The Seventy's Course in Theology

FIRST YEAR.

Outline History of the Seventy

AND

A Survey of the Books of Holy Scripture

COMPILED AND EDITED BY

ELDER B. H. ROBERTS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

To become a Seventy means mental activity, intellectual development, and the attainment of spiritual power

Salt Lake City

1907

INTRODUCTION.

To become a Seventy means mental activity, intellectual development, and the attainment of spiritual power.

The first three opening lessons of this year's course of study are devoted to the history, organization and duties of the Seventy. They should be thoroughly mastered by the present membership of the quorums, and as fast as new members are brought in their attention should be called to these lessons, and they be required to master them also that all our Seventies may have a proper understanding of the dignity and importance and the responsibility of this office in the Holy Priesthood.

The body of the present year's course of study deals with the four books of the scriptures, recognized by the Church as the only authoritative written embodiment of the doctrines of the Church; namely, the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testament, the American volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon, modern revelation, contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The year's course of study is intended to be a rapid survey, not an exhaustive treatment, of these books; and this in order that all our Seventies may as soon as possible be made acquainted in a general, even if only in a superficial way, for the present, with this body of sacred literature; that they may know something of its history and character. The dominating idea of the whole course being,

A Workman Should Know His Tools.

In the past, a too exclusive adherence to merely "text methods" of work has been followed. That is to say, there has been a selection of separate and disconnected texts marshalled together in support of a given subject without sufficient care being taken to know the context and historical association of the scriptural utterances, often attended with great danger of forming misconceptions of such texts, resulting in wrong deductions and conclusions. The present aim is to make our Seventies familiar with the spirit of the scriptures, learning something of the individual books, as a whole, something of their general import and their relationship one to another; that from this general acquaintance with the whole volume of scripture, the Seventies may become more competent to use separate passages more intelligently and effectively, and with less likelihood of making mistakes.

The fear has been expressed that since so many lessons are devoted to the Bible, nearly half the years' course, there will be some danger of the work becoming monotonous; but that fear is based upon the common misconception that the Bible is one book, instead of a collection of books, thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New of our common English Bibles. Since the books are so many and the time period covered so great—about 2500 years, from Moses to St. John—and the books being composed by many writers—there is promise of plenty of variety, both as to books and subject matter. It is the rapid survey of a whole library of books that is contemplated, rather than the study of one book, albeit the many books are bound together in one volume. The consideration of the American volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon, and of modern revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, in the latter part of the course, together with the suggested lectures and the special lessons on present day subjects, scripture reading exercises, etc., etc., will unquestionably give ample variety to the year's work.

THE CLASS TEACHERS.

The First Council in its circular letter on the subject of the new order of things in relation to Seventies' meetings, course of study, etc., has already suggested that the new plans of Seventies' work would make it necessary for the quorums to find the most efficient teachers for their classes. "Where the most efficient teachers are to be found among the presidents of quorums," says the circular letter, "of course they will be given preference; but where more efficient men can be found in the quorum membership they should be selected as teachers and perform their duties under the direction of the Council of the Quorum, which, of course, will always be the presiding authority in all quorum and class meetings, and conduct all the exercises except the class work. It might be well to select the most proficient man for teacher, and appoint one or more assistants who should prepare for the class work, and in the event of the teacher's absence, and even occasionally when he is present, they could conduct the exercises.

MANNER OF LESSON TREATMENT.

It is not desired that there shall be a too slavish adherence to the letter of the lessons. The lesson forms are merely suggestive. Nor is it the intention to set forth a stereotyped method of treatment of what is given. Much will depend upon the teachers. Some will prefer to assign the whole lesson to the quorum in general and conduct the exercises as a class; others may prefer to make special assignments of topics from the subject matter of the lessons and have brief formal lectures devoted to them, followed by review questions, formulated either in advance or in the course of the lesson exercises, or at its close by the one conducting the class. Either of these methods can be made satisfactory, or a combination of them might be adopted. It is desirable that the quorums and class teachers exercise their freedom in these matters, only let them throw life and individuality into the work and they will succeed.

The class meetings of the quorums can continue throughout the year practically without interruption. Interruption will only be necessary in order to attend the Stake Quarterly Conferences, and the ward conferences where the respective quorums are located, and these occasions will not exceed five in number. There will be no occasion for postponing class exercises in order to attend to the business affairs of the quorum, since half an hour of any regular session of the quorum will be sufficient for the transaction of any business it may have to do if prompt and business-like methods are employed. If not, a special meeting could be called. It is expected, of course, that the council will continue to hold its council meetings apart from the quorum and class meetings, but these, too, could be held on the Sunday morning either before or after the regular meeting.

HOME READING AND PREPARATION.

Home reading and preparation outside of class hours should be insisted upon. It is not intended that the only mental work in connection with our course of study shall be the two or three hours devoted to the work on Sunday morning. There must be reading through the week. For example, during the weeks that the Pentateuch constitutes the lessons—three in number and hence extending over three weeks of time—it is expected that members will read the five books of Moses through, not a difficult task; and so on throughout all the lessons. By reading about one hour a day an average reader may complete in one year the reading of the four books of scripture covered by the present year's lessons. Necessarily, this will be rapid reading, but it should be remembered that we are only reading the scriptures this time to get a general idea of their contents, and the relation of the parts to the whole. The object now is not to ponder deeply over texts and combine them subjectively, or work out doctrinal or historical themes, hence we can read rapidly in this first survey of the scriptures proposed in these lessons. In addition to reading the books of scripture themselves, members should consult as far as possible the references given on the various books and topics in the lesson analysis. These references are quite numerous and varied, made so purposely, so that if the members do not happen to have access to one of the Dictionaries or Helps or other works of reference, they might possibly have another—one at least out of the many, and the notes are given that all may be assured of some assistance in making lesson preparations by consulting the utterances of those who are recognized as authorities upon the subjects on which they are quoted. If this is thought to be a rather heavy course of work let it be remembered that it is to become a settled conviction with all that, To be a Seventy means mental activity, intellectual development, and the attainment of spiritual power, and this may be done only by hard persistent work.

SCRIPTURE READING AND SPECIAL TEXTS.

