"And now, behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery, and also unto David Whitmer, that you shall search out the Twelve, who shall have the desires of which I have spoken; and by their desires and their works you shall know them." —Joseph Smith1
In 1830, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were given the title of apostles.2 In June 1829, a revelation (now found in Doctrine and Covenants 18)3 commanded Cowdery and David Whitmer to select twelve apostles, similar to those chosen by Jesus Christ in the New Testament.4 On February 14, 1835, the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon selected twelve men, fulfilling the earlier revelation. These men were ordained as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with responsibilities including overseeing congregations outside the stakes and acting as special witnesses of Christ's name.5
The first members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were Lyman Johnson, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton, Orson Pratt, William Smith, Thomas B. Marsh, and Parley P. Pratt.6
