The Seventy's Course in Theology, First Year / Outline History of the Seventy and A Survey of the Books of Holy Scripture

by B. H. Roberts

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.)