15. Organization of Quorums of Seventies.--In the same month--February, 1835--the first quorum of seventies was organized by the Prophet Joseph and his two counselors and others. Shortly afterwards the second quorum was also organized. These quorums, as would be inferred from their being called seventies' quorums, consist of seventy men. Seven presidents preside over each quorum, and the first seven presidents--the presidents of the first quorum--preside over all the quorums of seventy in the church. 16. About a month after the organization of these quorums--28th of March, 1835--a revelation was given,[94] in which the duties of the apostles and seventies are made clear, as well as the duties of other officers.[95] We have now, however, reached a point in the historical development of the church of Christ where we can consider it as a system of ecclesiastical government; and to that consideration the next section is devoted. {338} NOTES 1. Character of the Old Settlers in Jackson County.--Speaking of his arrival in Independence and meeting with Oliver Cowdery and other brethren there, the Prophet Joseph says: "It seemed good and pleasant for brethren to meet together in unity. But our reflections were great, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society in the East, and standing now upon the confines and western limits of the United States, and looking into the vast wilderness of those that sat in darkness; how natural it was to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity and jealousy of a people that were nearly a century behind the time and to feel for those who roamed about without the benefit of civilization, refinement or religion; yea, and to exclaim in the language of the prophets, 'when will the wilderness blossom as a rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?'"--Missouri Persecutions--Roberts. 2. Persecution in Jackson County.--The month of November, 1833, was big with important events for the members of the Church in Jackson County. That month witnessed the expulsion of twelve hundred American citizens from their homes which they had purchased from the general government. The events of that month branded the sovereign state of Missouri with an infamy that will cling to her as long as the name is remembered on earth or in heaven; and when her officials of that period shall stand before the bar of God, gouts of blood will be found on their ministerial vestments--it will be the stain, too, of innocent blood! * * * Early in the spring the mob burned the houses belonging to the Saints. According to the testimony of Lyman Wight (_Times and Seasons_ for 1843, p. 264), two hundred and three dwelling houses and one grist mill were so destroyed.--Missouri Persecutions--Roberts.