Seventy

Seventy is an office in the Melchizedek priesthood, and seventies have responsibilities as especial witnesses of Christ in all the world. Members of the Quorums of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve in one of eight quorums, with members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy being designated as General Authorities. Members of the Third through the Eighth Quorums of the Seventy are designated Area Seventies.
== History ==
In 1835 seven men were called as members of the Presidency of the Seventy. They were General Authorities to the Church. 
In the early days of the restored church, General Authorities were called to be Seventies who had no leadership experience in bishoprics, high councils, or stake presidencies, since High Priests had to fill those offices. Some were mission presidents and district presidents, which are callings that can be held by Elders. Seventies who never were high priests could not ordain stake presidents or other high priests. Brigham Young was aware of this problem and tried to change it before he died. There is evidence John Taylor did, also.
Seventies in the early days of the restored church primarily presided over stake seventies quorums, which were in turn guided by stake seventy quorum presidents. They also accompanied apostles to stake conferences and trained and taught gospel principles.
In 1960 David O. McKay announced that members of the seventies quorum would be high priests. Someone asked if it were contrary to the order of the heaven for seventies to be high priests. Harold B. Lee said what was contrary to the order in heaven in 1840 may not be contrary in 1960. That change was made in order for them to ordain stake leaders and high priests.
Still, only men from stake seventies quorums were called to the seventy and occasionally elders were. In 1975 President Spencer W. Kimball announced the creation of the First Quorum of the Seventy with 4 additional members. Since 1941, Assistants to the Twelve, who aided the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, were high priests. The next year President Kimball said Assistants to the Twelve would be members of the First Quorum of the Seventy, since their duties were very similar. In 1978 some were given emeritus status in order for more brethren to serve and for health reasons. 
In 1984 several members of the quorum were called for a period of years (usually 3 to 5) rather than for life. In 1989 a Second Quorum of the Seventy was created of those called for a period of years. They are presided over now by the Presidency of the Seventy whose membership rotates, as it is not a lifelong calling. In fact, many return to the first Quorum of the Seventy.
For many years Regional Representatives assisted General Authorities in training and conducting stake meetings. In 1995 they were released and replaced with area authorities; two years later, President Hinckley named them "area authority seventies" and installed them in quorums based on geography. They still keep their employment, live at home and serve for a period of years (usually five).
The stake seventy's office between Elder and High Priest was discontinued by President Ezra Taft Benson in 1986. 
== Individual Quorums ==
Members of the First Quorum now typically serve until the year they turn 70, though recently there has been flexibility, and many serve a few years beyond their 70th birthday. Many emeritus Seventies become temple presidents, also. 
Members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy serve an average of 5 or 6 years and even longer. The number of Quorums of Seventy can expand as needed, easing the work of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Increasing the numbers of quorums of seventy has created a seamless way to manage a quickly burgeoning church membership.
== First Quorum of the Seventy==
Surname 	Given Names 	Sustained 	Age Sust.	Born 	City Born 	State/Country	Children
Aidukaitis 	Marcos A. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	48 	1959083030 Aug 1959  	Porto Alegre 	Brazil 	5
Amado 	Carlos Humberto 	199210033 Oct 1992   	48 	1944092525 Sep 1944  	Guatemala City 	Guatemala 	5
Baxter 	David S. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	51 	195502077 Feb 1955   	Stirling 	Scotland 	4
Bowen 	Shayne M. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	51 	1954080729 Aug 1954  	Rigby 	Idaho 	7
Causse 	Gerald 	200804055 Apr 2008   	44 	1963052020 May 1963  	Bordeaux 	France 	5
Child 	Sheldon Fay 	200604066 Apr 2006   	67 	193805088 May 1938   	Ogden 	Utah 	6
Coleman 	Gary Jerome 	199704055 Apr 1997   	55 	1941090818 Sep 1941  	Wenatchee 	Washington 	6
Condie 	Spencer Joel 	199210033 Oct 1992   	52 	1940080827 Aug 1940  	Preston 	Idaho 	5
