Hey y’all! My name is Joseph. I’m a simple family guy from Virginia who’s trying to navigate this crazy world while my wife and I raise three daughters.
Being a father and husband are two of the greatest callings in my life. Between the endless coloring pages and mountains of fruit snacks, the Lord found it fit for me to have another calling in life.
I’m a minuteman.
No. I’m not talking about chasing redcoats through the swamps with Benjamin Martin in a tricorne hat.
Let me explain.
In August of 2025, my wife and I were rebaptized in the Humansville, Missouri Temple, and the Father did what He does best–a line drive right out of left field.
Brother Joseph, I ordain you as a Seventy
When the words came out of my friend’s mouth, my palms instantly clammed and my heart tried its hardest to escape my chest.
Coming from a mainstream LDS background, when I thought of that calling, I pictured an investment banker living in a beach house who wears expensive suits and randomly pops up during Stake Conferences.
Those who know me can attest that I am the furthest from an investment banker. The administrative guru side of me lacks greatly too. Plus, we’re independent fundamentalists. What stake conferences am I going to slip into?
I knew in that moment that my framing of my calling was wrong.
I needed to study out what the Lord needed me to do.
Prior to the Restoration, the calling of a Seventy was relatively unknown. The first mention of them is in Exodus 24.
Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel; And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet, as it were, a paved work of a sapphire stone and, as it were, the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand; also they saw God and did eat and drink.
Exodus 24:9-11
Sometime later, Moses felt overwhelmed by the burden placed upon him, so the Lord stepped in.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there; and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it thyself alone…and the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders; and it came to pass that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied and did not cease.
Numbers 11:16-17, 24-25
Jesus even appointed seventy as well to go out two by two without purse or scrip to proclaim the kingdom is near.
After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place where he himself would come. And he said unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers few; pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among the wolves.
Luke 10:1-3
These seventy elders called by God were vital to Moses’ leadership. They stood in God’s presence, had the Spirit poured out upon them, and became prophets. In Christ’s ministry, the seventy were vital to preparing the people of the coming kingdom.
After that…silence.
During the Restoration, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph that the calling of Seventy is the highest and loftiest calling ever given to mortal man; to be a Seventy is an apostleship or special witness of Christ. 1
What does this look like in practice?
On March 30th, 1836, prior to the foot washing ordinance in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph laid this out plainly: Seventies are called to preach the Gospel, build others up, put people in place of what has been built, and he keeps moving on after that.2 The revelations in Doctrine and Covenants clarify the stark difference between an Elder and a Seventy. Elders stay in place; Seventies are traveling elders sent to bear record of Christ’s name in all the world and prepare the way before the Lord.3
In this modern age, the Gaddianton robbers continue their secret combinations at a higher rate than ever. Every day hearts fail, wars rage on, lives are taken, unrighteousness consumes cities, political divides widen. How can this cycle of destruction reverse?
The answer does not lie within the educated or the theologian. The wise men of this lone and dreary world spout foolishness and the theologians wouldn’t know the gifts or power of God if they saw it. That’s why the calling of Seventy is so vital. They aren’t the wise, nor are they the theologians. They are the ambassadors of heaven who are the true servants of God. They bring testimony, light, and knowledge from God to man that can bring forth righteous cities, exalted nations, and even a peaceful world.4
With this knowledge, it’s humbling. I’m just a simple guy with a family who tries his hardest to make it through each day; it gives me motivation to be better with each passing day.
Seventies who bear this responsibility should be seen as peculiar–not only by the world itself, but even within our own religious communities. Jackson Ted Jessop, an inspired man within my priesthood line of authority who was ordained by Joe Thompson, laid it out plainly.
…every man that holds the Priesthood has to conduct himself a little bit different. He can’t be the same as others in the world; he can’t even be the same as others in the Church…because God has honored us with the Priesthood…the Priesthood is God’s in the fact that it is the power of God…which created the earth and the universe.
The Writings and Teachings of Jackson Ted Jessop, p.16
This calling can be a peculiar and lonely road. There may be times when one must cut ties with friends and family, but the reward is worth more than whatever this probationary state has to offer.
I have been praying and studying so much on how to be the best Seventy I can be. Through all the resources I have found, Ogden Kraut gave some implied points that I’ve labeled as “Tips for the Apostleship.”
- Search diligently for the honest in heart. Get near them in the spirit of this ministry: converse with them in their homes when they’re ready to receive you.
- Don’t be contentious or disputatious. Preserve your honor, virtue, and integrity.
- Converse with the Lord often. Bear your testimony of the good news in this latter-day dispensation.
- Seek ways to do good for others.
- Serve the Lord with a glad heart and cheerful countenance with a tempered zeal.5
To be an ambassador of heaven, we must open our hearts to live within God’s will. We have to allow Him to guide us where the light is needed most. In this lone and dreary world, we can be beacons of hope that can bring heaven to earth.
Alma captured the heart of these tips perfectly.
And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.
Alma 42:31
Now how does being a Seventy relate to being a minuteman?
We’re ordained as a Seventy, not set apart to it. At a moment’s notice, the Lord could call me to a mission, and it will be my responsibility to “go thy way.”
I’m Joseph.
I’m a husband and father.
I’m a traveling elder.
A minuteman.
Traveling Elder 
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