At Lesson XIV, Part II, it will be observed that "scripture reading" is introduced as an exercise to be rendered immediately after the opening exercises and before taking up the lesson proper. The purpose of this exercise is as follows: It is well known that in some Christian families in the world, it is the custom to make the reading of the scriptures a part of the family worship, and our Elders when visiting in such families are called upon to read the scripture lesson before engaging in prayer—an example that could be followed with profit in our own family worship. The desirability of our Elders being prepared to acquit themselves well on such occasions as named above, is obvious, and to do that each one should have in mind a number of suitable chapters or parts of chapters of the scriptures with which he is familiar, which are appropriate for inspiring the true spirit of worship, and which he can read effectively. It is, therefore, urged that class teachers direct the members of the class, when this exercise begins, to select each for himself, such scriptures and practise the reading of them, that when called upon to read before the class he may be prepared. Both the reading and the appropriateness of the scriptures chosen should be subject to the criticism of the teacher at the time. Correct pronunciation should be taught and insisted upon and practiced until it shall become habitual. From the selections read before the class, and the suggestions from the teachers the readings will elicit, each member in time will be able to build up a fine list of chapters or parts of chapters that will be suitable for family worship and special reading. It is not expected that this exercise will occupy more than ten minutes, and usually should not occupy more than five. An example of such reading exercise is given in Lesson XIV, Part II.

The object of publishing a special text with each lesson, is to bring before the members of the class passages of striking beauty, doctrinal value, or of spiritual power; both that our Seventies may in this way gradually build up a collection of striking texts, and also that they themselves may form the habit while reading, of noting such passages and making them their own. They will find the noting of such passages a very fruitful and successful means of enriching their own language and enlarging their powers of expression.

LECTURES.

Occasionally special lectures and papers are outlined in the lesson. Teachers should make assignments of these exercises two or three weeks before the time for them to be rendered, that there may be ample time for thorough preparation, with the view of making the lectures and papers an intellectual treat to the quorums.

SUBJECTS OF PRESENT DAY INTEREST.

In the latter half of the course for the present year, subjects of present day interest are introduced to give variety to, and increase the interest in the lessons. It is suggested that these subjects be treated by having extemporaneous speaking upon the various topics in them. That is to say, let the subject be announced a week in advance for general consideration by all the members of the quorum. Then when assembled, the teacher conducting the exercise should call upon the members without previous notice or warning to speak on some subdivision or special topic associated with the subject matter of the lesson. The notes in these lessons comprise suggestions as to the construction of speeches or lectures, and these should be considered and enlarged upon, as the notes are only hints in the direction of helpfulness to the young and inexperienced members of the class. The purpose of introducing these subjects of present day interest is that the members of the quorums may be trained a little in applying the revealed principles of the Gospel to our present day problems, which to know how to do, and to do it well, is a matter of first rate importance.

Neither in these extemporaneous exercises nor in any other of the lessons should excuses or hesitancy be tolerated. No member should be allowed to refuse to make the effort to speak. Strict class discipline should be maintained all along the line. We are dealing with men, not children; and, moreover, with men who of their own volition and desire have accepted the office of Seventy, and are under the deepest moral obligation to bend every energy to qualify themselves for the high duties pertaining to their office, and therefore should be thoroughly in earnest in these class exercises, and in home study and preparation. No foolish pride that shrinks from revealing one's ignorance or lack of training or ability should stand in the way of taking an active part in class work. He who would make progress in knowledge and the training of mind faculties and polite and graceful deportment, must know that a humble attitude of mind that submits to correction and suggestion, are conditions precedent to that progress. We assemble in quorum capacity for this training. Our quorums are to become our workshops for the education of men, and each should manifest the willingness to try, and no matter how complete the failure or how often it is repeated there should be promptness and thoroughness and earnestness of effort and willingness to try again whenever a member is called upon to take part in class work.

CLASS CRITICS.

Class critics may be appointed to criticize in kindness and in fairness, but frankly and honestly, the class exercises; not necessarily confining their criticism to defects alone. Excellence may be noted and moderately praised, but benefits will naturally arise chiefly from having defects in matter and manner pointed out to the member rendering an exercise, such as awkwardness in bearing, unsuitableness of phraseology, wrong use of words, errors in grammar, mispronunciation of words, misconceptions in ideas, defects in logical treatment, inappropriateness of illustration—let all such things be subjects for fair but frank criticism, and submitted to willingly and in good part, for purposes of improvement, and beyond a doubt such criticism would be very helpful.

If the suggestion of the appointment of the critic be acted upon, a different one should be appointed, say every month, or not less seldom than every two months.

OPENING EXERCISES.

It will be observed that no suggestions are made in the lessons in relation to opening exercises. It was thought unnecessary to make any since that can be easily managed as each quorum deems proper. We do suggest, however, that singing be made part of such exercise; both on account of its being a very beautiful and appropriate exercise for such meetings as we propose our quorum class meetings to become, and also for the reason that singing is a training that our Elders very much need to equip them for their mission work. All, therefore, should be induced to participate in this exercise to the extent of their abilities. Occasionally ten or fifteen minutes could be devoted to practice in singing—right good earnest work, until each quorum builds up a repertoire of suitable hymns and spiritual songs. It is quite possible, too, for nearly every quorum to have a fine quartette or male chorus, and occasionally these could render special pieces to enliven the meetings and make glad the hearts of the brethren, but not to the displacement of congregational or quorum singing.

And in the selection of hymns and songs, and choruses, appropriateness should be carefully considered. Let the strong, stalwart hymns of the present dispensation be practiced in the quorums, and not the namby, pamby, childish hymns that sometimes find their way into the repertoire of songs sung by our Elders in the mission field. Let us have such hymns as,

A trumpet blast within itself. Such hymns as,

Also,

Also,

Also,

Also,

These few indicate a class of our hymns that are peculiarly ours—peculiarly Mormon hymns that are vibrant with the spirit of the latter-day work because it produced them—inspired them, and they are more appropriate, at least for Seventies, for missionaries, than the half sectarian songs many of our youth are learning to cultivate a taste for. Let us learn to sing Mormonism as well as to preach it. Every Elder who can sing at all should carefully select a set of hymns that have the missionary spirit in them and learn to sing them.

