who had been called as Church-service basis, much like a bishop or a stake Assistants to the Twelve were ordained Seventies and president, for a designated number of years. They receive made members of the First Quorum. Ten years later, in assignments similar to those received by General Authority 1986 , the seventies quorums in stakes throughout the Seventies, with the exception that they serve in their local Church were discontinued, and those serving as seventies areas rather than worldwide. returned to elders quorums or were ordained high priests. These six quorums are organized geographically. Three years later, in 1989 , the Second Quorum of The Third Quorum includes Area Seventies located in the Seventy was organized. Members of this quorum serve Europe and Africa. The members of the Fourth Quorum under a five-year call. Members of the First Quorum serve live in Mexico, Central America, and the northern part of until they reach age 70, at which time they are designated South America. The Fifth Quorum members are in the as emeritus members. There may be occasional year-by- western parts of the United States and Canada, and the year extensions as determined by the First Presidency and members of the Sixth Quorum live in the central, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. southern, and eastern parts of the United States and Canada Members of these two Quorums of the Seventy are and in the Caribbean. The Seventh Quorum members are General Authorities and are given assignments by the First located in Brazil and the southern areas of South America, Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They and the Eighth Quorum members are located in Asia, serve full time and may be assigned to supervise the Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands, and the Church anywhere in the world. Philippines. Members of these six quorums meet in quorum Duties of the Seventy meetings annually in Salt Lake City during April general Latter-day revelations provide that the Seventy are conference and also annually somewhere in the designated “to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses [of geographical part of the Church where they live. Jesus Christ] … in all the world” (D&C 107:25). The revelations contain provisions for additional Furthermore, they “are to act in the name of the Lord, Quorums of the Seventy, “until seven times seventy, if the under the direction of the Twelve … in building up the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it” (D&C church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all 107:96). nations” (D&C 107:34). The Presidency of the Seventy The unique and singular calling of the Seventy is The Presidency of the Seventy presides over all clearly established in the revelations: “It is the duty of the members of these Quorums of the Seventy. The Presidency [Twelve] to call upon the Seventy, when they need 1 of the Seventy consists of seven members of the First or Second Quorum of the Seventy who are called by the First Presidency and are given authority to preside over the Seventy.

“To Bear Record of My Name” Following the pattern established in the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the modern-day Quorums of the Seventy are “instituted for traveling elders to bear record of my name in all the world, wherever … mine apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face” (D&C 124:139). Members of the Quorums of the Seventy seek to act in their assignments in harmony and unity and “in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity” (D&C 107:30; see also D&C 107:27). The Seventy consider it a great privilege to serve under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, I am grateful for the inspired organization of this Church.

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