The Priesthood

                The priesthood is the power of God.  Jesus Christ, under the direction of Heavenly Father, used His priesthood power to create the heavens and the earth.  He also uses priesthood power to keep the universe in perfect order.  Heavenly Father loves us so much that He shares His priesthood power with His children on earth.  Those who are ordained to the priesthood have the power and authority to act in the name of God.

                That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness (Doctrine and Covenants 121-36).

                Men must have priesthood power and authority to act in God’s name in order to perform sacred ordinances such as the sacrament and temple marriage.  If men do not have the priesthood, God does not recognize any ordinances performed by them.  The ordinances necessary for exaltation must be performed on the earth by men holding the priesthood.

                Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

                        Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

                        And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

                In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, men must have the priesthood to preside and to direct the work of the Church in all parts of the world.  Christ chose his apostles in ancient days and ordained them in order that they would have the power and authority to lead His church.

                And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would:  and they came unto him.

                        And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him,, and that he might send them forth to preach,

                        And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to case out devils (Mark 3:13-15).

                Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:  that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you  (John 15:16).

                Men also need the priesthood in order to understand the will of God and to carry out His purposes.  He reveals His will to His prophet, His authorized representative on the earth.  The prophet, who is also the president of the Church, serves as God’s spokesman to all members of the Church and to all people on the earth.

                God has ordained that His sons should receive the priesthood in an orderly way.  Any worthy man who is a member of the Church receives the priesthood by “the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (Articles of Faith 1:5).

                This is the same way that men received the priesthood in the days of Moses:  “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4).  Aaron received the priesthood from Moses, who was the prophet and priesthood leader of Aaron (see Exodus 28:1).  Men must first bear the priesthood before they can ordain other men.

                No man can take the priesthood power and authority for themselves, and they cannot buy or sell it.  The priesthood is here upon the earth to bless the lives of God’s children.  It should be used to preside in love and kindness.  It cannot be controlled except in righteousness; in fact, the power will be lost if  it is used unrighteously to gain wealth or fame.

                Priesthood bearers can do many wonderful things for other people.  With the priesthood a man can baptize, confirm, administer the sacrament, bless the sick, give priesthood blessings, and help to perform ordinances when asked, but he cannot do any of these things for himself.       The priesthood must be used correctly - “by persuasion, by longsuffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41).  

                God has promised great blessings to priesthood bearers that use the priesthood to bless the lives of other people.  He promises that “thy confidence [shall] wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews form heaven.  The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46).  

                President David O. McKay made the following promise to every man who uses his priesthood in righteousness. 

                He shall find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never-failing source of happiness – a well of living water springing up unto eternal life (David O. McKay, Instructor , October 1968, p. 378).

Priesthood Counsel

                Some people question the importance of following the counsel given by priesthood leaders.  Priesthood leaders have stewardship over those they are called to lead; therefore, they can receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost in counseling the members of their group.  If we listen to the counsel given by our priesthood leaders and follow it, we will have greater capability to make wise choices and may even be protected from spiritual and physical danger.

                Elder Dallin H. Oaks of theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that we have two lines of communication with our Heavenly Father and how the two lines work together for good.  Those two lines of communication can be called the personal line and the priesthood line.  “All should understand and be guided by both of these essential lines of communication.”

                “In the personal line we pray directly to our Heavenly Father, and He answers us by the channels He has established, without any mortal intermediary.  We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and He answers us through His Holy Spirit and in other ways.  The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son …, to guide us into truth …, and to show us all things we should do ….  This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father.  It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth….

                “The personal line is of paramount importance in personal decisions and in the governance of the family….”

                After explaining about the personal line of communication to our Heavenly Father, Elder Oaks explained why we need the priesthood line of communication.  “Unlike the personal line, in which our Heavenly Father communicates with us directly through the Holy Ghost, the priesthood line of communication has the additional and necessary intermediaries of our Savior, Jesus Christ; His Church; and His appointed leaders….

                “During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ conferred the authority of the priesthood that bears His name and He established a church that also bears His name.  In this last dispensation, His priesthood authority was restored and His Church was reestablished through heavenly ministrations to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  This restored priesthood and this reestablished Church are at the heart of the priesthood line.