Corbridge 	Lawrence E. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	58 	194904066 Apr 1949   	Moscow 	Idaho 	5
De Hoyos 	Benjamin 	200504022 Apr 2005   	52 	1953020820 Feb 1953  	Monterrey 	Mexico 	6
Dickson 	John Baird 	199504011 Apr 1995   	51 	1943070812 Jul 1943  	Tacoma 	Washington 	8
Didier 	Charles Armand Andre	197910033 Oct 1979   	43 	193510055 Oct 1935   	Ixelles 	Belgium 	2
Evans 	David F. 	200504022 Apr 2005   	53 	1951080511 Aug 1951  	Salt Lake City 	Utah 	8
Falabella 	Enrique R. 	2007030231 Mar 2007  	56 	195005099 May 1950   	Guatemala City 	Guatemala 	5
Gavarret 	Eduardo 	200804055 Apr 2008   	51 	1956051111 May 1956  	Minas 	Uruguay 	3
Godoy 	Carlos A. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	47 	196102044 Feb 1961   	Porto Alegre 	Brazil 	4
Golden 	Christoffel, Jr. 	2001030531 Mar 2001  	48 	195206011 Jun 1952   	Johannesburg 	South Africa 	4
Grow 	Cecil Scott 	200504022 Apr 2005   	55 	194905055 May 1949   	Moscow 	Idaho 	8
Hafen 	Bruce Clark 	199604066 Apr 1996   	55 	1940100530 Oct 1940  	St. George 	Utah 	7
Hallstron 	Donald L. 	200004011 Apr 2000   	50 	1949070527 Jul 1949  	Honolulu 	Hawaii 	4
Hamula 	James J. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	50 	1957112020 Nov 1957  	Long Beach 	California 	6
Hilbig 	Kieth K. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	64 	1942030513 Mar 1942  	Milwaukee 	Wisconsin 	6
Hinckley 	Richard G. 	200504022 Apr 2005   	63 	194105022 May 1941   	Salt Lake City 	Utah 	4
Jensen 	Marlin Keith 	198904011 Apr 1989   	46 	1942050218 May 1942  	Ogden 	Utah 	8
Jensen 	Jay Edwin 	199504011 Apr 1995   	53 	194202055 Feb 1942   	Payson 	Utah 	6
Johnson 	Kenneth 	199004033 Apr 1990   	49 	194007055 Jul 1940   	Norwich 	England 	1
Johnson 	Paul Vere 	200504022 Apr 2005   	50 	1954060524 Jun 1954  	Gainesville 	Florida 	9
Johnson 	Daniel L. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	59 	1946120515 Dec 1946  	Colonia Juarex 	Mexico 	6
Kikuchi 	Yoshihiko 	197710011 Oct 1977   	36 	1941070525 Jul 1941  	Hokkaido 	Japan 	4
Koelliker 	Paul E. 	200504022 Apr 2005   	62 	1943030512 Mar 1943  	Pittsburg 	California 	7
Kopischke 	Erich W. 	2007030231 Mar 2007  	50 	1956100520 Oct 1956  	Elmshom 	Germany 	7
Madsen 	John Max 	199704055 Apr 1997   	57 	1939040524 Apr 1939  	Washington D.C.	  	6
Maynes 	Richard J. 	2001030531 Mar 2001  	50 	1950100529 Oct 1950  	Berkeley 	California 	4
Mickelson 	Lynn Alvin 	199304033 Apr 1993   	57 	1935070521 Jul 1935  	Idaho Falls 	Idaho 	9
Nash 	Marcus B. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	49 	1957030526 Mar 1957  	Seattle 	Washington 	5
Neuenschwander	Dennis Bramwell 	199410011 Oct 1994   	54 	193910066 Oct 1939   	Salt Lake City 	Utah 	4
Pace 	Glenn LeRoy 	199210033 Oct 1992   	52 	1940030621 Mar 1940  	Provo 	Utah 	6
Packer 	Allan F. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	59 	194807077 Jul 1948   	Brigham City 	Utah 	8
Pearson 	Kevin W. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	50 	1957041010 Apr 1957  	Salt Lake City 	Utah 	6
Perkins 	Anthony D. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	45 	1960070622 Jul 1960  	Cortez 	Colorado 	6
Pieper 	Paul B. 	200504022 Apr 2005   	47 	195710077 Oct 1957   	Pocatello 	Idaho 	6
Pino 	Rafael E. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	52 	1955102727 Oct 1955  	Valencia 	Venezuela 	3
Porter 	Bruce D. 	200304055 Apr 2003   	50 	1952070718 Jul 1952  	Albuquerque 	New Mexico 	4
Pratt 	Carl Barton 	199704055 Apr 1997   	55 	1941100730 Oct 1941  	Monterrey 	Mexico 	8
Robbins 	Lynn G. 	200004011 Apr 2000   	47 	1952100727 Oct 1952  	Cortez 	Colorado 	6
Samuelson 	Cecil Osborn, Jr. 	199410011 Oct 1994   	53 	194108011 Aug 1941   	Salt Lake City 	Utah 	5
Soares 	Ulisses 	200504022 Apr 2005   	46 	195810022 Oct 1958   	Sao Paulo 	Brazil 	3
Stevenson 	Gary E. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	52 	195508066 Aug 1955   	Ogden 	Utah 	4
Teh 	Michael J. 	2007030531 Mar 2007  	41 	1965060225 Jun 1965  	Davao City 	Philippines 	3
Teixeira 	Jose A. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	47 	1961022424 Feb 1961  	Vila Real 	Portugal 	3
Tenorio 	Octaviano 	2007030531 Mar 2007  	64 	1942100231 Oct 1942  	Tilapan 	Mexico 	5
Viñas 	Francisco Jose 	199804055 Apr 1998   	51 	1946120228 Dec 1946  	Montevideo 	Uruguay 	3
Watson 	F. Michael 	200804055 Apr 2008   	65 	1943031919 Mar 1943  	Spring City 	Utah 	12
Wickman 	Lance B. 	200004011 Apr 2000   	59 	1940110211 Nov 1940  	Seattle 	Washington 	5
Zeballos 	Jorge F. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	52 	1955071919 Jul 1955  	Ovalle 	Chile 	5
Zivic 	Claudio D. 	2007030531 Mar 2007  	58 	1948120219 Dec 1948  	Buenos Aires 	Argentina 	5
Zwick 	William Craig 	199504011 Apr 1995   	47 	1947060230 Jun 1947  	Salt Lake City 	Utah 	4
Total 	56 	  	  	  	  	  	 
(See also Jorge Zeballos.)
