an apostle is one who is ordained to the office of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Ordinarily those so ordained are also set apart as members of the Council of the Twelve and are given all of the keys of the kingdom of God on earth. This apostleship carries the responsibility of proclaiming the gospel in all the world and also of administering the affairs of the Church. Christ "chose twelve, whom also he named apostles" (), and upon their shoulders the burden of the kingdom rested after he ascended to his Father (.) The original Twelve in latter-days were selected by revelation by the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon (.)