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Close Topic OptionsFirst Presidency = Or > Quorum Of 12?
First Presidency = > Quorum 12 - Mormon Doctrine Studies - Posted: 22nd Aug, 2007 - 12:50pm
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Post Date: 21st Aug, 2007 - 10:25pm / Post ID: #
First Presidency = Or > Quorum Of 12?
I saw this quote of an LDS press release:
| QUOTE |
| With divine inspiration, the First Presidency (the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. |
But is this consistent with the Doctrine and Covenants, which reads:
| QUOTE |
| 22 Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church. 23 The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world-thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling. 24 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned. |
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Quorum gt Presidency First
| QUOTE (Tortdog's quote) |
| ...second-highest governing body of the Church |
I do not see how that contradicts the scripture with the use of "governing", especially since the First Presidency is made up of Apostles.
| Rather off topic, but... Within the Mature Board there is an aspect of this much greater to be analyzed or should we say... has been analyzed, wherein the original structure seems to be different from the current, but I digress there. |
Post Date: 21st Aug, 2007 - 11:42pm / Post ID: #
First Presidency = Or > Quorum Of 12? Studies Doctrine Mormon
Can you think of a similar example where a body is viewed as the higher governing body, while also having equal power and authority to the lesser governing body?
I can't.
As an example, the legislative branch and executive branch of the U.S. government are viewed as equal partners, with one not governing over the other. Yet, a city is viewed as a lesser governing body of a state, and the state certainly has power and authority over the city.
| Rather off topic, but... And since I created this topic, please indulge me by recognizing that it is not off topic in this discussion to bring in non-LDS examples vis-a-vis governing bodies. Those examples are pertinent to this discussion in my view, as they provide us with other frames of reference. |
Edited: tortdog on 21st Aug, 2007 - 11:45pmQuorum gt Presidency First
President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk about the First Presidency and he said:
| QUOTE |
| The place of the President of the Church and that of the Quorum of the First Presidency in having responsibility for the entire Church in all the world is clearly set forth in these revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. At the same time, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is spoken of as being "equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned" (D&C 107:24). The Seventy, likewise, "form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named" (D&C 107:26). The question arises, How can they be equal in authority? Speaking to this question, President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) taught: "I want here to correct an impression that has grown up to some extent among the people, and that is, that the Twelve Apostles possess equal authority with the First Presidency in the Church. This is correct when there is no other Presidency but the Twelve Apostles; but so long as there are three presiding Elders who possess the presiding authority in the Church, the authority of the Twelve Apostles is not equal to theirs. If it were so, there would be two equal authorities and two equal quorums in the Priesthood, running parallel, and that could not be, because there must be a head" (Elders" Journal, Nov. 1, 1906, 43). Likewise, the Seventy, who serve under the direction of the Twelve, would become equal in authority only in the event that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve were somehow destroyed. There have been lengthy periods when there was no Quorum of the First Presidency. Following the death of the Prophet Joseph, the presiding authority rested in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with Brigham Young as President. This continued for three and a half years. Following the death of Brigham Young, the authority again reverted to the Quorum of the Twelve and continued so for three years and two months. Following the death of John Taylor, one year and nine months passed before the First Presidency was reorganized. Since that time a reorganization of the Presidency has occurred within a few days following the death of the President. In every case the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has become President of the Church. Seniority is determined by the date of ordination to the apostleship. |
Quorum gt Presidency First
| QUOTE |
And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned. |
If you look at the verse 11 it explains the doctrine of authority.
| QUOTE |
An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high priest is not present. |
When the Presidency is not present then the Quorum of the twelve has the authority.
Edited: dbackers on 22nd Aug, 2007 - 12:45amPost Date: 22nd Aug, 2007 - 12:50pm / Post ID: #
First Presidency = Or > Quorum Of 12?
I think you have to go with LDSF's quote. Because when the scriptures talk of people being an elder, that refers to all high priests, not just the apostles. Otherwise, you'd have to go with the view that an apostle is ordained to an office when he becomes a member of the First Presidency, and we know that isn't the case.
Right?
Or is it your view that the scriptures refer to "high priest" and "elder" in that section as being:
* high priest = member of the First Presidency and
* elder = member of the Quorum of the 12.
TOPIC: First Presidency = Or > Quorum Of 12?