Traditionally, a Latter Day Saint holding this priesthood office is a "traveling minister"[1] and an "especial witness"[2] of Jesus Christ, charged with the mission of preaching the gospel to the entire world under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.
As introduced by Smith, the apostles and the seventy had authority only outside the main body of Latter-day Saints in Zion, and in the outlying stakes.
As a body, the seventy in the LDS Church are considered to be equal in priesthood authority with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The seventy act as emissaries of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency of the church in organizing, training, proselytizing, and administering to millions of people scattered all across the globe.
Part of the function of the seventy is a missionary role and he or she works closely with the apostle in charge of his or her mission field.
However, on January 17, 2010, Prophet-President Stephen M. Veazey announced that the number of quorums (and presidents) could be flexible, based on the current needs of the church.
[9] The change from seven to ten quorums occurred after the acceptance of Doctrine and Covenants section 164 at the World Conference in April 2010.