Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)

See also: Quorum of the Twelve

The First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles in September 1898. (Reed Smoot is missing from this photograph.)

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (also known as the Quorum of the Twelve, the Council of the Twelve Apostles, or simply the Twelve) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are apostles, with the calling to be prophets, seers, and revelators, evangelical ambassadors, and special witnesses of Jesus Christ.

The quorum was first organized in 1835 and designated as a body of "traveling councilors" with jurisdiction outside areas where the church was formally organized, equal in authority to the First Presidency as well as to the Seventy, the standing Presiding High Council, and the High Councils of the various stakes (Doctrine & Covenants 107:25-27, 36-37). The jurisdiction of the Twelve was originally limited to areas of the world outside of Zion or its stakes. After the Apostles returned from England, Joseph Smith altered the responsibilities of the quorum. They were given charge of the affairs of the church, under direction of the First Presidency.

Role of the quorum in the LDS Church

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles claims a leadership role second only to that of the First Presidency. After the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was Brigham Young. Young emphasized what he said was Joseph Smith's authorization that the Quorum of the Twelve should be the church's central governing body of the church after Smith's death. Then in 1847, the Twelve reorganized the First Presidency with Young as President, and the Twelve took on a supporting role within a chain of command under the First Presidency, a role that continues to the present.

Church policy decisions are made unanimously, with consultation among the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and where appropriate, the Seventy, each of which has its own responsibility. A great deal of effort is made to ensure that the organizations are united in purpose and policy.

Each member of the quorum is accepted by the church as an apostle, as well as a "prophet, seer, and revelator." Thus, each apostle is considered to hold the rights ("keys of the Priesthood") to use all powers granted by God to the church. Individually and collectively, the Twelve Apostles hold the keys and have conferred the authority to exercise all of the keys upon the President of the Church, the one man who is to preside over the church. Thus, as outlined in the Doctrine and Covenants, only the President of the Church is entitled to receive revelation or dictate policy for the entire church.

A major role of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is to appoint a successor when the President of the Church dies. Shortly after this occurs, the apostles meet in a room of the Salt Lake Temple to appoint a successor. Invariably this has been the most senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with seniority determined by the longest continuous duration of service. The apostles lay their hands on his head and ordain him and set him apart as President of the Church. The president then chooses two counselors, who are high priests (usually apostles). The second most senior surviving apostle becomes the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In cases when the President of the Quorum is simultaneously called to be a counselor in the First Presidency, or is unable to serve due to health considerations, an acting president of the quorum is called in his stead to fill the position. This has invariably been the most senior member of the quorum who is not a member of the First Presidency.

As vacancies arise within the quorum, the Twelve and counselors in the First Presidency are invited to meet and counsel together in prayer in order to recommend names to the President of the Church as to whom will be called to fill the vacancy. The final decision rests with the President of the Church, but is sustained by the Twelve and the counselors in the First Presidency. The chosen man is generally ordained an apostle by the President of the Church, a counselor in the First Presidency, or the President of the Twelve. Depending on circumstances, this may occur before or after a sustaining vote is held at a general conference of the church, which is traditionally the occasion for the new apostle to be publicly announced and sustained by church members. Any faithful Melchizedek priesthood holder is eligible to be called as an apostle. Generally, new apostles have considerable experience in church government and have served faithfully in positions as bishops, stake presidents, mission presidents, or seventies.

As a matter of policy, apostles are generally asked to retire from their professional careers and devote themselves to full-time church service. Even members of boards and professional organizations are asked to resign those positions, although some of them receive assignments to become members of boards of church-owned for-profit corporations and trustees of the church's educational institutions. (Some exceptions have been made to this rule, as when quorum member Ezra Taft Benson was permitted to serve as United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1953 to 1961 and when quorum member Reed Smoot was permitted to serve in the United States Senate from 1903 to 1933.) The calling of an apostle is typically a lifetime calling.

