Biography of 12 apostles lds

The Zion’s Camp march of 1834 helped refine those who participated in it, providing them not only with experience that they could apply later in life but also proving to Church leaders which members were willing to “hearken . . . unto the counsel which . . . the Lord their God, shall give unto them” (D&C 103:5; see also Abraham 3:25).[1] Part of the revelation calling for the organization of Zion’s Camp commanded, “Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; . . . and whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple” (D&C 103:27–28). Zion’s Camp thus became an Abrahamic test of worthiness, and when that test was over, the Lord declared, “There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy.” The revelation designated Joseph Smith as the one through whom “the voice of the Spirit” would manifest those who “are chosen” (D&C 105:35–36).

On Sunday, February 8, 1835, the Prophet Joseph Smith invited Brigham Young and his brother Joseph Young to his home in Kirtland and “proceeded to relate a vision to these brethren, of the state and condition of those men who died in Zion’s Camp, in Missouri.” Some persons had worried about those who died on the march, and Joseph’s vision responded to their concern, moving and comforting both him and those who accepted his testimony of it. “Brethren,” he told his visitors tearfully, “I have seen those men who died of the cholera in our camp; and the Lord knows, if I get a mansion as bright as theirs, I ask no more.”[2]

The Prophet wept for some time before turning to Brigham Young and directing, “I wish you to notify all the brethren living in the branches, within a reasonable distance from this place, to meet at a General Conference on Saturday next

New biographies of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have been published on prophets.lds.org, under the section titled “Meet today’s prophets and apostles.”

The first biography to be featured on Prophets and Apostles Speak Today was that of President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. One biography has been added each week since, in order of the Apostles’ seniority, and will continue to be added until the full quorum is represented.

Biographies of the members of the First Presidency—President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor Henry B. Eyring, and Second Counselor Dieter F. Uchtdorf—have been available on the site since October 2011.

“Learning about their childhood, student years, family life, and careers prior to their calls to the apostleship will help us see the hand of the Lord in their lives and will serve as another witness of how He calls and magnifies ordinary men and women to serve in the kingdom,” said Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy, who serves as the Executive Director of the Curriculum Department.

The biographies will include information and stories of each leader’s life, but most of all, they will show how the Lord prepared them to serve. Accompanying photographs—some of which have not been widely published—will highlight their individual ministries, families, and childhood.

Elder Pieper emphasized that these biographies will provide a more personal resource for studying and appreciating the lives of the Brethren and their lifetimes of consecration and service.

“It will be valuable to all who want to know more about living prophets,” he said. “These biographies will help us to feel that prophets and apostles live and speak today and that God continues to raise up chosen servants to lead His Church.”

The biography section will remain a permanent part of prophets.lds.org. As new apostles and prophets are called,