Understanding the structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints requires looking at its basic unit of organization, the ward, which is often compared to a congregation in other denominations. When asking how many seventies are there in the LDS Church, it is essential to first clarify that the number is not fixed to a specific total like a static population figure. Instead, the quantity of ordained Seventies fluctuates based on the needs of the global ministry, the age requirements of members, and the constant calling and releasing of leaders by the church presidency.
The Role of the Seventy in Modern Ministry
The priesthood office of the Seventy is a critical leadership position within the LDS Church, distinct from the higher office of Apostle. Historically drawn from the original Quorum of the Seventy established in the early 1830s, the modern calling serves as a bridge between the general authorities and the local congregations. These men are primarily tasked with traveling to various areas of the world to preach the gospel, provide training, and ensure the spiritual and administrative cohesion of the church in distant regions.
Distinguishing the Two Quorums
It is common for observers to confuse the numbers of Apostles and Seventies, so understanding the distinction is vital to answering the initial question accurately. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles consists of exactly twelve men, who are considered the highest governing body in the church after the First Presidency. In contrast, the Quorum of the Seventy is significantly larger, though not unlimited, and operates under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Current Organizational Structure
The church organizes the Seventies into multiple quorums, with the Quorum of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holding seniority. The general authorities who are Seventies are organized into seven separate quorums, each consisting of up to seventy members. This structure allows the church to deploy a substantial force of experienced leaders to oversee the construction of temples, the translation of materials, and the guidance of stakes and missions worldwide.
How the Number is Determined
The total number of Seventies serving at any given time is not the result of a mathematical calculation but a directive based on revelation and practical need. The church president, acting as the prophet, determines how many men are necessary to efficiently manage the over 30,000 congregations spread across the globe. This number generally hovers around 330 to 350 active general authorities who hold the specific calling of the Seventy, though this figure can increase or decrease during general conference proceedings.
Local vs. General Authority
It is important to differentiate between the general authorities, who are members of the First Presidency or the Quorums of the Twelve and Seventy, and local leaders. The vast majority of individuals who hold the priesthood office of Seventy serve in a local capacity within their ward or stake and are not part of the general authority quorums. These local Seventies assist the bishop in administering temporal and spiritual matters, but they do not travel internationally or receive the same level of sustained revelation as the general authorities.
