The Church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).
President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, told the Church News: "With the passing of Elders David B. Haight and Neal A. Maxwell and the calling of Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is once again a full quorum. For those called, this is a lifelong association and a unique brotherhood.
"The Quorum of the Twelve works under the direction of the First Presidency to build up the Church and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:38). By scriptural instruction, the Quorum of the Twelve gives direction to the Seventy of the Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:34).
"At the present time, a major focus of the Twelve is on missionary work and the recent introduction of the 'Preach My Gospel' emphasis announced to all missionaries worldwide.
"The Twelve Apostles meet every Tuesday morning as a quorum. They also meet every Thursday in the Salt Lake Temple. Following their quorum meeting, they meet with the First Presidency to attend to matters that come before them. Here the Brethren consider the weighty matters of the kingdom of God upon the earth, for its management is upon their shoulders.
"The Twelve Apostles move about the world and as a quorum become familiar with the affairs of the Church on every continent and in every country. They are assigned from time to time to stake and regional conferences in person or via satellite. They also meet with international Area Presidencies by satellite conferences. They serve in all of these duties as special witnesses and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ."
The callings of Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar were announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on Oct. 2, during the opening session of the 174th Semiannual General Conference of the Church. Elder Uchtdorf is the 93rd apostle called in this dispensation; Elder Bednar the 94th. It had been 9 1/2 years since an apostle had been called, that being Elder Henry B. Eyring, who was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve on April 1, 1995.
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are:
President Packer, 80; called as an Assistant to the Twelve Sept. 30, 1961; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 6, 1970; ordained an apostle April 9, 1970, at age 45; set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve June 5, 1994, and again March 12, 1995.
Elder L. Tom Perry, 82; sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve, Oct. 6, 1972; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve on April 6, 1974, ordained an apostle April 11, 1974, at age 51.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, 80; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 7, 1984; ordained an apostle April 12, 1984, at age 59.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, 72, sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 7, 1984; ordained an apostle May 3, 1984, at age 51.
Elder M. Russell Ballard, 76, sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 3, 1976; called to the Presidency of the Seventy Feb. 21, 1980; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 6, 1985, and ordained an apostle Oct. 10, 1985, at age 57.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, 87, sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve April 4, 1975; to the First Quorum of the Seventy Oct. 1, 1976; called to the Presidency of the Seventy Aug. 28, 1986; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 4, 1986, and ordained an apostle Oct. 9, 1986, at age 69.
Elder Richard G. Scott, 75, sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 2, 1977, to the Presidency of the Seventy Oct. 1, 1983; to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 1, 1988; ordained an apostle Oct. 6, 1988, at age 59.
Elder Robert D. Hales, 72, sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve April 4, 1975, and to the First Quorum of the Seventy Oct. 1, 1976; sustained as Presiding Bishop April 6, 1985; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 2, 1994; and ordained an apostle April 7, 1994, at age 61.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, 63, sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 1, 1989, while serving as president of Brigham Young University; ordained an apostle June 23, 1994, at age 53; and sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve, Oct. 1, 1994.
Elder Henry B. Eyring, 71, sustained as first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric April 6, 1985; sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy Oct. 3, 1992; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 1, 1995; and ordained an apostle April 6, 1995, at age 61.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy April 2, 1994; sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 6, 1996; called to the Presidency of the Seventy Aug. 15, 2002, and sustained Oct. 5 of that year; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 2, 2004; and ordained an apostle Oct. 7, 2004, at age 63.
Elder David A. Bednar, president of Brigham Young University-Idaho, was an Area Authority Seventy when he was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 2, 2004; he was ordained an apostle Oct. 7, 2004, at age 52.
