[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.
| ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
| I. The Priesthood.
1. Definition, and the Grouping of Powers and Officers. | Note 1; Alma xiii; Doc, & Cov. 84; Sec. 107; Compendium[1] pp. 64-73. History of the Church Vol. II, Chap. 33; Vol. IV, Chap. 11; Outlines Eccl. History, Part IV, Sec. v. The Gospel[2] pp. 210-216. |
| II. The Church: Defined.
1. The Depository of Revealed Truth. 2. Of Divine Authority--Her Commission. | Note 2. I Corinthians xii. Articles of Faith, (Talmadge) Lecture XI. Compendium pp. 157-158. Book of Mormon, Mosiah 5:7-12. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 76; 50-70. The Gospel pp. 216-227. |
| III. The Mission of the Church.
1. Proclamation of the Truth. 2. Perfecting the Lives of Those Who Receive Her Truth. | Note 3; Eph. iv:4-17. The Gospel pp. 216-227. History of the Church Vol. II. pp. 47. 476-480. |
| IV. The Foreign Ministry.
1. The Twelve Apostles. 2. The Seventy. 3. Special Duties of the Seventy. | Note 4, 5, 6. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 107; also Sec. 124; 138-140. History of the Church, Vol. III,[3] Chap. xxvi. Luke x; Outlines Eccl. History[4] Sec. v, p. 336-7, p. 360; also pp. 343-6. Also note 7. |
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.