Current members

Presently, the members of the quorum are as follows:

	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	Boyd K. Packer September 10, 1924 (1924-09-10)  American President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03). Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, June 5, 1994 (1994-06-05) – January 27, 2008 (2008-01-27). Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 9, 1970 (1970-04-09). Apostle, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 9, 1970 (1970-04-09). Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30) – April 9, 1970 (1970-04-09).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	L. Tom Perry August 5, 1922 (1922-08-05)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 6, 1974 (1974-04-06). Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 11, 1974 (1974-04-11). Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Harold B. Lee, October 6, 1972 (1972-10-06) – April 6, 1974 (1974-04-06).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:   Notes:	Russell M. Nelson September 9, 1924 (1924-09-09)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 7, 1984 (1984-04-07). Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 12, 1984 (1984-04-12). CES Board Member and Chairman, Executive Committee; Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:   Notes:	Dallin H. Oaks August 12, 1932 (1932-08-12)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 7, 1984 (1984-04-07). LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, May 3, 1984 (1984-05-03). Elder Oaks is a former professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School, a former president of Brigham Young University, and a former justice of the Utah Supreme Court. CES Board Member and Member, Executive Committee; Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System.
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:       Notes:	M. Russell Ballard October 8, 1928 (1928-10-08)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 6, 1985 (1985-10-06). LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 10, 1985 (1985-10-10) – October 6, 1985 (1985-10-06). Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, February 21, 1980 (1980-02-21) – October 6, 1985 (1985-10-06). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 3, 1976 (1976-04-03) – October 6, 1985 (1985-10-06). Grandson of both Hyrum Mack Smith and Melvin J. Ballard; direct descendent of Joseph F. Smith and Hyrum Smith. CES Board Member; Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	Richard G. Scott November 7, 1928 (1928-11-07)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 1, 1988 (1988-10-01). LDS Church Apostle, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 6, 1988 (1988-10-06). Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1983 (1983-10-01) – October 1, 1988 (1988-10-01). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 2, 1977 (1977-04-02) – October 1, 1988 (1988-10-01).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	Robert D. Hales August 24, 1932 (1932-08-24)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 2, 1994 (1994-04-02). LDS Church Apostle, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 7, 1994 (1994-04-07). Presiding Bishop, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 6, 1985 (1985-04-06) – April 2, 1994 (1994-04-02). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01) – April 6, 1985 (1985-04-06). Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 4, 1975 (1975-04-04) – October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	Jeffrey R. Holland December 3, 1940 (1940-12-03)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Howard W. Hunter, June 23, 1994 (1994-06-23). LDS Church Apostle, called by Howard W. Hunter, June 23, 1994 (1994-06-23). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 1, 1989 (1989-04-01) – June 23, 1994 (1994-06-23).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	David A. Bednar June 15, 1952 (1952-06-15)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2, 2004 (2004-10-02). LDS Church Apostle, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 7, 2004 (2004-10-07).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	Quentin L. Cook September 8, 1940 (1940-09-08)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06). LDS Church Apostle, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 11, 2007 (2007-10-11). Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 1, 2007 (2007-08-01) – October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 5, 1998 (1998-04-05) – October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06). Second Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 6, 1996 (1996-04-06) – April 5, 1998 (1998-04-05).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	D. Todd Christofferson January 24, 1945 (1945-01-24)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05). LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 10, 2008 (2008-04-10). Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 15, 1998 (1998-08-15) – April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 1, 1993 (1993-04-01) – April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05).
	Name: Born: Nationality: Positions:	Neil L. Andersen August 9, 1951 (1951-08-09)  American Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04). LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 9, 2009 (2009-04-09). Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 15, 2005 (2005-08-15) – April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04). First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 3, 1993 (1993-04-03) – April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04).

Apostles who were never members of the Quorum of the Twelve

The following men were ordained to the priesthood office of Apostle but were never members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Some, but not all, served in the First Presidency of the LDS Church.

