| 438 "The law also contemplates the Seventy as a legislative body, and a decision made by these quorums (if unanimous) is of like importance as a decision of the Twelve.
"It may also be concluded that any act which an high priest might do, while abroad as a minister of the gospel building up the church, might be legitimately done by one of the Seventy; for in speaking of the difference between the two quorums, the law says: that those who belong not unto this quorum, neither unto the Twelve, are not under the responsibility to travel, nevertheless they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church; evidently carrying the inference that this was an office in authority greater than an elder, and if an elder may, why may not a seventy, or an apostle preside.
"It is eminently becoming to the office of a seventy to be contented and cheerful, full of the hope of a renewed covenant; free from the resident care of a local congregation, nevertheless wise as a counselor both to the world and the church, having soberness as a safeguard against the levity of the world; always bearing about the consciousness of a slain and risen Redeemer, with the assurance of a realized hope; and ever able to give by precept and example a reason for that hope.
"Is it an arduous undertaking? Most unquestionably it is; but while it is so arduous, there is a possibility that in its very arduousness lies the secret of its success, for in its successful ministry the devils are to be subject to the power of God.
"May the Lord God help the Seventy is the prayer of every well wisher of the latter-day work.
"There is a duty devolving alike upon these two quorums, i. e., the Twelve and the Seventy, that it is well to notice here. We mean the duty of being prayerful men, for by this shall come their power. Now if we could suppose that man could successfully propagate the work of the last dispensation, without the faith requisite to yield obedience to its laws, we could imagine a ministry without purse or scrip, going to the ends of the earth declaring the way of life, without prayer, but as we cannot, it follows that these
(page 438) |
