Apostle.

One of twelve members in the second-highest governing body of the LDS Church and considered to be a General Authority. The most senior member is the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who is next in line to become the church’s President. The twelve apostles are also known as the Traveling Presiding High Council and officiate under the direction of the First Presidency in all parts of the world. According to tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith, “The Twelve Apostles have been sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators ever since the time of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. There is only one man at a time who holds the keys of revelation for the Church. The Twelve Apostles may receive revelation to guide them in their labors and to assist them in setting in order the priesthood and organizations of the Church” (Doctrines of Salvation 3:156-157). In Christianity, an apostle usually refers to one of a number of specific disciples of Christ, named in the New Testament, who were called and commissioned by Him with special authority to be the foundation of the Christian church (Ephesians 2:20). The inspired teachings of the apostles are recognized as authoritative in the Church and are the Christian rule of faith and life.

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