Episode 16 (April 22-28) "What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?"

Listen to Episode 16 (April 22-28): "What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?" here.


In this episode, we discuss the "love others AND yourself", who are the Seventy?, and be good to your neighbor.




When you love your neighbor, you are a SUPER hero!
Resources quoted in this episode:

- New Testament Seminary Manual, Matthew 18





Info on the Seventy from my Dad:

"The Seventy (as indicated in the OT & NT) assist in the work of the Gospel, acting under the direction of the presiding officers. In our dispensation, that means they act under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Qof12).

The definitive scriptural description of the 70 is found in D&C 107:

25. “The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, & to be especial
witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world — thus differing
from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.”
34. “The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction
of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the church
and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto
the Gentiles and then to the Jews;”
38. “It is the duty of the traveling high council (Qof12) to call upon
the Seventy, when they need assistance, to fill the several calls for
preaching and administering the gospel, instead of any others.”

Verse 38 is probably the best description yet. They act under the direction of the Qof12 to fill the assignments throughout the world that the apostles simply cannot meet due to sheer numbers. That was the reason the Savior commissioned 70 – He & the 12 simply could not cover all of the preaching assignments themselves, so He called and assigned others to the work.

The organization of the 70 is detailed in D&C 107:93-98. The 70 are presided over by the Presidency of the 70 – seven members of the first Quorum called by the Qof12 to this special assignment. They meet with the Qof12, receive assignments, and then delegate authority to the other 70 to travel throughout the world accordingly (e.g. to preside over stake conferences – that is always done by assignment). There are currently 8 quorums of 70. As indicated in your excerpt, members of the 1st and 2nd Qof70 are designated “general authorities” – they have authority throughout the world. Members of the 1st quorum are generally called for an indefinite period of time, to conclude when they reach age 70, when they are released & given “emeritus” status. This simply means that they no longer have to travel and won’t generally receive regular assignments. Members of the 2nd quorum of 70 are generally called for a period of 5 – 10 year, although that is not definite and seems to be being extended now. They are released when their service is concluded.

Members of the 3rd – 8th Qof70 are designated “area authorities” – their authority is limited to a specific area (e.g. North American Southeast Area -> NASE) and do not have authority to direct the work outside of that specific area. They are generally called for a period of 5 – 7 years and are released thereafter, as was Elder Bluth last August.

The Area 70 are usually presided over by 3 members of the 1st/2nd Qof70 called to serve as the “Area Presidency” over a given area, e.g. NASE Area. Elder Costa is the Area President here in the NASE Area, assisted by Elder Bowen & Elder Stanfill of the 70. They handle the day-to-day, week-to-week interaction with and direction of the Area 70 here in the NASE Area. They report to and receive direction from the Presidency of the 70.

Bottom line is that the 70 are called by the Lord to assist the Qof12 to administer & preach the Gospel to all of the world. They have a definite organization and act under the direction of the Qof12. They bear witness of the Savior and His Church throughout the world whereever they are called/assigned to serve and regulate the operation of the Church."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

S2 E6 (Feb 3-9) “We Lived after the Manner of Happiness”

Episode 34 (August 26-September 1): "Ye Are The Body of Christ"

Episode 5, Part B