HappyJackWagon Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 How many quorums of the 70 are currently organized? I've recently heard that on the pictoral leadership roster where it previously listed members of the 1st and 2nd quorums, it now just reads General Authority 70. Can anyone confirm this? If so, has there been a statement from the church indicating a change in how the 70 are to be titled or is it just a matter of a graphic artist labeling it differently?
Okrahomer Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 There are currently eight Quorums of the Seventy. Please see here. The 1st and 2nd Quorums are General Authorities, while members of the other quorums are called "Area Seventies". The General Authority pictures from lds.org show both quorums separately. Please see here.
HappyJackWagon Posted October 30, 2015 Author Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks Okrahomer. Isn't there an updated October 2015 picture? That's the one I was told didn't separate the 1st & 2nd quorums but I can't find the picture.
Scott Lloyd Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) How many quorums of the 70 are currently organized? I've recently heard that on the pictoral leadership roster where it previously listed members of the 1st and 2nd quorums, it now just reads General Authority 70. Can anyone confirm this? If so, has there been a statement from the church indicating a change in how the 70 are to be titled or is it just a matter of a graphic artist labeling it differently?The Church News publishes the General Authority chart just after conference, and we were directed to do it the way we did it this time from Church headquarters. Im quite certain it is to make the chart less unwieldy and does not signal any change in the way the Seventy are organized. Edited to add: Okrahomer is quite right about the distinction between General Authority Seventies and Area Seventies. Edited October 30, 2015 by Scott Lloyd 1
HappyJackWagon Posted October 30, 2015 Author Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks, Scott.Did the new pictoral organization make much of a difference in the "unwield"iness of the photo. Also, I'm curious about the 7 presidents of the 70. Is it strange that there are 7 presidents for 8 quorums? Does each president represent a quorum or do the presidents work together as a quorum to direct all the work of the 70's? Edited October 30, 2015 by HappyJackWagon
Okrahomer Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks, Scott.Did the new pictoral organization make much of a difference in the "unwield"iness of the photo. Also, I'm curious about the 7 presidents of the 70. Is it strange that there are 7 presidents for 8 quorums? Does each president represent a quorum or do the presidents work together as a quorum to direct all the work of the 70's? There is a link to "Presidency of the Seventy" included within the article I cited above. It's clear from the article that the 7 presidents are drawn only from the General Authority Seventy (i.e., the 1st and 2nd Quorums); but they preside over all of the quorums together. One thing I had never noticed before is that in accordance with the instructions in the D&C, the "seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six." "The Presidency of the Seventy consists of seven members of the First or Second Quorum of the Seventy who are called by the First Presidency and are given authority to preside over the Quorums of the Seventy.Most presidencies in the Church have a presidency of three: a president and two counselors. However, in accordance with scripture, all are presidents in the Presidency of the Seventy—none are counselors: “And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy; and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six” (D&C 107:93–94)." Edited October 30, 2015 by Okrahomer
Scott Lloyd Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks, Scott.Did the new pictoral organization make much of a difference in the "unwield"iness of the photo. That's a matter of opinion, I suppose. What it does is obviate the need to have separate headers for individual quroums. Also, I'm curious about the 7 presidents of the 70. Is it strange that there are 7 presidents for 8 quorums? Does each president represent a quorum or do the presidents work together as a quorum to direct all the work of the 70's? There have always been seven men in what today is called the Presidency of the Seventy. And no, there is not one man designated as the president of each individual quorums. They preside together over all of the Quorums of the Seventy. Elder Rasband, who was just sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, previously referred to himself as the senior president of the Quorums of the Seventy.
HappyJackWagon Posted October 30, 2015 Author Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) There is a link to "Presidency of the Seventy" included within the article I cited above. It's clear from the article that the 7 presidents are drawn only from the General Authority Seventy (i.e., the 1st and 2nd Quorums); but they preside over all of the quorums together. One thing I had never noticed before is that in accordance with the instructions in the D&C, the "seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six." "The Presidency of the Seventy consists of seven members of the First or Second Quorum of the Seventy who are called by the First Presidency and are given authority to preside over the Quorums of the Seventy.Most presidencies in the Church have a presidency of three: a president and two counselors. However, in accordance with scripture, all are presidents in the Presidency of the Seventy—none are counselors: “And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy; and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six” (D&C 107:93–94)."This is interesting. None are counselors but there seems to still be a heirarchy. Elder Clayton is the senior president of the presidents of the 70. I'm not sure how that functions differently than a president and counselors. Edited October 30, 2015 by HappyJackWagon
Stone holm Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) Back when the Dinosaurs roamed the Earth and we had Quorums of Seventy at the Stake level, they also had Seven Presidents of Seventy at the Stake level. I had always believed that was the way the 70 were organized from the beginning. But could be wrong. Edited October 30, 2015 by Stone holm 1
Scott Lloyd Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 This is interesting. None are counselors but there seems to still be a heirarchy. Elder Clayton is the senior president of the presidents of the 70. I'm not sure how that functions differently than a president and counselors.The proper terminology is the senior president of the Quorums of the Seventy. It strikes me as a coordinating role: scheduling and leading meetings, determining assignments in visiting stakes and missions, etc.
Okrahomer Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 This is interesting. None are counselors but there seems to still be a heirarchy. Elder Clayton is the senior president of the presidents of the 70. I'm not sure how that functions differently than a president and counselors. I'm not sure how it functions either. Thanks for asking the question. I had never really thought about this before.