	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions: Notes:	Joseph Smith, Jr. December 23, 1805(1805-12-23) June 27, 1844(1844-06-27) (aged 38)  American Founding president of the Church of Christ, April 6, 1830-June 27, 1844. Founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Also Mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois (1842–1844)
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:	Oliver Cowdery October 3, 1806(1806-10-03) March 3, 1850(1850-03-03) (aged 43)  American Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency, September 3, 1837 (1837-09-03) – April 11, 1838 (1838-04-11). Assistant President of the Church, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., December 5, 1834 (1834-12-05) – April 11, 1838 (1838-04-11). Second Elder of the Church, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., April 6, 1830 (1830-04-06) – December 5, 1834 (1834-12-05). Latter Day Saint Apostle, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., 1829 (aged 22) – April 12, 1838 (1838-04-12).
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	David Whitmer January 7, 1805(1805-01-07) January 7, 1805(1805-01-07) (aged -84) President of the Church (Church of Christ—Whitmerites), January 28, 1876 – January 25, 1888. President of the Church (Church of Christ—Whitmerites), September 7, 1847 – ca. 1848. President High Council, July 3, 1834 – January, 1838. President of Zion, July 7, 1834 – February 5, 1838. Latter Day Saint Apostle, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., June 1829 – June, 1838.
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:	Martin Harris May 18, 1783(1783-05-18) July 10, 1875(1875-07-10) (aged 92)  American Latter Day Saint Apostle, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., date unknown – ca. 1837.
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:         Notes:	Hyrum Smith February 9, 1800(1800-02-09) June 27, 1844(1844-06-27) (aged 44)  American Assistant President of the Church, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., January 24, 1841 (1841-01-24) – June 27, 1844 (1844-06-27). Latter Day Saint Apostle, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., January 24, 1841 (1841-01-24) – June 27, 1844 (1844-06-27). Presiding Patriarch, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., September 14, 1840 (1840-09-14) – June 27, 1844 (1844-06-27). Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., November 7, 1837 (1837-11-07) – January 24, 1841 (1841-01-24). Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Joseph Smith, Jr., September 3, 1837 (1837-09-03) – November 7, 1837 (1837-11-07). Brother of Joseph Smith, Jr.
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:     Notes:	Jedediah M. Grant February 21, 1816(1816-02-21) December 1, 1856(1856-12-01) (aged 40)  American Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Brigham Young, April 7, 1854 (1854-04-07) – December 1, 1856 (1856-12-01). LDS Church Apostle, called by Brigham Young, April 7, 1854 (1854-04-07) – December 1, 1856 (1856-12-01). First Seven Presidents of the Seventy, called by Brigham Young, December 2, 1845 (1845-12-02) – April 7, 1854 (1854-04-07). He was known for his fiery speeches during the Reformation of 1856, earning the nickname, "Brigham's Sledgehammer". He was a member of the Council of Fifty and Mayor of Salt Lake City (1851–1856). He is the father of Heber J. Grant, who later served as President of the Church.
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:     Notes:	Daniel H. Wells October 27, 1814(1814-10-27) March 24, 1891(1891-03-24) (aged 76)  American Counselor to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by John Taylor, October 6, 1877 (1877-10-06) – March 24, 1891 (1891-03-24). Second Counselor in First Presidency, called by Brigham Young, January 4, 1857 (1857-01-04) – August 29, 1877 (1877-08-29). LDS Church Apostle, called by Brigham Young, January 4, 1857 (1857-01-04) – March 24, 1891 (1891-03-24). Wells was a member of the Council of Fifty, Mayor of Salt Lake City (1866–1876), president of the Manti Utah Temple (1888–1891), and presided over the continuing construction of the Salt Lake Temple as the superintendent of public works for the LDS Church (1848–1863). On April 6, 1877, Wells, on behalf of Brigham Young, dedicated the St. George Utah Temple.
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:         Notes:	John Willard Young October 1, 1844(1844-10-01) February 12, 1924(1924-02-12) (aged 79)  American Counselor to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by John Taylor, October 6, 1877 (1877-10-06) – October 3, 1891 (1891-10-03). First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Brigham Young, October 8, 1876 (1876-10-08) – August 29, 1877 (1877-08-29). Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Brigham Young, May 9, 1874 (1874-05-09) – October 8, 1876 (1876-10-08). Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Brigham Young, June 8, 1873 (1873-06-08) – May 9, 1874 (1874-05-09). LDS Church Apostle, called by Brigham Young, November 22, 1855 (1855-11-22) – February 12, 1924 (1924-02-12). Served as member of the Council of Fifty. In 1888, Joseph F. Smith accused Young of unethically using church funds to maintain a lavish lifestyle. By April 1889, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were discussing Young’s release. In response, Young resigned from his position on October 3, 1891. For another 33 years, Young remained a church apostle, but never again served as a general authority.
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:	Joseph Angell Young October 14, 1834(1834-10-14) August 5, 1875(1875-08-05) (aged 40)  American LDS Church Apostle, called by Brigham Young, February 4, 1864 (1864-02-04) – August 5, 1875 (1875-08-05).
	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:	Alvin R. Dyer January 1, 1903(1903-01-01) March 6, 1977(1977-03-06) (aged 74)  American First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01) – March 6, 1977 (1977-03-06). Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, January 18, 1970 (1970-01-18) – October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01). Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1968 (1968-04-06) – January 18, 1970 (1970-01-18). LDS Church Apostle, called by David O. McKay, October 5, 1967 (1967-10-05) – March 6, 1977 (1977-03-06). Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1958 (1958-10-11) – October 5, 1967 (1967-10-05).

