President Kimball's 1975 Announcement
of the organization of the First Quorum of the Seventy
President Spencer W. Kimball
Friday morning session of General Conference
"Today we announce to you
the appointment of four new General Authorities to assist in the carrying forth
of the work of the Lord, especially in the missionary area. Elder Gene R. Cook
of
In the November 1975 edition of
The Ensign, this additional information was given: "For 140 years a
significant arm of priesthood organization at the general Church level has
remained dormant, awaiting the day when the Lord would
indicate that its time had come. Thus, for the brethren of the priesthood, it
was a moment of great interest when President Kimball announced in the Friday
morning session that 'the First Quorum of the Seventy will be gradually
organized, eventually with 70 members...' Information about the ordained office
of seventy in the Melchizedek Priesthood was first given to Saints in this last
dispensation on
One month later, on March 28, the
Prophet recorded the revelation known as the 107th section of the Doctrine and
Covenants in which the apostles were identified as the 'traveling high council'
of the Church, and the First Quorum of the Seventy was identified as the
'traveling ministers' of the Church. The apostles were to be 'special witnesses
of the name of Christ in all the world,' and the
Seventies were called to 'preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the
Gentiles and in all the world.'
A tithe of the quorum's number,
seven presidents, was to preside over the seventy, and would be known as the First
Council of the Seventy. After the death of Joseph Smith, the only members
called to the First Quorum of the Seventy were seven presidents called to serve
as the First Council of the Seventy. In further reference to the First Council
the Lord indicated that their senior member was to preside over the other six
presidents within that Council, and that the council of seven presidents would,
of course, preside over the remaining 63 members.
Since the early days of the
Church, the First Quorum of the Seventy has had no members in its quorum other
than the seven presidents filling the First Council. President Kimball's
announcement indicates that in the timetable of the Lord, it is now desirous
for additional 'traveling ministers' to be added to the General Authorities of
the Church to share the great burdens that carrying the gospel to the world
involves.
As in all other priesthood
quorums except the Quorum of the Twelve, membership in the First Quorum of the
Seventy will not be marked by seniority. Membership in the First Council of the
Seventy is, however, listed by seniority. Careful reading of the 107th section
also shows that general quorums of seventy 'traveling ministers' may also be
called to serve the entire Church under the direction of the First Council of
the Seventy 'if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it.'
--- Jay M. Todd
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