Apostle was the title Jesus gave to the Twelve whom He chose and ordained to be His closest followers and supporters (1). Apostles are chosen to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ (2). Just as Jesus Christ called and sent His Apostles forth to represent Him, today’s Apostles are given the role to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest leadership body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the First Presidency being the highest).
Jesus Christ calls Apostles to represent Him in our day just as He did in the Bible. They leave behind their regular work lives and devote their life to full-time Church service. They oversee the growth of the global Church, and they travel the world to share God’s love with His children and invite all to come unto Christ, learn, and follow Him.
A quorum is a group of individuals who are given priesthood authority and responsibility to do God’s work. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles includes twelve everyday men with the same divine responsibility as Peter, James, John, and the other early Apostles.
Notes
1. See Luke 6:13; John 15:16
2. See Doctrine and Covenants 107:23