J. Reuben Clark

In addition, J. Reuben Clark was only a member of the Quorum of the Twelve for one week in 1945 and six days in 1951, which were periods of time when the First Presidency was dissolved due to the death of the President of the Church.

	Name: Born: Died: Nationality: Positions:                 Notes:	J. Reuben Clark September 1, 1871(1871-09-01) October 6, 1961(1961-10-06) (aged 90)  American First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, June 12, 1959 (1959-06-12) – October 6, 1961 (1961-10-06). Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, April 9, 1951 (1951-04-09) – June 12, 1959 (1959-06-12). Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 4, 1951 (1951-04-04) – April 9, 1951 (1951-04-09). First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by George Albert Smith, May 21, 1945 (1945-05-21) – April 4, 1951 (1951-04-04). Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, May 14, 1945 (1945-05-14) – May 21, 1945 (1945-05-21). First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Heber J. Grant, October 6, 1934 (1934-10-06) – April 9, 1951 (1951-04-09). Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 11, 1934 (1934-10-11) – October 11, 1934 (1934-10-11). LDS Church Apostle, called by Heber J. Grant, October 11, 1934 (1934-10-11) – October 6, 1961 (1961-10-06). Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1933 (1933-04-06) – October 6, 1934 (1934-10-06). Was also a United States Under Secretary of State (1928–1929) and the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (1930–1933).

See also

• Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
• Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)
• Council of the Church
• Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
• General authority
• List of general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)
• Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)
• Regional Representative of the Twelve
• Twelve Apostles

References

• Bergera, Gary James (1992). "Seniority in the Twelve: The 1875 Realignment of Orson Pratt". Journal of Mormon History 18 (1): 19–58. http://content.lib.utah.edu/u?/jmh,14720. .

External links

• Salt Lake Tribune article on new apostles being added in 2004
• Deseret News article on procedures for filling vacancies, 2004
• LDS Newsroom: Official biographies for leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: biographical sketches of current members of the Quorum
• Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: biographical sketches of all past and present members of the Quorum