PRAYER.

A word on prayer. If singing be considered important, both in the opening and closing exercises of our meetings, and as an accomplishment of our Seventies, praying must be regarded as of far more importance. As gold to brass; as diamonds to pebbles; so is prayer to singing, even, so much more important is it. Yet how little attention is given to prayer! I mean to the cultivation of the gift of it; to nourishing the spirit of it. After an elapse of two thousand years we still have need of going to the Master and saying, "Lord teach us how to pray." To attempt any extended suggestions on the subject here, however, would be beyond the scope of this introduction; all that can be done is to call attention to the need of good taste being observed when addressing the All Father; appropriateness of our petitions to the occasion, respectfulness and reverence in the manner of our address; avoiding a frequent repetition of the divine name or titles; and, above all, right feeling towards the Good Father when speaking to him.

THE ORGAN OF THE SEVENTIES.

The Seventies are to be congratulated upon now having an organ through which the First Council can communicate with them from time to time without the inconvenience and expense of special circulars. That the Seventies have an organ may be matter of surprise to them, since this is the first announcement of the fact, and there has been but little agitation of the matter though it has been the proverbial "long felt want." It came about in the following manner: The First Council suggested to President Joseph F. Smith that the "Improvement Era," now the organ of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, could easily be extended in its scope so as to become also the organ of the Seventies. Its general literature is already, in the main, of the class our Seventies would do well to read. The Era has been the vehicle through which very many important doctrinal articles have been published; and having become the organ of the Seventies, as well as of the Young Men's association, is a guarantee that it will continue that line of work, and perhaps more abundantly in the future than in the past. There will be a Seventies' department opened in the magazine, of several pages, in which will be published each month suggestions and directions relative to Seventies' class work, quorum discipline and general management. Of the advantages of such an arrangement little need be urged since they must be obvious to all. Hereafter, then, the Improvement Era will be known as the "ORGAN OF THE SEVENTIES AND THE YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS."

The First Council bespeak for our organ the hearty support of all the Seventies. Its success has depended heretofore on the love and loyalty of the Young Men's Association; hereafter that will be supplemented by the love and loyalty of the Seventies' quorums. The attention of the members of the quorums should at once be called to this new adjunct in our work and they be invited to become subscribers to our magazine. We suggest that one or two members in each quorum be appointed to solicit subscriptions within the quorum, that each member be given the direct opportunity to become a subscriber. The Era, it will be understood, has no other agents except those appointed by the Young Men's Association in the respective wards and branches of the Church, and now, of course, those who will be appointed by our quorums. The service is to be given without remuneration—soliciting subscriptions within our quorums is to be a work of love and interest. The price is two dollars per year, paid in advance, and subscriptions should be sent by the quorum agent to the manager of the Era, Elder Alpha J. Higgs, Era office, 214 Templeton Building, Salt Lake City. Promptness and efficiency in dealing with this matter is expected.

It is a fortunate circumstance that this inauguration of better working conditions for the quorums of Seventies, and the beginning of the volume of the Era—volume XI—should start off together, viz., in the month of November. But is it not a co-ordination of circumstances brought about by the operation of the Spirit of the Lord upon the minds of the brethren rather than a matter of good fortune? So many things have conjoined for this new movement among the Seventies to augur success that those of us who have been watching its development cannot doubt but that

"God Wills It!"

CONCLUSION.

And now, brethren of the Seventies, in conclusion: Be earnest in this work. Be thorough, patient, self-denying. A great opportunity has come to us—let us make the most of it, and be grateful that it has come. Let no difficulties appall us. We can overcome them. Let us say of difficulties, what Napoleon said of the Alps, when the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of crossing them with an army was suggested, he answered:

"There Shall Be No Alps!"

REMEMBER! To become a Seventy means mental activity, intellectual development, and the attainment of spiritual power.

A SUGGESTED LIST OF BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

The following named books of reference will be especially useful in the present year's course of study. It is not expected, of course, that all our Seventies will be able to secure the entire collection suggested, but it would be well for our members to purchase so many of them as they can afford to buy as the beginning of a small personal library. The books recommended will not only be useful for the present year's lessons, but are standard books that will be useful in all the courses of study yet to be prescribed. Inasmuch as individuals may not be able to purchase these books, we suggest that it would be well for each quorum to take under consideration the propriety of the quorum as a body obtaining this complete list as the foundation of a quorum reference library, that might be available to all for preparation.

1. "The Seventy's Indispensible Library:" This consists of the Cambridge Bible, the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, (bound in one volume) and the Richards-Little Compendium; price, post-paid, $9.00.

Webster's New Standard Dictionary of the English Language, adapted for High School, Academic and Collegiate Courses; price, $1.50.

The Works of Flavius-Josephus, in one volume, by William Whiston, A. M., David McKay, Publisher, 23 South Ninth Street, Philadelphia, $1.50.

Dictionary of the Bible (Dr. William Smith's). The most desirable edition of this work is the four volume edition of Prof. H. B. Hackett, D. D., published by Houghton-Mifflin & Co., Boston. It is a very valuable work and contains, "by universal consent, the fruit of the ripest biblical scholarship of England, and constitutes a library of itself, superceding the use of many books otherwise necessary." The price in leather binding, $25.00. The Seventies individually may not be able to purchase this edition, but where quorums unite for the purchase of books this is the edition that should be secured.

There is, however, a one volume edition of this work, known as

Smith's Smaller Dictionary of the Bible, published by Fleming H. Revell Co., New York and Chicago, $1.25, post-paid.

Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature, edited by John Kitto, two volumes, S. W. Green's Son, Publishers, 74, 76 Beekmen St., New York. If Smith's Dictionary is not secured then the work next in value is the one here named.

"A Commentary Critical and Explanatory of the Old and New Testament," Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, S. S. Scranton & Co., Hartford, Publishers. This is a very excellent work, and frequently quoted in the references and also in the notes of the present year's course of study. As remarked in one of the notes, the Elders who make up our ministry may not accept the doctrinal interpretation of this or any other commentary, yet its historical and critical treatises are among the most recent and valuable.

