What Is 1st Quorum of the Seventy

Overview

The 1st Quorum of the Seventy is a governing body within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), responsible for supporting the Twelve Apostles in administering the global church. Members are called as general authorities and serve under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Originally created in 1975 during a major reorganization of church leadership, the Quorum was formed to help manage the increasing international growth of the church. Unlike the original Quorum of the Seventy from the 19th century, modern seventies serve full-time until retirement age, typically around 70.

• Established in 1975 by President Spencer W. Kimball to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding global church membership and missionary program.
• Composed of up to 70 members, though the actual number varies; members are called from diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds across the world.
• Members are sustained as general authorities, giving them authority to act church-wide, preach, and administer ecclesiastical duties anywhere.
• Service is typically until age 70, at which point members are granted emeritus status and released from active duties.
• Acts as special witnesses of Jesus Christ, similar to the Twelve Apostles, but with a focus on administrative and organizational leadership.

How It Works

The functioning of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy revolves around its role as a bridge between central church leadership and regional operations across the world. Members are assigned to specific geographic areas or functional departments to oversee church programs, training, and doctrinal consistency.

• Term: Members serve until age 70 or until released by the First Presidency; there is no fixed term length, allowing for flexible leadership deployment.
• Calling process involves revelation and approval by the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles, with members formally sustained in general conference.
• Travel is a core responsibility; members regularly visit stakes, missions, and temples to provide training, conduct leadership meetings, and strengthen local leaders.
• Administrative oversight includes supervising mission presidents, area presidencies, and temple operations within assigned regions.
• Succession planning ensures continuity; if a member dies or retires, new seventies are typically called during the next general conference.
• Emeritus status is granted upon release, allowing former members to continue limited service without full-time responsibilities.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1st Quorum of the Seventy differs from other leadership bodies in the LDS Church in authority, function, and duration of service.

While the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles hold higher doctrinal authority, the 1st Quorum of the Seventy plays a crucial operational role in maintaining the church’s global structure. Their assignments are dynamic, often shifting based on church needs and geographic priorities.

Why It Matters

The 1st Quorum of the Seventy is essential to the scalability and coherence of the LDS Church’s international presence. By decentralizing leadership while maintaining doctrinal unity, the church ensures consistent teaching and administration across cultures and languages.

• Enables global scalability by allowing senior leaders to delegate oversight of distant regions to trusted general authorities.
• Strengthens local leadership through regular training, mentoring, and evaluation of bishops, stake presidents, and mission leaders.
• Ensures doctrinal consistency by providing a direct link between local units and the highest levels of church leadership.
• Supports missionary expansion with members often assigned to train missionaries and oversee mission operations in high-growth areas.
• Facilitates crisis response during natural disasters or political instability by deploying leaders to assist local congregations.
• Models lifelong service by exemplifying dedication to faith and duty, often requiring members to leave careers to serve full-time.

As the LDS Church continues to grow, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the role of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy becomes increasingly vital in maintaining both spiritual and organizational integrity across diverse regions.