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: | Marion G. Romney | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | September 19, 1897 | ||
| Died: | May 20, 1988 (aged 90) | ||
| Positions: | President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with Howard W. Hunter as Acting President), 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 | ||
| Notes: | Parents were American. One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1941. | ||
 | Name: | Thomas E. McKay | |
| Born: | October 29, 1875 | ||
| Died: | January 15, 1958 (aged 82) | ||
| Positions: | Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – January 15, 1958 | ||
| Notes: | One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | ||
 | Name: | Clifford E. Young | |
| Born: | December 7, 1883 | ||
| Died: | August 21, 1958 (aged 74) | ||
| Positions: | Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Heber J. Grant, April 6, 1941 – August 21, 1958 | ||
| Notes: | One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | ||
 | Name: | Alma Sonne | |
| Born: | March 5, 1884 | ||
| Died: | November 27, 1977 (aged 93) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | ||
 | Name: | Nicholas G. Smith | |
| Born: | June 20, 1881 | ||
| Died: | October 27, 1945 (aged 64) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | One of the first five individuals selected as Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | ||
 | Name: | George Q. Morris | |
| Born: | February 20, 1874 | ||
| Died: | April 23, 1962 (aged 88) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Stayner Richards | |
| Born: | December 20, 1885 | ||
| Died: | May 28, 1953 (aged 67) | ||
| Positions: | Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 6, 1951 – May 28, 1953 | ||
| Notes: | Brother of Stephen L Richards and grandson of Willard Richards. | ||
 | Name: | ElRay L. Christiansen | |
| Born: | July 13, 1897 | ||
| Died: | December 2, 1975 (aged 78) | ||
| Positions: | Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 6, 1951 – December 2, 1975 | ||
| Notes: | Played with the Utah Symphony Orchestra. | ||
| Name: | John Longden | ||
| Born: | 4 November 1898 | ||
| Died: | 30 August 1969 (aged 70) | ||
| Positions: | Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, 6 October 1951 – 30 August 1969 | ||
 | Name: | Hugh B. Brown | |
| Born: | October 24, 1883 | ||
| Died: | December 2, 1975 (aged 92) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Also worked as a professor of religion at Brigham Young University from 1946 to 1949. | ||
| Name: | Sterling W. Sill | ||
| Born: | March 31, 1903 | ||
| Died: | May 25, 1994 (aged 91) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Gordon B. Hinckley | |
| Born: | June 23, 1910 | ||
| Died: | January 27, 2008 (aged 97) | ||
| Positions: | 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, called by Howard W. Hunter, June 5, 1994 – March 3, 1995 First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Ezra Taft Benson, November 10, 1985 – June 5, 1994 Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Spencer W. Kimball, December 2, 1982 – November 5, 1985 Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Spencer W. Kimball, July 23, 1981 – December 2, 1982 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 5, 1961 – July 23, 1981 LDS Church Apostle, called by David O. McKay, October 5, 1961 – January 27, 2008 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, April 6, 1958 – October 5, 1961 | ||
| Notes: | Nephew of Alonzo A. Hinckley. | ||
 | Name: | Henry D. Taylor | |
| Born: | November 22, 1903 | ||
| Died: | February 24, 1987 (aged 83) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | William J. Critchlow Jr. | |
| Born: | August 21, 1892 | ||
| Died: | August 30, 1968 (aged 76) | ||
| Positions: | Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, October 11, 1958 – August 30, 1968 | ||
 | Name: | Alvin R. Dyer | |
| Born: | January 1, 1903 | ||
| Died: | March 6, 1977 (aged 74) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | N. Eldon Tanner | |
| Born: | May 9, 1898 | ||
| Died: | November 27, 1982 (aged 84) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Member (1935–52) of and Speaker (1936–37) of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. | ||
| Name: | Franklin D. Richards | ||
| Born: | November 17, 1900 | ||
| Died: | November 13, 1987 (aged 86) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Grandson of Franklin D. Richards. Was a national commissioner of the United States Federal Housing Administration | ||
| Name: | Theodore M. Burton | ||
| Born: | March 27, 1907 | ||
| Died: | December 22, 1989 (aged 82) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Also worked for the treasury attache at the U.S. embassies in both Vienna and Berlin. | ||
 | Name: | Thorpe B. Isaacson | |
| Born: | September 6, 1898 | ||
| Died: | November 9, 1970 (aged 72) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Boyd K. Packer | |
| Born: | September 10, 1924 | ||
| Died: | July 3, 2015 (aged 90) | ||
| Positions: | 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, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 6, 1970 – July 3, 2015 LDS Church Apostle, called by Joseph Fielding Smith, April 9, 1970 – July 3, 2015 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by David O. McKay, September 30, 1961 – April 6, 1970 | ||
 | Name: | Bernard P. Brockbank, Sr. | |
| Born: | May 9, 1909 | ||
| Died: | October 11, 2000 (aged 91) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | James A. Cullimore | ||
| Born: | January 17, 1906 | ||
| Died: | June 14, 1986 (aged 80) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Marion D. Hanks | |
| Born: | October 21, 1921 | ||
| Died: | August 5, 2011 (aged 89) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and Citizens Advisory Committee on Children and Youth | ||
 | Name: | Marvin J. Ashton | |
| Born: | May 6, 1915 | ||
| Died: | February 25, 1994 (aged 78) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Joseph Anderson | ||
| Born: | November 20, 1889 | ||
| Died: | March 23, 1992 (aged 102) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Was secretary to the First Presidency 1922 – April 6, 1970 | ||
 | Name: | David B. Haight | |
| Born: | September 2, 1906 | ||
| Died: | July 31, 2004 (aged 97) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Longest-lived quorum member, aged 97. | ||
| Name: | William H. Bennett | ||
| Born: | 5 November 1910 | ||
| Died: | 23 July 1980 (aged 69) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | John H. Vandenberg | |
| Born: | November 18, 1904 | ||
| Died: | June 3, 1992 (aged 87) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Robert L. Simpson | |
| Born: | August 8, 1915 | ||
| Died: | April 15, 2003 (aged 87) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | O. Leslie Stone | ||
| Born: | May 28, 1903 | ||
| Died: | April 26, 1986 (aged 82) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | James E. Faust | |
| Born: | July 31, 1920 | ||
| Died: | August 10, 2007 (aged 87) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | L. Tom Perry | |
| Born: | August 5, 1922 | ||
| Died: | May 30, 2015 (aged 92) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | J. Thomas Fyans | ||
| Born: | May 17, 1918 | ||
| Died: | May 18, 2008 (aged 90) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Neal A. Maxwell | |
| Born: | July 6, 1926 | ||
| Died: | July 21, 2004 (aged 78) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Wm. Grant Bangerter | ||
| Born: | June 8, 1918 | ||
| Died: | April 18, 2010 (aged 91) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
| Notes: | Elder brother of former Utah governor Norman H. Bangerter. | ||
| Name: | Robert D. Hales | ||
| Born: | August 24, 1932 | ||
| Died: | October 1, 2017 (aged 85) | ||
| Positions: | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 2, 1994 – October 1, 2017 LDS Church Apostle, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 7, 1994 – October 1, 2017 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: | Adney Y. Komatsu | ||
| Born: | August 2, 1923 | ||
| Died: | February 23, 2011 (aged 87) | ||
| Positions: | 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: | Joseph B. Wirthlin | ||
| Born: | June 11, 1917 | ||
| Died: | December 1, 2008 (aged 91) | ||
| Positions: | 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 | ||