The Old Testament History, by William Smith, Harper & Brothers, Publishers, New York; price, $2.00. This work is designed by the compiler and editor as a manual in relation to Hebrew history and on a par with the histories of Greece and Rome, generally used in our best schools. As a digest of Biblical History, it is a most valuable work.

Dr. Smith's New Testament History, with introduction, connecting the history of the Old Testament with the New, Harper Brothers, New York. This work stands in the same relationship to the New Testament History that the previously mentioned work does to the Old.

"Illustrated Bible Treasury," edited by William Wright, D. D. To those who may have neither Cambridge or Oxford or Nelson Bible Helps, we recommend this as a very valuable collection of material, including a Concordance, a Dictionary and Maps, and upwards of 350 illustrations, on Bible subjects; price, post-paid, seventy-five cents.

As helps in the study of the Book of Mormon we recommend:

Reynolds' Dictionary of the Book of Mormon.

Y. M. M. I. A. Manuals, Nos. 7, 8 and 9, containing Elder Roberts' treatise on the Book of Mormon, including a consideration of External and Internal Evidences, price twenty-five cents per number.

Defense of the Faith and the Saints (just out from the press), price $1.50.

Y. M. M. I. A. Manual, No. 10; subject, Modern Revelation, especially valuable in the study of the Doctrine and Covenants; price twenty-five cents. Manuals can be obtained from the Era office, Templeton Building, Salt Lake City.

The Book of Abraham. Its Authenticity as a Divine and Ancient Record, (Elder George Reynolds).

The Improvement Era, organ of the Seventies and Y. M. M. I. Associations, for current literature, comment and special articles on subjects of first year's Seventies' work, price $2.00 per year, in advance.

The Seventy's Course in Theology.

FIRST YEAR.

PART I.

Outline History of the Seventy.

LESSON I.

THE SEVENTY IN THREE DISPENSATIONS.

SPECIAL TEXT: "God could not organize His kingdom with twelve men to open the gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless he took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham. Now the Lord has got his Twelve and his Seventy, and there will be other quorums of Seventies called, who will make the sacrifice, and those who have not made their sacrifices and their offerings now, will make them hereafter."—JOSEPH SMITH.

NOTES.

1. The Seventy of the Mosaic Dispensation: It is difficult to determine just what the relationship of the Seventy Elders of Exodus xxiv and 1, and Numb. xi: 16, 25, occupied in the Mosaic polity. Commenting on the passage in Exodus, a somewhat celebrated authority (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown's Commentary) says:

"An order of Seventy was to be created, either by a selection from the existing staff of Elders, or by the appointment of new ones, empowered to assist him [Moses] by their collective wisdom and experience in the onerous cares of government. The Jewish writers say that this was the origin of the Sanhedrim, or supreme appellate court of their nation. But there is every reason to believe that it was only a temporary expedient, adopted to meet a trying exigency."

Catholic commentators, however, positively assert that this appointment of the Seventy Elders "was the first institution of the Council or Senate, called the Sanhedrim, consisting of seventy or seventy-two Senators, or Counselors." (Douay Bible, foot-note, Numb. xi: 16-25.)

But Dr. William Smith, in his Old Testament History, says:

"The appointment of the Seventy Elders has often been regarded as the germ of the Sanhedrim. They seem rather to have been a Senate, whose office was confined to assisting Moses in the government, and ceased with the cessation of his leadership. No trace of the Sanhedrim is found till the return from the Babylonish captivity. It is more certain that the manner of their consecration prefigured the order of the Prophets." (Old Testament History, p. 185.)

From all this it will be seen that much confusion exists among the learned with reference to the exact nature of the office of the Seventy. From the revelations of the Lord, however, to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we learn that the Priesthood existed in Israel in the days of Moses, but that "he took Moses out of their midst and the Holy Priesthood also," but that "the lesser Priesthood continued, which Priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel" only. With this as a key, that is, with the knowledge that the "Holy Priesthood," meaning by that the higher, or Melchisedek Priesthood, existed in Israel in the days of Moses, it is fairly safe to conclude that the Seventy Elders of the two passages in question were really a quorum of the Seventy as we know it, and that perhaps the princes at the head of the twelve tribes of Israel may have occupied a position somewhat analogous to, if not identical with, that of the Twelve Apostles in the later Church, though it must be admitted that the latter suggestion, especially is merely conjecture. The conclusion with reference to the Seventy, however, takes on increased probability when the spiritual powers exercised by the Seventy described in Numb. xi: 24, 29, is taken into account; powers that are so nearly akin to those of the Seventy in the Meridian and later dispensations of the gospel.

2. The Seventy of the New Testament: The opinions of ecclesiastical writers with reference to the Seventy mentioned in Luke x, seem to be as hopelessly inconclusive as those held with reference to the Seventy in the Mosaic polity.. Some, for instance, hold that "no power or authority was formally conferred upon the Seventy, their mission being only temporary, and indeed for one divine purpose; its primary object was to prepare for the coming of the Master in the places to which they were sent; and their selection was from a wider circle of disciples, the number being now seventy instead of twelve." So says Edersheim (Jesus the Messiah, Vol. II, p. 136), from which it appears that he does not regard the Seventy as permanent officers in the Church, because, as he assumes, their mission was temporary.

Whereas, on the other hand, Dr. Smith holds that "their office did not cease with the fulfillment of their immediate and temporary mission, but was to continue." (Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. IV, Article, Seventy Disciples.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown's Commentary, on the passage, says:

"The mission [i. e., of the Seventy], unlike that of the Twelve, was evidently quite temporary. All the instructions are in keeping with a brief and hasty pioneering mission, intended to supply what of general preparation for coming events, the Lord's own visit afterwards to the same "cities and places" would not from want of time, now suffice to accomplish; whereas the instructions to the Twelve, besides embracing all those of the Seventy, contemplate world-wide and permanent effects. Accordingly, after their return from this single missionary tour, we never again read of the Seventy."

"We never again read of the Seventy" should be limited, however, to the books of the New Testament, for in the ecclesiastical writers which succeed the New Testament authors, mention is made of individual members of this body of Seventy, and of their labors. For instance, Eusebius has the following passage with reference to them.

