Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, commonly shortened to Assistant to the Twelve or Assistant to the Twelve Apostles, was a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1941 and 1976. As the title of the calling suggests, men who held this position assisted the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in fulfilling their priesthood responsibilities. Assistants to the Twelve were general authorities, and were generally assigned by the Twelve Apostles to preside over and speak at stake conferences; re-organize stakes; tour missions; and assist in the direction of worldwide missionary work. Like counselors in the First Presidency, Assistant to the Twelve was not a distinct priesthood office—rather, it was a calling that any worthy high priest could be asked to fill.

In April 1941, church president Heber J. Grant called five men to serve as Assistants to the Twelve.^[1] No more Assistants to the Twelve were called until 1951;^[2] the church continued to call Assistants to the Twelve throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and the first half of the 1970s.

Of the 38 men who held the calling of Assistant to the Twelve, thirteen later became members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Marion G. Romney, George Q. Morris, Hugh B. Brown, Gordon B. Hinckley, N. Eldon Tanner, Boyd K. Packer, Marvin J. Ashton, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, James E. Faust, Neal A. Maxwell, Robert D. Hales, and Joseph B. Wirthlin. Additionally, a former Assistant to the Twelve (Alvin R. Dyer) was ordained to the office of apostle without being made a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Seven Assistants to the Twelve (Romney, Brown, Dyer, Isaacson, Hinckley, Tanner, and Faust) later served in the church's First Presidency, with one (Hinckley) later becoming the church's president.

In 1976, church president Spencer W. Kimball announced that the calling of Assistant to the Twelve would be discontinued, and that the 22 men then serving in that calling would be ordained to the priesthood office of seventy and assigned to the First Quorum of the Seventy, which had been organized in 1975.^[3]

The following individuals held the calling of Assistant to Twelve:^[4]