                “The priesthood line is the channel by which God has spoken to His children through the scriptures in times past.  And it is this line through which He currently speaks through the teachings and counsel of living prophets and apostles and other inspired leaders.  This is the way we receive the required ordinances.  This is the way we receive calls to service in His Church.  His Church is the way and His priesthood is the power through which we are privileged to participate in those cooperative activities that are essential to accomplishing the Lord’s work.  These include preaching the gospel, building temples and chapels, and helping the poor.  In respect to this priesthood line, our belief and practice is similar to the insistence of some Christians that authoritative ordinances (sacraments) are essential and must be performed by one authorized and empowered by Jesus Christ….  We believe the same but of course differ with other Christians on how we trace that authority.”

                Elder Oaks listed several examples of both the personal line and the priesthood line and then encouraged us to “use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life.  If personal religious practice relies too much on the personal line, individualism erases the importance of divine authority.  If personal religious practice relies too much on the priesthood line, individual growth suffers.  The children of God need both lines to achieve their eternal destiny.  The restored gospel teaches both, and the restored Church provides both.”

                We all have a personal line of communication to our Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers.  If we are quick to listen and follow the promptings He sends to us through the Holy Ghost, He will be quick to help us.  President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s living prophet on earth today, and he “holds the keys that govern the priesthood line.” 

Authority of God

The power and authority to act in the name of God is called priesthood. This is the power that God uses to perform His work, and it is eternal. God used the power and authority of the priesthood to create the earth, the heavens, and the entire universe. This is the power through which He keeps perfect order in the universe.

Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy men on earth. With the power and authority of the priesthood, these men are enabled to act in God's name to bless the human family. With the priesthood, men are authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation and govern God's kingdom on earth.

Priesthood authority is necessary to act in the name of God in performing baptisms, confirmations, and temple marriages and in administering the sacrament. Even though a man may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs if he does not have priesthood authority. Priesthood ordinances must be performed on earth by men holding proper priesthood authority.

Priesthood power and authority are also required for presiding in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to direct the work of the Church. Jesus Christ chose His Apostles and ordained them while He lived on earth. He gave them the power and authority to act in His name and to lead His Church. Priesthood is also needed on the earth so that we can understand God's will and do His work. God reveals His will to His prophets. The current prophet serves as President of the Church and also as God's spokesman for all people in the world.

The order for receiving the priesthood was given in the days of Moses. Hebrew 5:4 says, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Moses was Aaron's priesthood leader and ordained him in the priesthood. In the same way, a worthy male of the Church receives the priesthood "by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof" (Article of Faith 1:5). Men cannot take priesthood authority on themselves nor can they buy and sell this power and authority.

The priesthood is here upon the earth to bless the lives of God's children and should be exercised in love, kindness and righteousness. Righteous priesthood holders who use the priesthood to bless others are promised great blessings.

Every man who righteously exercises the priesthood "will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness - a well of living water springing up unto eternal life" (David O. McKay, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, [2003], 116).

There are two divisions in the priesthood: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood was named for Melchizedek, a great high priest, to avoid using the name of Christ too frequently. The lesser priesthood, known as the Aaronic Priesthood, is an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was conferred on Aaron and his sons throughout all their generations and thus bears his name.

Melchizedek Priesthood holders have the power and authority to lead the Church, direct missionary work worldwide, and administer all the spiritual work of the Church. The President of the Church is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek priesthood. Holders of the Aaronic Priesthood have authority to administer the outward ordinances of baptism and the sacrament.