"The names of our Savior's Apostles are sufficiently obvious to every one, from his gospels; but of the seventy disciples, no catalogue is given anywhere. Barnabas, indeed, is said to have been one of them, of whom there is distinguished notice in the Acts of the Apostles; and also in St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. Sosthenes, who sent letters with Paul to the Corinthians, is said to have been one of these. Clement, in the fifth of his Hypotyposes or Institutions, in which he also mentions Cephas, of whom Paul also says, that he came to Antioch, and "that he withstood him to his face;"^[3]—says, that one who had the same name with Peter the Apostle, was one of the Seventy; and that Matthias, who was numbered with the Apostles in place of Judas, and he who had been honored to be a candidate with him, are also said to have been deemed worthy of the same calling with the Seventy. They also say that Thaddeus was one of them; concerning whom I shall presently relate a narrative that has come down to us. Moreover, if any one observe with attention, he will find more disciples of our Savior than the Seventy, on the testimony of Paul, who says, that "he appeared after his resurrection, first to Cephas, then to the Twelve, and after these to five hundred brethren at once." Of whom, he says, "some are fallen asleep," but the greater part were living at the time he wrote." (Eccl. Hist. Eusebius, Chap. xii.)

In the chapter following the one from which the foregoing quotation is taken, Eusebius refers to Thaddeus in the most positive manner as being one of the Seventy, and that he was sent by Thomas, the Apostle, to visit King Agbarus. (See Eusebius' Eccl. History, Chap. xiii.)

3. Of Their Being More Than One Quorum of Seventy in the Meridian Dispensation: In all comments upon the Seventy mentioned in St. Luke, chapter x, one thing seems to have been strangely overlooked; namely, that Jesus had appointed other quorums of Seventy before those mentioned by the third Evangelist. Such is the plain implication of the first verse in said chapter, to-wit:

"After these things the Lord appointed other Seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face," etc. Undoubtedly, it is in their collective capacity that they are referred to here, since the term "Seventy" is used in the singular; and before the appointment of this Seventy mentioned in Luke, Jesus had appointed "other Seventy," or quorums of Seventy, how many may not be determined. In I Cor.: xv, where Paul described the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection, it is said "that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the Twelve, after that he was seen of about five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." Now, taking the close relationship between the Twelve and the Seventy, the similarity of their mission and commission, (compare Luke x with Matthew x), and the fact that in the above quoted passage from Paul the appearances of Jesus is spoken of as being associated with Peter, then with the Twelve, and then of five hundred brethren at once, may it not be that those 500 brethren were those who held similar authority with the Twelve Apostles, namely, the Seventy, which would make, allowing for slight discrepancy and perhaps the attendance of the Twelve Apostles, among the five hundred, seven quorums of Seventy. (See Doc. & Cov. Sec. cvii: 95.) This is admittedly conjecture, and yet conjecture upon which strong probability attends.

4. The Prophet's Vision of the Order in Church Government: It is evident from the account given in the history of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the organization of the Twelve and the Seventy grew out of a vision he had concerning the order of Church organization, since both in his history and also in the revelation contained in the Doc. & Cov. Sec. 107, he repeatedly makes mention of that vision. In the minutes of the meeting at which the organization of the Twelve began, it is written that "President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit." (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 182, also note.)

In the revelation above referred to, describing the order of the Seventy, the Prophet says: "It is according to the vision, showing the order of the Seventy, that there shall be seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the Seventy."

5. The First Quorums of Seventy Chosen from Zion's Camp: The first and second quorum of Seventy was made up, in the main, from that band of men who constituted Zion's camp, the camp, it will be remembered, that went up to the deliverance of the Saints who had been expelled from Jackson county in 1833. In the meeting referred to in the foregoing note, at which the Twelve were organized, it is stated that the Prophet related some of the circumstances attendant upon the journey of Zion's camp; its trials, sufferings, etc., and said, "God had not designed all this for nothing, but he had it in remembrance yet; and it was the will of God that those who went to Zion (i. e., Missouri) with the determination to lay down their lives if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time." (History of the Church, Vol. ii, p. 182.) In an address to certain Elders assembled in Kirtland soon after the Seventy were organized, the Prophet said:

"Brethren, some of you are angry with me, because you did not fight in Missouri; but let me tell you, God did not want you to fight. He could not organize his kingdom with twelve men to open the gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless he took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham. Now the Lord has got his Twelve and his Seventy, and there will be other quorums of Seventies called, who will make the sacrifice, and those who have not made their sacrifices and their offerings now, will make them hereafter." (History of the Church, Vol.. II, p. 182 in note.)

From this, it appears, that the character of men who attain unto this high station in the Priesthood of God should be men who have made sacrifices for the work of God, or who are perfectly willing to make such sacrifices, even to laying down their lives for the cause.

Organization of the Seventy in Dispensation of the Fullness of Times: The organization of the Seventies in the dispensation of the fulness of times began on the 28th of February, 1835, when, according to the History of the Prophet Joseph, "The Church in council assembled, commenced selecting certain individuals to be Seventies from the number of those who went up to Zion with me in the camp (i. e., Zion's camp); and the following are the names of those who were ordained and blessed at that time (names omitted), to begin the organization of the first quorum of Seventies, according to the visions and revelations which I have received. The Seventies are to constitute traveling quorums, to go into all the earth, whithersoever the Twelve Apostles shall call them." (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 201-302. See also notes on the text of those two pages.)

7. President Joseph Young's Account of the Organization of the First Quorums of Seventy: The account of the organization of the Seventy given by the late Joseph Young, brother of President Brigham Young, who became the First President of the Seventy in this dispensation, is too important to be omitted, and therefore is given here in extenso:

"On the 8th of February, in the year of our Lord 1835, the Prophet Joseph Smith called Elders Brigham and Joseph Young to the chamber of his residence, in Kirtland, Ohio; it being on the Sabbath day. After they were seated, and he had made some preliminaries, he proceeded to relate a vision to these brethren, of the state and condition of those men who died in Zion's Camp, in Missouri. He said, "Brethren, I have seen those men who died of the cholera in our camp; and the Lord knows, if I get a mansion as bright as theirs, I ask no more." At this relation he wept, and for some time could not speak. When he had relieved himself of his feelings, in describing the vision, he resumed the conversation, and addressed himself to Brother Brigham Young. Said he to him, "I wish you to notify all the brethren living in the branches, within a reasonable distance from this place, to meet at a General Conference on Saturday next. I shall then and there appoint twelve special witnesses, to open the door of the gospel to foreign nations, and you," said he (speaking to Brother Brigham), "will be one of them."

