History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

COUNCILS. 347
of seventies. 12 According to Elder John Jaques, to
whose little book on the priesthood I am indebted for
this information, there were in 1882 seventy-six councils
of seventies, with seventy members in each council
when complete. Elders are organized in councils of
ninety-six, each council having a president and two
councillors. Priests are organized in councils of
forty-eight, each with a president—who must be a
bishop—and two councillors. Teachers are organized
in councils of twenty-four, and deacons in councils of
twelve, each with a president and two councillors. 13
In the society of saints, there are territorial divisions
into what are called Stakes of Zion. In Utah,
these divisions correspond usually, but not necessa-
rily, with the counties, each county being a stake.
12 In February 1835, Joseph Smith, with the aid of the recently appointed
apostles, proceeded to organize two quorums of the seventies, whose duties
were to assist in the missionary work of the church. Each quorum had seven
presidents, and these constituted the councils of the two organizations. Joseph
Youngsen, who gives an account of the seventies, gives the names of the
presidents of the first quorum only, as follows: Hazen Aldrich, Joseph
Young, Levi W. Hancock, Leonard Rich, Zebedee Coltrin, Lyman Sherman,
and Sylvester Smith. After noting the changes in the interval, he states
that in 1S78 the presidents were Young, sen., Hancock, Henry Herriman,
Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, and John Van Cott.
Hist, of Organ, of Seventies, 1-8. In an account of the dedication of their
hall at Nauvoo, in 1844, it is stated there were fifteen quorums—one thousand
and fifty in all, if each quorum was full. Times and Seasons, vi. 794.
13 For act of incorporation of Mormon church, 1851, see Utah, Acts Legist.
(ed. 18GG), 108; S. L. C. Contributor, ii. 270; number and wealth of churches,
Seventh Census Rept, 1851-2, 45; prayer in the family, Robinson's Siuneis and
Saints, 243-4; church property, and law regulating it, Richards' Narr., MS.,
83; church government, Ward's Husband in Utah, 16-17; Mil. Star, iii. 07; positions
of church officials, Id., xv. 709. As showing the relative standing of
the church dignitaries, the order of voting, as prescribed at the conference
which elected Taylor to the presidency in 18S0, is given. The twelve apostles
and their councillors; the patriarchs; presidents of stakes and their
councillors, and the high-councils; the high-priests; the seventies; the elders;
the bishops and their councillors; the lesser priesthood— priests, teachers,
and deacons. The members of each order voted standing and with the right
hand uplifted, and finally the congregation voted in the same manner. S. L.
City Tribune, Oct. 11, 1880. On faith and doctrine, see Jaques' Church of
Jesus Christ, passim; Hand-book of Reference, passim; Jaques' Catechism,
passim; Booh of Doctrine and Covenants, passim; Richards' and Little's Compendium,
passim; Articles of Our Faith, passim; Pearl of Great Price, passim;
Times and Seasons, passim; Millennial Star, passim; Deseret New*, passim;
Moffat's Catechism, passim; Pratt's Persecutions, passim; Pratt's Voice of
Warning, passim; Reynolds' Book of Abraham, passim; and many other
books, pamphlets, and periodicals by various members and dignitaries of the
church.