Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In Mormonism, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (also known as the Quorum of the Twelve, the Council of the Twelve, or the Twelve) is one of the governing bodies of church hierarchy in many Latter Day Saint denominations. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are considered apostles, with a special calling to be evangelical ambassadors and witnesses to Jesus Christ.

Related Topics:
Mormonism - Latter Day Saint - Apostle - Evangelical - Jesus Christ

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The Quorum was 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.

Related Topics:
Quorum - First Presidency - Seventy - Presiding High Council - High Council - Stake - Doctrine & Covenants

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After the assassination of Joseph Smith, Jr. on June 27, 1844, permanent schisms formed in the Latter Day Saint movement. The largest body, under the leadership of Brigham Young, retained the name of the church as it was at the time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and moved westward to Utah. Other groups scattered across the country, with the largest remaining in the midwest.

Related Topics:
Joseph Smith, Jr. - June 27 - 1844 - Schisms - Latter Day Saint movement - Brigham Young - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Utah

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