He then proceeded to enlarge upon the duties of their calling. The interest that was taken on the occasion of this announcement, produced in the minds of the two Elders present a great sensation, and many reflections; having previously notified Brother Brigham Young that he would be one of the witnesses, but said nothing to Joseph until he had exhausted much of his feelings in regard to the Twelve, which took up some little time.

"He then turned to Elder Joseph Young with quite an earnestness, as though the vision of his mind was extended still further, and addressing him, said: "Brother Joseph, the Lord has made you President of the Seventies."

"They had heard of Moses and seventy Elders of Israel, and of Jesus appointing other Seventies, but had never heard of Twelve Apostles and of Seventies being called in this Church before. It was a strange saying, "The Lord has made you president of the Seventies," as though it had already taken place, and it caused these brethren to marvel.

"The Prophet did not say that any others would be called to be the bearers of this message abroad, but the inference might be clearly drawn, that this was his meaning, from the language he used at the time.

"Agreeable to his request to Elder Brigham Young, the branches were all notified, and a meeting of the brethren in General Conference was held in Kirtland, in the new school house, under the printing office, on the following Saturday, February 14th, when the Twelve were appointed and ordained, and the Conference adjourned for two weeks.

"Pursuant to this adjournment, the Conference convened on Saturday, the 28th of that month, when the first quorum of Seventies were appointed and ordained, under the hands of the Prophet, his Counselors, and others.

"Adjourned meetings were held from time to time, and the second quorum of Seventies were appointed and ordained."

8. The First Report of the Seventy: The first report that the Seventies made of their labors seems to have given very great satisfaction to the Prophet. Under date of December 28, 1835, (less than a year after their organization) the Prophet says:

"This day the Council of the Seventy met to render an account of their travels and ministry, since they were ordained to that Apostleship. The meeting was interesting, indeed, and my heart was made glad while listening to the relation of those that had been laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, with such marvelous success. And I pray God to bless them with an increase of faith and power, and keep them all, with the endurance of faith in the name of Jesus Christ to the end." (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 346.)

9. The Anointing of the Seventy: The Seventies were privileged to receive their washings and anointings in the Kirtland Temple preparatory to its public dedication. The Presidency of the Seventy received their anointing and blessing under the hands of the Twelve Apostles on the 22nd of January, 1836; and had sealed "upon their heads power and authority to anoint their brethren"—the members of their quorums. (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 383.) Under date of the 30th of January, 1836, members of the quorums were anointed and blessed, of which circumstance the Prophet says:

"In the evening, went to the upper room of the Lord's house, and set the different quorums in order. Instructed the presidents of the Seventy concerning the order of their anointing, and requested them to proceed and anoint the Seventy." (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 388.)

10. The Seventy Sustained as Apostles: During the dedicatory services in the Kirtland Temple, March 27, 1836, when the various officers of the Church were sustained, the Seventies were sustained as "Apostles and special witnesses to the nations to assist the Twelve," etc. I quote the passage in full.

"I then called upon the quorums and congregation of Saints to acknowledge the Twelve Apostles, who were present, as Prophets, Seers, Revelators, and special witnesses to all the nations of the earth, holding the keys of the kingdom, to unlock it, or cause it to be done, among them, and uphold them by their prayers, which they assented to by rising. I next called upon the quorums and congregation of Saints to acknowledge the presidents of Seventies who act as their representatives, as Apostles and special witnesses to the nations, to assist the Twelve in opening the gospel kingdom among all people, and to uphold them by their prayers, which they did by rising." (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 417-18.)

11. The First Council of Seventy Lead Kirtland Camp to Missouri: Perhaps the greatest work achieved by the First Council of the Seventies in their organized capacity, was the organization of the Kirtland Camp, and leading it from Kirtland, Ohio, to Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri, a distance of 860 miles. The camp numbered 105 families, 529 souls in all. They left the vicinity of Kirtland on the 6th day of July, 1838, and arriving at Adam-ondi-Ahman on the 4th of October, of the same year. A full history of the organization of this camp and its journey is to be found in the History of the Church, Vol. III, p.. 87 to 148.

12. Increase of Quorums at Nauvoo: At the October Conference, 1844, the number of the Seventy was greatly increased. On the third day of the conference, "Elder George A. Smith moved that all in the Elders' quorum under the age of thirty-five should be ordained into the Seventies', if they are in good standing, and worthy, and will accept it. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously." Enough members were added to make in all eleven quorums, and forty more were ordained to be part of the twelfth quorum. (See minutes of Conference, "Times and Seasons," Vol. V, p. 695-696.) By the first of January, 1845, the number of quorums had increased to fourteen, and a Seventies' library was started, which caused the editor of the "Times and Seasons" to exclaim:

"Ten years ago but one Seventy, and now fourteen [quorums of] Seventies, and the foundation for the best library in the world. It looks like old times when they had 'Kirjath Sapher,' the City of Books." (Times and Seasons, Vol. V, p. 762-3.)

Meantime the Seventies had built a large brick hall in Nauvoo, known as the "Seventies' Hall," and on the 26th of December, 1844, this building was dedicated with imposing ceremonies extending through an entire week. Most of the members of the Council of the Apostles participated in the dedicatory services. It may be of interest for the Seventies to know that the heroic hymn, "The Seer, the Seer, Joseph the Seer," by the late President John Taylor, was written for these services though dedicated by the author to President Brigham Young. (Times and Seasons, Vol. V, p. 767.) The arrangement was made for two quorums to be in attendance at the dedication each day with their wives and children and a number of invited guests. By this time there were fifteen quorums in existence. By the 19th of January, 1846, the number of quorums had increased to thirty. (Times and Seasons, Vol. VI, p. 1096.) Whether or not any more quorums than these were organized in Nauvoo we do not know.

