[7]. Job xi: 7.
LESSON III.
THE ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES OF THE SEVENTY. (Continued.)
| ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
| I. Of Other Than the Special Labors of the Seventy. | Note 1. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 107; 8-10, 34. Note 2. |
| II. Quorum Organization.
1. Presidents. 2. Members. 3. Effectiveness of the Quorum Organization. | Note 3. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 107; 93-98; Note 4, 5. |
| III. The First Quorum of the Seventy.
1. Jurisdiction--Local, General. 2. Limitation in the Choice of Presidents. 3. Distinction and Authority of the First Quorum. Summary. | Note 4. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 107; 25, 33[1] Art. of Faith. (Talmadge) p. 214. Outlines Eccl. Hist. Sec. v, p. 344. |
| IV. The Seventy to be an Educated,
Trained Ministry.
1. Need of Knowing the Truth in Order to Teach It. 2. Admonition of the Lord to the Elders. | Note 6. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 88; 77, 8, 117, 118. Ibid. Sec. 130; 18-21. Sec. 131; 6. Brigham Young on Education, Contributor Vol. X, pp. 281-283; Mormon Point of View in Education, Improvement Era Vol. II, pp. 119 et seq. Doc. & Cov. Sec. 84; 85 Note 7. |
SPECIAL TEXT: Let it become a special conviction with all, that to become a Seventy means mental activity, intellectual development, and finally spiritual power.
"All are to preach the gospel by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost; and no man can preach the gospel without the Holy Ghost."—JOSEPH SMITH.
NOTES.
1. Of Labors Other than Special that Seventies May Perform: While preaching the gospel unto all nations is the special business of the Twelve and Seventy, it must not be thought that that is the only function which the Seventy may discharge. As on occasion the High Priests and Elders and members of the lesser Priesthood can be used to assist in the work of the foreign ministry (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 84:106-111), so also, when at home, and not engaged in the special work of their calling, the Seventy may be employed in the home ministry, and assist the standing ministry in the wards and stakes of Zion in perfecting the Saints and edifying the body of Christ until they shall all come unto a unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Paul, in his most excellent description of the Church organization, likens it unto the body of a man. Accepting his illustration it may be said that the foreign ministry may be regarded as the right arm of the Church, and the home ministry as the left arm. Now, because one is the right arm and one the left, shall either refuse to assist the other at need? Or shall this organization (the Church), which is said to be the "body of Christ," be as effectual in the performance of its functions as the natural body of man is, and in every case of need have the right hand come to the assistance of the left, and vise versa? Right reason will approve an affirmative answer.
2. Power of the Melchisedek Priesthood: The Melchisedek Priesthood holds the right of Presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the Church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchisedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the Church. High Priests after the order of the Melchisedek Priesthood, have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the Presidency, in administering spiritual things; and also in the office of an Elder, Priest, (of the Levitical order), Teacher, Deacon, and member. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 106:8-10.)
While the statements here made about the higher officers of the Church administering in the lower offices—a High Priest officiating in the office of Elder, Priest, Teacher or Deacon—are limited to High Priests, yet the principle holds good as to Seventies also. Besides note the statement, "The Melchisedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency and has power and authority over all the offices in the Church, in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things;" and as the Seventy holds this Melchisedek Priesthood, he may, under the direction of the presidency (See Ibid verse 10), administer in any of the offices of the Church; also this has always been the practice of the Church; and the practice of the Church, generally speaking, is the best interpretation of the scripture.