Area Seventies

Organized on February 28, 1835, in Kirtland, Ohio, the Quorum of the Seventy were called to be “especial witnesses” of Christ and assist the Twelve in administering and building up the Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:23–38). Many of the initial members were participants in Zion’s Camp. Initially, there was a single quorum; over time, hundreds of quorums were created in stakes. Seven presidents presided over all the quorums and were known as the First Council of the Seventy.

General Authorities who had previously served in the First Council of the Seventy and as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were organized into the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1976. Local quorums of the Seventy were discontinued in 1986. The Second Quorum of the Seventy was organized in 1989, and regional representatives were replaced by Area Authorities in 1995 to accommodate the growing Church. Area Authorities became Area Seventies in 1997 and now number 12 geographic quorums. All quorums work under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Online Resources

Presidency of the Seventy Home Page

This is an official Church web page about the Presidency of the Seventy, which oversees the Quorums of the Seventy. It contains links to brief biographies and photographs of each member of the Presidency.

Quorums of the Seventy Home Page

This is an official Church web page about the Quorums of the Seventy. It contains links to brief biographies and photographs of each current General Authority Seventy.

Quorums of the Seventy (Area Seventies) Home Page

This is an official Church web page about the Area Seventies. It contains links to the different quorums and the areas they serve.

The Unfolding Role of the Seventy: A Timeline

A timeline prepared by the Church highlighting important events throughout the history of the Quorums of the Seventy.

“Seventy,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism

This entry contains three relevant articles: “Seventy: Overview,” “Seventy: First Council of the Seventy,” and “Seventy: Quorums of Seventy.” The first article describes the office of Seventy and discusses its establishment in the 1830s and its subsequent development. The second article discusses the General Authority office of Seventy before 1975, when its functions and officers were incorporated into the current Quorums of the Seventy. The third article describes the organization and duties of members of the Seventy in the Church today.

“The Seventies’ Role in Worldwide Church Administration”

A chapter by Richard O. Cowan from the book A Firm Foundation: Church Organization & Administration. The chapter illustrates the history and current role of the Quorums of the Seventy. Available online through the BYU Religious Studies Center.

What is the difference between a General Authority Seventy, Area Seventy, and General Officer?

A Church News article published in May 2020 that explains the different roles each type of Seventy has: General Authority Seventy, Presidency of the Seventy, Area Presidency, and Area Seventy.

Ensign Articles

L. Aldin Porter, “A History of the Latter-day Seventy,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 14–20.

Earl C. Tingey, “The Quorums of the Seventy,” Ensign, Aug. 2005, 48–50.

Earl C. Tingey, “The Saga of Revelation: The Unfolding Role of the Seventy,” Ensign, Sept. 2009, 54–60.

Church History Library Textual Resources (Available at the Church History Library)

Nauvoo Seventies List  (M270 N314 199-? v. 1-3)

A three-volume resource containing biographical information about members of the Quorums of the Seventy who were called or ordained from 1835 to 1850. Available in the public area of the library.

Seventies’ Autobiographies (M270 S497 199-?)

A compilation of brief autobiographies written by Nauvoo-era members of the Quorums of the Seventy. It is located behind the reference desk and is also available digitally through the Church History Catalog.

Genealogical Society biographies of seventies, circa 1945–1952 (CR 226 113)

A compilation of biographical information on members of Seventies quorums. Many early autobiographical sketches are transcribed from Seventies record books.

Seventies Quorum records, 1844–1975 (CR 499)

Microfilm that contains records of the local Area Seventies quorums 2 through 560. Includes attendance rolls, genealogies, biographies, financial records, and quorum publications. Please request this collection at the reference desk inside the Church History Library.