== Second Quorum of the Seventy==
Surname 	Given Names	Sustained 	Age Sust.	Born 	City Born 	State/Country	Children
Arnold 	Mervyn B. 	200304055 Apr 2003   	54 	19480719 Jul 1948   	Salt Lake City	Utah 	6
Callister 	Tad R. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	62 	1945121717 Dec 1945  	Glendale 	California 	6
Callister 	Douglas L. 	200004011 Apr 2000   	61 	19390217 Feb 1939   	Glendale 	California 	6
Cardon 	Craig A. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	57 	19481230 Dec 1948   	Mesa 	Arizona 	8
Christensen	Craig C. 	200210055 Oct 2002   	46 	19560318 Mar 1956   	Salt Lake City	Utah 	4
Christensen	Shirley D. 	200304055 Apr 2003   	64 	193901088 Jan 1939   	Preston 	Idaho 	7
Clarke 	Don R. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	60 	1945120811 Dec 1945  	Rexburg 	Idaho 	6
Dunn 	James M. 	200210055 Oct 2002   	62 	1940040816 Apr 1940  	Pocatello 	Idaho 	6
Edwards 	Keith R. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	64 	1942030816 Mar 1942  	Boulder City 	Nevada 	7
Ellis 	Stanley G. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	59 	1947010822 Jan 1947  	Burley 	Idaho 	9
Garn 	Daryl H. 	200210055 Oct 2002   	63 	1938120828 Dec 1938  	Tremonton 	Utah 	6
Gibbons 	Larry W. 	200604011 Apr 2006   	63 	1942070830 Jul 1942  	Logan 	Utah 	2
Jones 	Spencer V. 	200210055 Oct 2002   	57 	1945090817 Sep 1945  	Safford 	Arizona 	3
Ko 	Won Young 	200504022 Apr 2005   	59 	1945100815 Oct 1945  	Pusan 	South Korea 	2
Lund 	Gerald N. 	200204066 Apr 2002   	62 	1939090812 Sep 1939  	Fountain Green	Utah 	7
Oaks 	Robert C. 	200004011 Apr 2000   	64 	1936020814 Feb 1936  	Los Angeles 	California 	6
Parmley 	William W. 	200304055 Apr 2003   	67 	1936010822 Jan 1936  	Salt Lake City	Utah 	4
Paul 	Wolfgang H.	200504022 Apr 2005   	65 	1940020828 Feb 1940  	Munster 	Germany 	3
Shumway 	W. Douglas 	200304055 Apr 2003   	62 	194005088 May 1940   	St. Johns 	Arizona 	8
Snow 	Lowell M. 	200504022 Apr 2005   	61 	194401022 Jan 1944   	St. George 	Utah 	5
Steuer 	Robert R. 	2001030231 Mar 2001  	57 	194312066 Dec 1943   	Milwaukee 	Wisconsin 	5
Sybrowsky 	Paul K. 	200504022 Apr 2005   	60 	1944080622 Aug 1944  	Salt Lake City	Utah 	9
Walker 	William R. 	200204066 Apr 2002   	57 	1944050625 May 1944  	Raymond 	Canada 	5
Watson 	Kent D. 	200804055 Apr 2008   	64 	194305088 May 1943   	Cedar City 	Utah 	5
Wood 	Robert S. 	199904033 Apr 1999   	62 	1936120625 Dec 1936  	Idaho Falls 	Idaho 	4
Total 	25 	  	  	  	  	  	 
Source: Deseret Morning News 2008 Church Almanac, 42-59 and Deseret Morning News, "Brief biographies of new leaders called to LDS Church hierarchy", Saturday, April 5, 2008
== Other References ==
* "Area Authority Seventies: 'To Bear Record of My Name in All the World'" (lds.org)
* The Unfolding Role of the Seventy, by Elder Earl Tingey
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Category:Church Leaders
Category:Church Callings and Leadership