The 1984 Announcement of three to five year calls for
some members of
the First Quorum of the Seventy
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Saturday morning session of General Conference
"As you know, there are two vacancies in the Council of the Twelve Apostles, incident to the passing of Elder LeGrand Richards and Elder Mark E. Petersen. We shall take action to fill these vacancies this morning, and we shall also add to the First Quorum of the Seventy.
In the case of the Seventy, we are
putting into effect the practice long generally followed and accepted in the
Church with reference to other offices. Members of the First Quorum of the
Seventy are General Authorities in every sense: in calling, in responsibility,
in power and authority. Theirs have been permanent appointments, and those
presently serving will continue so to serve. However, tenure of appointment is not
important insofar as the work is concerned. Calls to serve as bishop, stake
president, Regional Representative, mission president, temple president, and
president of the auxiliary organizations are for a period of years. The
individual is then honorably released and others are afforded the opportunity
of service. After much prayerful consideration, we have called six men, mature
and tested through long years of service, to become members of the First Quorum
of the Seventy, to serve for periods of three to five years, just as a mission
president or temple president would do, and then to be released with honor and
appreciation. While they so serve, they will be General Authorities with every
right, power, and authority necessary to function. They will be expected to
give their full time to this work while they are in office. This procedure, we
feel, will provide a constant infusion of new talent and much-widened
opportunity for men of ability and faith to serve in this these offices.
(These six brethren were John K. Carmack, Russell C. Taylor, Robert B. Harbertson,
Devere Harris, Spencer H. Osborn, and Philip T. Sonntag)
--- The Ensign, May 1984, pages 4-5
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