13. Status of the Quorums Since Nauvoo Times: For some time after the settlement of the Church in Utah some confusion existed in relation to the quorums of Seventy, and the members of the respective quorums were so badly scattered that they convened in what were known as "mass quorums," consisting of all the Seventies living in a stake or ward, without regard to the particular quorum to which they belonged. In the year 1883, however, a movement was set on foot to put the quorums in order, and the Presidency of the Church issued the following instructions on the subject of

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SEVENTY.

SALT LAKE CITY, U. T., April 13, 1883.

In the organization of these quorums in October, 1844, there were ten quorums, each provided with seven presidents, which presidents constituted the First Quorum of Seventies, and of which the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies were members, and over which they presided. But as the Seventies have greatly increased, these regulations will not apply to the present circumstances; and furthermore, the First Quorum, according to the present organization, has not acted in a quorum capacity, but it would seem there are duties devolving upon its members, as a quorum, that may require their official action.

The First Quorum of Seventies may be composed of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies, and the senior president of the first sixty-four quorums. These may form the Seventy referred to in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and may act in an official capacity as the First Quorum of Seventies.

The senior presidents of the other quorums, over and above the sixty-four, may meet with the First Quorum in their assemblies in any other than an official capacity; but in case of the absence of any of the members of the First Quorum, they can act, in the place of such members with the First Quorum during such absence, in any cases of importance that may arise.

The headquarters of the different quorums, and the records thereof, may be distributed throughout the various Wards and Stakes, under the direction of the First Seven Presidents, as the number of the Priesthood residing in such localities may seem to justify and any vacancies that exist, either in the presidency or membership of the different quorums may be filled by the ordination of persons residing in the locality in which the respective quorums are organized.

Any of the members or presidents of other quorums who are in good standing may have the privilege of joining the quorum located in the district in which they reside; but in such cases they should first obtain a certificate as to their standing in the quorum from which they desire to withdraw; to obtain which it would only be necessary to procure a certificate of their good standing from the Bishop of the Ward to which they belong, provided their names are found upon the record of their quorum as in good standing.

The presidents of the quorums residing in the district where their respective quorums are organized shall have a general supervision of all the Seventies residing in their district.

In all cases where members of quorums are called in question, a majority of their respective quorums will have jurisdiction in all cases involving their standing in the quorum, but in case there is not a majority residing in the district where the quorum is organized, or in the case of scattered members, the members present should investigate the matter and report their findings to the First Seven Presidents. Any complaints regarding the presidents of quorums should be made to the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies, who may suspend such presidents, if their conduct seem to justify it, pending the action of the First Quorum. Any presidents or members from whom fellowship has been withdrawn by the quorums, should be reported to the High Council having jurisdiction.

The Seventies, when abroad, if anything should occur requiring their supervision, in the absence of other authorities, may act upon the case of any delinquent belonging to the Seventies, and should report their decisions to the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies.

Your Brethren in the gospel,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEORGE Q. CANNON,
JOSEPH F. SMITH,
First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A revelation given through President John Taylor, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, on Saturday, April 14th, 1883, in answer to the question: "Show unto us thy will, O Lord, concerning the organization of the Seventies."

What ye have written is my will, and is acceptable unto me: and furthermore,

Thus saith the Lord unto the First Presidency, unto the Twelve, unto the Seventies and unto all my holy Priesthood, let not your hearts be troubled, neither be ye concerned about the management and organization of my Church and Priesthood and the accomplishment of my work. Fear me and observe my laws and I will reveal unto you, from time to time, through the channels that I have appointed, everything that shall be necessary for the future development and perfection of my Church, for the adjustment and rolling forth of my kingdom, and for the building up and the establishment of my Zion. For ye are my Priesthood and I am your God. Even so. Amen.

Under the instructions given in the foregoing communication and revelation, the First Council of the Seventy have proceeded with the work of increasing the quorums and managing their affairs. The quorums now number 151, giving to the foreign ministry of the Church a body of men numbering about ten thousand.

Footnotes

1. Hackett edition, in four volumes, now and always quoted.

2. I take occasion here to remark that by making reference to works such as Edersheim's Life of Jesus, Bible Dictionaries Ecclesiastical Histories, etc., it must not be understood that in making such references I approve the works, or even accept the correctness of the passages indicated. Such references are made that the student may consult the literature on a given point. He must make his own deductions as to the correctness of the statements and arguments of such authors. As for instance, in this very passage cited from Edersheim's really great work, I think him, in the main, wrong in his treatment of this subject of the Seventy, but our Seventies should know what so high an authority, as Edersheim is generally accepted to be, has said upon the subject.

3. It will be observed from this statement that the "Cephas," or "Peter" whom Paul "withstood to his face" at Antioch, was not the chief Apostle Peter, but another "Cephas" or "Peter," one of the Seventy. I fear, however, that the testimony in Galatians ii, as to its being Peter, the chief Apostle, with whom Paul had his unfortunate controversy, is too strong to be overturned by this inference in Eusebius.

LESSON II.

THE ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES OF THE SEVENTY.

SPECIAL TEXT: "Wherefore now, let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence." Doc. and Cov., Sec. 107.

NOTES.

1. Priesthood. Priesthood is authority which God gives to man, by which man is made an agent of God, authorized to speak, act, and administer in the divine name, and have his words and administrations of binding effect as if done by the Lord himself; provided, of course, said administrations are in accordance with the divine directions or instructions, within the limits of the authority confirmed upon the agent, performed in righteousness and relate to the matters for which the divine authority was given to man.

Necessarily this delegated authority is one in kind;^[5] it is simply authority given of God to man by which man is authorized to act in God's stead in relation to certain things; but its powers are grouped in various ways for the purpose of facilitating the administration of its government. First, its powers are grouped with reference to temporal and spiritual affairs; the division of the Priesthood which has charge more especially of spiritual affairs is called the Melchisedek Priesthood; that which has charge more especially of temporal affairs, the Aaronic Priesthood. The officers of the Melchisedek Priesthood are, Apostles, Prophets, Patriarchs, High Priests, Seventies, Elders; of the Aaronic Priesthood: Bishops (who are High Priests, ordained to be Bishops and constitute the Presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood), Priests, Teachers, Deacons.