	Name: Born: Died: Positions:             Notes:	Marion G. Romney September 19, 1897 May 20, 1988 (aged 90) President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, November 10, 1985 – May 20, 1988 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, November 5, 1985 – May 20, 1988 First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Spencer W. Kimball, December 2, 1982 – November 5, 1985 Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Harold B. Lee, July 7, 1972 – December 2, 1982 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 4, 1951 – July 7, 1972 LDS Church Apostle, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1951 – May 20, 1988 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – October 4, 1951 Parents were American. One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1941.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions: Notes:	Thomas E. McKay October 29, 1875 January 15, 1958 (aged 82) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – January 15, 1958 One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions: Notes:	Clifford E. Young December 7, 1883 August 21, 1958 (aged 74) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – August 21, 1958 One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:   Notes:	Alma Sonne March 5, 1884 November 27, 1977 (aged 93) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – October 1, 1976 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – November 27, 1977 One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:   Notes:	Nicholas G. Smith June 20, 1881 October 27, 1945 (aged 64) Acting Presiding Patriarch (de facto)[5], called by Heber J. Grant, February 4, 1932 – 1934 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – October 27, 1945 One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	George Q. Morris February 20, 1874 April 23, 1962 (aged 88) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 8, 1954 – April 23, 1962 LDS Church Apostle, called by David O. McKay, April 8, 1954 – April 23, 1962 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 6, 1951 – April 8, 1954
	Name: Born: Died: Positions: Notes:	Stayner Richards December 20, 1885 May 28, 1953 (aged 67) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 6, 1951 – May 28, 1953 Brother of Stephen L Richards and grandson of Willard Richards.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions: Notes:	ElRay L. Christiansen July 13, 1897 December 2, 1975 (aged 78) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 6, 1951 – December 2, 1975 Played with the Utah Symphony Orchestra.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	John Longden 4 November 1898 30 August 1969 (aged 70) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, 6 October 1951 – 30 August 1969
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:             Notes:	Hugh B. Brown October 24, 1883 December 2, 1975 (aged 92) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, January 18, 1970 – December 2, 1975 First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, October 4, 1963 – January 18, 1970 Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, October 12, 1961 – October 4, 1963 Third Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, June 22, 1961 – October 12, 1961 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 10, 1958 – June 22, 1961 Apostle, called by David O. McKay, April 10, 1958 – December 2, 1975 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 4, 1953 – April 10, 1958 Also worked as a professor of religion at Brigham Young University from 1946 to 1949.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Sterling W. Sill March 31, 1903 May 25, 1994 (aged 91) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, December 31, 1978 – May 25, 1994 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – December 31, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1954 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:                 Notes:	Gordon B. Hinckley June 23, 1910 January 27, 2008 (aged 97) 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 12, 1995 – January 27, 2008 President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with Boyd K. Packer as Acting President), June 5, 1994 – March 12, 1995 First Counselor in the First Presidency, June 5, 1994 – March 3, 1995 First Counselor in the First Presidency, November 10, 1985 – June 5, 1994 Second Counselor in the First Presidency, December 2, 1982 – November 5, 1985 Counselor in the First Presidency, July 23, 1981 – December 2, 1982 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 5, 1961 – July 23, 1981 Apostle, October 5, 1961 – January 27, 2008 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 6, 1958 – October 5, 1961 Nephew of Alonzo A. Hinckley.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Henry D. Taylor November 22, 1903 February 24, 1987 (aged 83) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, September 30, 1978 – February 24, 1987 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1958 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	William J. Critchlow, Jr. August 21, 1892 August 30, 1968 (aged 76) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1958 – August 30, 1968
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Alvin R. Dyer January 1, 1903 March 6, 1977 (aged 74) First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – March 6, 1977 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, January 18, 1970 – October 1, 1976 Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1968 – January 18, 1970 LDS Church Apostle, called by David O. McKay, October 5, 1967 – March 6, 1977 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1958 – October 5, 1967
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:             Notes:	Nathan Eldon Tanner May 9, 1898 November 27, 1982 (aged 84) First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Spencer W. Kimball, December 30, 1973 – November 27, 1982 First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Harold B. Lee, July 7, 1972 – December 26, 1973 Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, January 23, 1970 – July 2, 1972 Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, October 4, 1963 – January 18, 1970 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1962 – October 4, 1963 LDS Church Apostle, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1962 – November 27, 1982 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 8, 1960 – October 11, 1962 Member (1935–52) of and Speaker (1936–37) of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:     Notes:	Franklin D. Richards November 17, 1900 November 13, 1987 (aged 86) First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – November 13, 1987 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 1, 1983 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 8, 1960 – October 1, 1976 Grandson of Franklin D. Richards. Was a national commissioner of the United States Federal Housing Administration
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:     Notes:	Theodore M. Burton March 27, 1907 December 22, 1989 (aged 82) Emeritus General Authority, called by Ezra Taft Benson, September 30, 1989 – December 22, 1989 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1989 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 8, 1960 – October 1, 1976 Also worked for the treasury attache at the U.S. embassies in both Vienna and Berlin.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Thorpe B. Isaacson September 6, 1898 November 9, 1970 (aged 72) Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, January 23, 1970 – November 9, 1970 Counselor in the First Presidency, called by David O. McKay, October 28, 1965 – January 18, 1970 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, September 30, 1961 – October 28, 1965 First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by Joseph L. Wirthlin, April 6, 1952 – September 30, 1961 Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by LeGrand Richards, December 12, 1946 – April 6, 1952
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Boyd K. Packer September 10, 1924 July 3, 2015 (aged 90) President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, February 3, 2008 – July 3, 2015 Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, June 5, 1994 – January 27, 2008 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 6, 1970 – July 3, 2015 Apostle, April 9, 1970 – July 3, 2015 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, September 30, 1961 – April 6, 1970