Scott Lloyd Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 FWIW, here is an article I wrote back in 2011 about the office of Seventy in the Church. It is largely based on an interview I did with Elder Rasband, who was the senior president back then. 2
HappyJackWagon Posted October 30, 2015 Author Posted October 30, 2015 FWIW, here is an article I wrote back in 2011 about the office of Seventy in the Church. It is largely based on an interview I did with Elder Rasband, who was the senior president back then.Thanks. That's an interesting article.I found this part interesting. Elder Rasband's other point of emphasis is verse 95, which provides that the seven presidents are to choose other Seventy. "That's what we're doing, under the direction of the First Presidency and the Twelve," he said. "Of course we propose them to the First Presidency and they make the calls, but they are leaning upon us and asking us to make those selections."I didn't realize the presidents of the 70 were so instrumental in proposing individuals to the First Presidency.
ERayR Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) Back when the Dinosaurs roamed the Earth and we had Quorums of Seventy at the Stake level, they also had Seven Presidents of Seventy at the Stake level. I had always believed that was the way the 70 were organized from the beginning. But could be wrong. Yes each ward in the stake had a Seventies group and combined they made up the stake Seventies quorum. The stake Seventies presidency was called from the groups with one called as the presiding member of the seven presidents. Edited October 30, 2015 by ERayR
Scott Lloyd Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Yes each ward in the stake had a Seventies group and combined they made up the stake Seventies quorum. The stake Seventies presidency was called from the groups with one called as the presiding member of the seven presidents.It wasn't that way from the beginning though, contrary to what stone holm surmised. It started out as a general Church office, as it is today. See the link to my article, which briefly traces the history. 1
MiserereNobis Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 (edited) Fascinating! (which is why I participate on this board) Edited October 31, 2015 by MiserereNobis 1
Robert F. Smith Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Yes each ward in the stake had a Seventies group and combined they made up the stake Seventies quorum. The stake Seventies presidency was called from the groups with one called as the presiding member of the seven presidents.Yes, Hugh Nibley was at one time a Seventy in his ward and stake. They were primarily missionary oriented.
HappyJackWagon Posted November 2, 2015 Author Posted November 2, 2015 Yes, Hugh Nibley was at one time a Seventy in his ward and stake. They were primarily missionary oriented.My father was a 70 of this sort as were many others I know. He describes it as the equivalent of being a stake missionary for many years. A 65ish year old man in my ward who had been a 70 was recently ordained a High Priest. I thought this was interesting because in the current vernacular a 70 sounds like a higher office (at least to me) than a High Priest.
ERayR Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 Yes, Hugh Nibley was at one time a Seventy in his ward and stake. They were primarily missionary oriented. Yes we were/are. I was a Seventy in three different stakes/wards and served as presiding president in one stake.
ERayR Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 My father was a 70 of this sort as were many others I know. He describes it as the equivalent of being a stake missionary for many years. A 65ish year old man in my ward who had been a 70 was recently ordained a High Priest. I thought this was interesting because in the current vernacular a 70 sounds like a higher office (at least to me) than a High Priest. The Melchizadek priesthood is the same the offices (Elder, Seventy, High Priest) are different callings (responsibilities) in the MP. 1
Scott Lloyd Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 (edited) Yes we were/are. I was a Seventy in three different stakes/wards and served as presiding president in one stake. The Melchizadek priesthood is the same the offices (Elder, Seventy, High Priest) are different callings (responsibilities) in the MP.I was ordained a seventy not long before the Church discontinued seventies quorums in the stakes. I was given the option to affiliate with either the elders or the high priests in my ward. Not wanting to be old before my time (this was years ago), I elected to go back into the elders quorum. I remained in elders quorums for years before finally being ordained a high priest and simultaneously being called as high priests group leader. Edited November 2, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
ERayR Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 I was ordained a seventy not long before the Church discontinued seventies quorums in the stakes. I was given the option to affiliate with either the elders or the high priests in my ward. Not wanting to be old before my time (this was years ago), I elected to go back into the elders quorum. I remained in elders quorums for years before finally being ordained a high priest and simultaneously being called as high priests group leader. I didn't have that choice. They ordained me a High Priest and called me as scout master.
jkwilliams Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 I was ordained a seventy not long before the Church discontinued seventies quorums in the stakes. I was given the option to affiliate with either the elders or the high priests in my ward. Not wanting to be old before my time (this was years ago), I elected to go back into the elders quorum. I remained in elders quorums for years before finally being ordained a high priest and simultaneously being called as high priests group leader. I wish I'd had that choice. I was 32 when I was ordained a high priest at the same time I was released as elders quorum president. In our high priests group, the next youngest to me was 68. I'd probably fit in better these days, but I felt like a fish out of water.
HappyJackWagon Posted November 2, 2015 Author Posted November 2, 2015 I wish I'd had that choice. I was 32 when I was ordained a high priest at the same time I was released as elders quorum president. In our high priests group, the next youngest to me was 68. I'd probably fit in better these days, but I felt like a fish out of water.Ha. That sounds familiar. Our average age in HPG is 70 and then there's me at 40. Next closest is mid-50's. Guess who gets all of the set up/clean up assignments. Any given Sunday 1/2 of our group is sleeping. I'm barely exagerating I've even had to check on a guy who had toppled over and was laying on the pew. I thought maybe he had died but thankfully it was just time for a nap.
jkwilliams Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 Ha. That sounds familiar. Our average age in HPG is 70 and then there's me at 40. Next closest is mid-50's. Guess who gets all of the set up/clean up assignments. Any given Sunday 1/2 of our group is sleeping. I'm barely exagerating I've even had to check on a guy who had toppled over and was laying on the pew. I thought maybe he had died but thankfully it was just time for a nap. Oddly enough, I've found high priests group meetings to be much more animated than elders quorum ever was. In elders quorum, it was often difficult to get people engaged in the discussion, but every high priest has an opinion. 1
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