While this division of the Priesthood, or this grouping of its officers with reference to spiritual and temporal labors, assigns one to spiritual and the other to temporal concerns, it must not be thought that there is anything rigid in said division of labor; that the Aaronic Priesthood is excluded from participation in spiritual labors; or that the Melchisedek Priesthood is excluded from dealing with temporal affairs. The line of demarkation,^[6] as a matter of fact, is crossed by each division; some of the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood are spiritual, and some of the duties of the Melchisedek, temporal. This division then rests upon the fact that the duties assigned the Aaronic priesthood are chiefly temporal, and the duties of the Melchisedek chiefly spiritual.

Another division of the Priesthood may be said to exist within the Melchisedek Priesthood, which is also a division with reference to its labors, viz., the foreign ministry and the home ministry, of which more is to be said later.

2. The Church. The Church may be said to arise from the Priesthood. Comprehensively defined it may be said to be an organization of people—including all officers and members—who believe in and endeavor to incorporate in their lives God's Truth; who have obeyed the ordinances or sacraments appointed of God for salvation and admission into his Church; whose officers are of divine appointment and commission, (that is, possessed of divine authority, the Priesthood) guided by an ever present inspiration from God, and walking within reach of an ever present and continuous source of immediate revelation.

The Church is the depository of God's revealed truth. Man may be able by searching to find out many truths. What he has learned by study, by investigation, aided by the inspiration of the Lord—for "there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding"—amounts to very much; but there are some things which even by searching man may not learn. "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"^[7] The inference in the scripture is, and the fact is, that the answer must be, no. God can not be perfectly known, only as he reveals himself to man; man can know his relationship to God only as God is pleased to reveal it; man can only know the terms and means of his salvation as the Lord reveals it; and these revelations, when he has one in the earth, God gives to his Church; these truths which man by searching, by his own wisdom, may not find out in their perfection—God deposits with his Church—hence the Church is the depository of God's revealed truth—she receives and is the custodian of the Gospel.

And not only is the Church the depository of revealed truth; but she is also the depository of the divine authority; she, in organized capacity, holds as content the Holy Priesthood; and she has commission and agency to dispense the truth and administer through her instrumentalities all the ordinances of the gospel.

3. The Mission of the Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was brought into existence for the accomplishment of two great things: first, the proclamation of the truth concerning man's salvation to all the world: and second, the perfecting of those who accept that truth. The Church is organized with reference to the accomplishment of these two purposes, and has, for the accomplishment of those purposes, a foreign ministry and a home ministry. In defining the duties of a Seventy it is with the foreign ministry that we have to deal.

4. The Foreign Ministry. The business of the foreign ministry is to make proclamation of the gospel in all the world, and gather, as soon as wisdom dictates, those who accept it into the organized stakes of Zion. This foreign ministry, strictly speaking, is composed of the Twelve Apostles and the quorums of the Seventy.

5. The Twelve: "The twelve traveling counselors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world; thus differing from other officers in the Church in the duties of their calling. * * * * The Twelve are a traveling presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven; to build up the Church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations; first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews. * * * * The Twelve being sent out, holding the keys to open the door by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ—and first unto the Gentiles and then unto the Jews." (Doc & Cov., Sec. cvii.) This is the special calling of the Twelve Apostles, and the calling of the Seventy is like unto it.

6. The Seventy: "The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world. Thus differing from other officers in the Church in the duties of their calling. * * * * The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling High Council, in building up the Church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations—first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews. * * * * It is the duty of the traveling High Council to call upon the Seventy, when they need assistance, to fill the several calls for preaching and administering the gospel, instead of any others. * * * * And these Seventy (the reference is to the whole body of that Priesthood) are to be traveling ministers unto the Gentiles first, and also unto the Jews. * * * * Whereas other officers of the Church, who belong not unto the Twelve, neither to the Seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow, notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the Church." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. cvii.)

When the Church was set in order at Nauvoo, in 1841, by direction of a revelation (Doc. & Cov.; Sec. cxxiv.) after naming the First Seven Presidents, who were to preside over the quorums of Seventies, the Lord said: "Which quorum is instituted for traveling Elders to bear record of my name in all the world, whenever the traveling High Council, my Apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face. The difference between this quorum and the quorum of Elders is, that one is to travel continually, and the other is to preside over the churches from time to time: the one has the responsibility of presiding from time to time, and the other has no responsibility of presiding, saith the Lord your God."

In these passages the special calling and duties of the Seventies are so clearly set forth that neither comment nor amplification is necessary, since these foregoing quotations are the word of the Lord, and evidence the fact that the Twelve, with the Seventy, constitute the foreign ministry of the Church. They are special witnesses of God and Christ to the truth of the gospel, and that is their special and peculiar calling in the Church. Not that the whole responsibility of preaching the gospel rests upon the Twelve and the Seventy alone. That responsibility rests upon the whole body of the Church. These quorums, the Twelve and Seventy, are merely the instrumentality through which the Church discharges its obligations to the people of the world in making known to them the truth.

7. President Joseph F. Smith on the Calling of the Seventy: We have also in the Church today, I am informed, 146 quorums of Seventy [the number in 1904]. These constitute a body of Elders of somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 men, whose special duty it is to respond to the call of the Apostles to preach the gospel, without purse or scrip, to all the nations of the earth. They are minute men. It is expected that they will be ready, whenever they are called, to go out in the world, or to go out to the various organizations of the Church to fulfill missions and to perform such duties as shall be required of them, in order that the work of the Lord and the work of the ministry may be upheld and sustained and carried on in the Church and throughout the world. These councils or quorums of Seventy are not always full, a full council being 70 Elders. But there are approximately 10,000 Elders who now hold that position in the Church. They are called to an apostolic calling. They are required to be special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is expected of this body of men that they will have burning in their souls the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy; that they will be full of light and of the knowledge of the truth; that they will be enthusiastic in their calling, and in the cause of Zion, and that they will be ready at any moment, when required, to go out into the world, or anywhere throughout the Church and bear testimony of the truth, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and set examples before the world of purity, love, honesty, uprightness and integrity to the truth. (The General Conference Reports, October 6th, 1904, p. 3.)