Apostle (Latter Day Saints)

Apostle (Latter Day Saints)
Name	Apostle (Latter Day Saints)
Occupation	Ecclesiastical office
Known for	Senior leadership in Latter Day Saint movement

Apostle (Latter Day Saints) is an ecclesiastical office in the Latter Day Saint movement historically modeled on the Twelve Apostles of early Christianity and adapted in movements such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Community of Christ, and other Restorationist bodies. The office traces its conceptual lineage to New Testament figures like Peter, James (son of Zebedee), John the Apostle, and institutional precedents in 19th‑century movements led by Joseph Smith and contemporaries in the United States such as Brigham Young and Sidney Rigdon. Apostles serve as principal witnesses, administrative leaders, and missionary organizers, with varying authority and succession practices across denominations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Community of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite), and Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

History and biblical origins

Early modern claims to apostleship in the Restoration movement invoked scriptural models from the New Testament and the missionary commission associated with Great Commission narratives and figures such as Paul the Apostle, Barnabas, and Timothy. In the 1820s and 1830s, leaders including Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer referenced precedents like Jerusalem Council episodes and the Twelve in Gospel of Matthew and Acts of the Apostles to justify re‑establishing an apostolic college. Events such as the founding of the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) and subsequent schisms involving Brigham Young, James Strang, and Sidney Rigdon produced competing apostolic claims tied to legal disputes, migration to the Salt Lake Valley, and polities in places like Nauvoo, Illinois.

Role and responsibilities

Apostles perform functions analogous to roles occupied by figures in New Testament polity: doctrinal stewardship, missionary direction, administrative governance, and sacramental oversight. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, apostles are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church) and partake in policymaking with the First Presidency. In Community of Christ, apostles belong to the Council of Twelve Apostles (Community of Christ) and focus on mission strategies, ministry support, and regional oversight across continents like Africa, Europe, and South America. Apostles historically issued revelatory statements, participated in councils addressing controversies such as plural marriage and property disputes in Kirtland, and engaged with civic institutions including interactions with officials in Washington, D.C. and legal arenas like state courts during the 19th century.

Selection and ordination

Selection methods vary: early Restoration practice involved claims of divine calling confirmed by prophetic figures such as Joseph Smith, often accompanied by revelations in venues like the Kirtland Temple and Nauvoo Temple. In modern The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, succession to the Quorum follows established protocols where seniority, determined by date of ordination, informs choices for the First Presidency and leadership vacancies. Community of Christ employs a nominating and approval process involving bodies like the World Conference (Community of Christ) and the Council of Twelve Apostles (Community of Christ), with ordination performed by existing apostles and presidents using rites derived from early Latter Day Saint practice and historic ordination patterns described in documents such as the Doctrine and Covenants.

Apostleship in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, apostles form a centralized leadership structure including the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), the First Presidency, and associated auxiliary coordination with organizations like the Relief Society, Young Men, and Sunday School. Apostles have global administrative duties, preside over temples such as the Salt Lake Temple, oversee missionary work coordinated by Missionary Department (LDS Church), and issue doctrinal teaching through official channels including General Conference (LDS Church). Succession procedures and public roles have intersected with national politics in moments involving figures like Mitt Romney and public commentary relating to civic issues, while controversies such as handling of historical documents and transparency have engaged scholars at institutions like Brigham Young University.

Apostles in other Latter Day Saint denominations

Other bodies maintain distinct apostolic models. Community of Christ emphasizes relational mission and collegial apostolic councils with roles adapted to denominational polity, while the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) and Strangite movements assert continuity through separate lines of apostolic succession linked to leaders like Alpheus Cutler and James Strang. Fundamentalist groups such as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have claimed apostolic authority within their hierarchies, often tied to practices including plural marriage rejected by the mainstream church. These variations have prompted legal and theological disputes in courts and communities from Utah to Missouri.

Organization and succession

Organizationally, apostolic bodies form quorums, councils, and presidencies with canonical procedures influenced by documents like the Articles of Faith and revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Succession customs—seniority versus special appointment—have produced contested transitions after deaths of leaders such as the succession crisis following Joseph Smith's death and later appointments in Brigham Young's administration. Modern governance integrates administrative offices, committees, and international field assignments, coordinating with temples, missions, and educational institutions including Brigham Young University and humanitarian efforts such as LDS Philanthropies.

Notable apostles and controversies

Notable apostles include early figures like Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Orson Pratt and modern leaders such as Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and Russell M. Nelson. Controversies have involved succession crises after Joseph Smith's death, debates over polygamy, racial policies such as the priesthood restriction, historical transparency disputes involving archives and scholars like D. Michael Quinn, and disciplinary actions leading to excommunications that involved apostolic councils. Legal conflicts over property and inheritance have arisen in schisms tied to groups like the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) and Strangite claimants, and academic scrutiny continues through studies at institutions including Harvard Divinity School, Yale Divinity School, and University of Utah.

Category:Latter Day Saint movement