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Bernard P. Brockbank, Sr. May 9, 1909 October 11, 2000 (aged 91) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 4, 1980 – October 11, 2000 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 4, 1980 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 6, 1962 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	James A. Cullimore January 17, 1906 June 14, 1986 (aged 80) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, September 30, 1978 – June 14, 1986 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1966 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:           Notes:	Marion D. Hanks October 21, 1921 August 5, 2011 (aged 89) Emeritus General Authority, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 3, 1992 – August 5, 2011 Presidency of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 6, 1984 – August 15, 1992 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – April 5, 1980 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 3, 1992 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1968 – October 1, 1976 First Council of the Seventy, called by David O. McKay, October 4, 1953 – April 6, 1968 Member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and Citizens Advisory Committee on Children and Youth
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Marvin J. Ashton May 6, 1915 February 25, 1994 (aged 78) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, December 2, 1971 – February 25, 1994 LDS Church Apostle, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, December 2, 1971 – February 25, 1994 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 3, 1969 – December 2, 1971
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:     Notes:	Joseph Anderson November 20, 1889 March 23, 1992 (aged 102) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, December 31, 1978 – March 13, 1992 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – December 31, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 6, 1970 – October 1, 1976 Was secretary to the First Presidency 1922 – April 6, 1970
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:     Notes:	David B. Haight September 2, 1906 July 31, 2004 (aged 97) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, January 8, 1976 – July 31, 2004 LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, January 8, 1976 – July 31, 2004 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 6, 1970 – January 8, 1976 Longest-lived quorum member, aged 97.
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	William H. Bennett 5 November 1910 23 July 1980 (aged 69) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, December 31, 1978 – July 23, 1980 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – December 31, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 6, 1970 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	John H. Vandenberg November 18, 1904 June 3, 1992 (aged 87) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, September 30, 1978 – June 3, 1992 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 6, 1972 – October 1, 1976 Presiding Bishop, called by David O. McKay, September 30, 1961 – April 6, 1972
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Robert L. Simpson August 8, 1915 April 15, 2003 (aged 87) Emeritus General Authority, called by Ezra Taft Benson, September 30, 1989 – April 15, 2003 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1989 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 6, 1972 – October 1, 1976 First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by John H. Vandenburg, September 30, 1961 – April 6, 1972
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	O. Leslie Stone May 28, 1903 April 26, 1986 (aged 82) Emeritus General Authority, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 4, 1980 – April 26, 1986 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 4, 1980 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Harold B. Lee, October 6, 1972 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	James E. Faust July 31, 1920 August 10, 2007 (aged 87) Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, March 12, 1995 – August 10, 2007 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, September 30, 1978 – March 12, 1995 LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1978 – August 10, 2007 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1978 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1978 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Harold B. Lee, October 6, 1972 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	L. Tom Perry August 5, 1922 May 30, 2015 (aged 92) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 6, 1974 – May 30, 2015 Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 11, 1974 – May 30, 2015 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Harold B. Lee, October 6, 1972 – April 6, 1974
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	J. Thomas Fyans May 17, 1918 May 18, 2008 (aged 90) Emeritus General Authority, called by Ezra Taft Benson, September 30, 1989 – May 18, 2008 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1989 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 6, 1985 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 6, 1974 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Neal A. Maxwell July 6, 1926 July 21, 2004 (aged 78) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, July 23, 1981 – July 21, 2004 LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, July 23, 1981 – July 21, 2004 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – July 23, 1981 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – July 23, 1981 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 6, 1974 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:         Notes:	Wm. Grant Bangerter June 8, 1918 April 18, 2010 (aged 91) Emeritus General Authority, September 30, 1989 – April 18, 2010 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, February 17, 1985 – September 30, 1989 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, September 30, 1978 – April 5, 1980 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1989 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 4, 1975 – October 1, 1976 Elder brother of former Utah governor Norman H. Bangerter.
	Name: Born: Positions:	Robert D. Hales August 24, 1932 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 2, 1994 LDS Church Apostle, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 7, 1994 Presiding Bishop, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 6, 1985 – April 2, 1994 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – April 6, 1985 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 4, 1975 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Adney Y. Komatsu August 2, 1923 February 23, 2011 (aged 87) Emeritus General Authority, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 2, 1993 – February 23, 2011 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 2, 1993 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 4, 1975 – October 1, 1976
	Name: Born: Died: Positions:	Joseph B. Wirthlin June 11, 1917 December 1, 2008 (aged 91) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 4, 1986 – December 1, 2008 LDS Church Apostle, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 9, 1986 – December 1, 2008 Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, August 28, 1986 – October 4, 1986 First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Spencer W. Kimball, October 1, 1976 – October 4, 1986 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 4, 1975 – October 1, 1976

See also

• Regional representative of the Twelve

References

1. J. Reuben Clark, Conference Report, April 1941.
2. David O. McKay, Conference Report, October 1951.
3. Spencer W. Kimball, “The Reconstitution of the First Quorum of the Seventy”, Ensign, November 1976, p. 9.
4. Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Assistants to the Twelve.
5. Ludlow, Daniel H., ed. (1992). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. New York: Macmillan Publishing. pp. "Presiding Patriarch". ISBN 978-0-02-879602-4.