a council of twelve

Some hold that the office and calling of the Twelve ended with the death of the Apostles first ordained by our Lord. Theologians tell us that, “The office of the Apostles as described in the New Testament, was, from its nature, incapable of being transmitted, and has not in fact been perpetuated.” They say that, “There is no command given in the New Testament to keep up the succession of Apostles,” and when it is pointed out that Matthias was selected to fill the vacancy caused by the apostacy of Judas, and that Paul was called to the Apostleship by our Lord Himself, while Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, and Apollos may, for all we know, have been members of the Apostles’ Council, it is argued, in reply, that there is no record of the appointment of any of these to the Apostleship, except Matthias. The fact remains, however, that Hod have to the Church both Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ, and that they were to continue, till we all come in the unity of the faith (Eph. 4:11-13).

The calling of the Twelve neither began nor ended with the organization of which Peter, James, and John were prominent members. A Council of Twelve was appointed by Moses, in obedience to a divine command, shortly after the Exodus (Numb. 1:1-16). This Council consisted of one representative of each tribe of Israel, and they had, to a very large extent, the responsibility of leadership among the people. They are called “Princes* of Israel,” and when the Tabernacle was dedicated, they brought the offerings of the people before the Lord (Numb. 7:1-83; Joshua 3:12; 4:2-9).

*”Prince,” from PRINCEPS, one who takes the first place, a leader.


Doctrine and Covenants Commentary by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl. Deseret Book. 1965. p.87