Church of Jesus Christ Today

Jesus Christ established His only true Church while He lived on earth. He wanted everyone to have the truths of His gospel and to receive the ordinances of it. He organized His Church in order that those truths and the ordinances could be administered with proper authority. It was through this organization that Christ could bring the blessings of salvation to all mankind. After Christ ascended into heaven men started changing the ordinances and doctrines of His gospel. The Apostles were killed, exiled, or otherwise incapacitated, and apostasy took place. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.) Because of the apostasy, there was no direct revelation from God, and the true Church of Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth. Other men organized different Churches and claimed them to be the true Church of Christ, but they taught conflicting doctrines. This brought much confusion and contention over religion. Ancient prophets foretold that the apostasy would take place and that the Lord's Church would be restored in the latter days. Christ told Isaiah, "I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and wonder" (Isaiah 29:14). People lived in spiritual darkness for many years. About 1700 years after the time of Christ, people started to search for truths about God and religion. By careful study of the scriptures, people could see that the gospel of Christ was no longer on earth. Some realized that there was no revelation or true authority on earth. The time had arrived for the Church of Jesus Christ to be restored to earth. One of the most important events in the history of the world happened in the spring of 1820 because it was time for the marvelous work and wonder spoken of by Isaiah to take place. Joseph Smith was searching for the true Church of Jesus Christ and went into the woods near his home to pray. With humility and real intent to know the truth, he asked Heavenly Father which church he should join. In answer to his humble prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared personally to Joseph Smith. The Savior told Joseph that he should join none of the churches because the true church was not on the earth. He also said that the creeds of the various churches presently on earth were "an abomination in his sight" (Joseph Smith-History 1:19; see also verses 7-18, 20). After this visit from the Father and the Son, there was direct revelation from heaven once more. The Lord chose a new prophet and the heavens opened again. Joseph was chosen to help restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and each of the chosen prophets continue to receive revelation to this day. As part of the restoration of the gospel, God gave the priesthood to men once again. John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829. (See Doctrine and Covenants 13; 27:8.) Later Peter, James, and John, who composed the office of the presidency of the Church in ancient times, came to Joseph and Oliver and gave them the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom of God. (See Doctrine and Covenants 27:12-13.) Additional keys of the priesthood were restored later by other heavenly messengers such as Moses, Elias, and Elijah. (See Doctrine and Covenants 110:11-16.) The priesthood was returned to earth. Men who hold this priesthood today hold the authority to perform ordinances of the gospel such as baptism as well as to direct the Lord's work on earth. Under the direction of the Savior, His Church was organized on earth again on April 6, 1830. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20:1.) His Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See Doctrine and Covenants 115:4.) Jesus Christ stands at the head of His Church today just as He did in ancient days. Jesus Christ Himself has said that this Church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30). Joseph Smith was sustained as prophet and "first elder" when the Church was first organized. He was sustained as President when the First Presidency was organized. The framework of the Church was set up when it was first organized. As the Church grew, the organization of the Church continued to develop. The Church was organized after the pattern of the ancient church. It has the same offices in the priesthood as were in the ancient church, including apostles, prophets, seventies, evangelists (patriarchs), pastors (presiding officers), high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons. Acting under the direction of the Lord, a prophet leads the Church. He is also the President of the Church and holds all the necessary authority to direct the Lord's work on earth. (See Doctrine and Covenants 107:65, 91.) Two counselors assist the President. The Twelve Apostles are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ who teach the gospel and regulate the affairs of the Church all over the world. Other general officers of the Church have special assignments, such as the Quorums of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and the Twelve. Because the Church is much larger than in the days of Christ, He has revealed additional units of Church organization. Wherever the Church is fully organized in an area, the local divisions are called stakes. Each stake is presided over by a stake president and two counselors. They are assisted by twelve high counselors. Priesthood quorums are organized under the direction of the stake president. Each stake is divided into wards. Each ward is presided over by a bishop and two counselors. Districts and branches, similar to stakes and wards, are organized in developing areas of the Church. The Church today teaches the same principles and performs the same ordinances as were performed in the time of Christ. The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (See Article of Faith 1:4.) Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, which contains the plain and precious truths of the gospel, through the gift and power of God. He received other revelations, which are recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Some of those important truths include the following: 1) Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real beings with tangible, perfected bodies of flesh and bones. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. 2) We existed as spiritual children of God in a premortal life. 3) The priesthood is necessary to administer the ordinances of the gospel. 4) We will be punished for our own sins and not for Adam's transgression. 5) Children do not need baptism until they are accountable and are at least eight years old. 6) There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens. People will be rewarded according to the desires of their hearts and according to their actions. 7) Through the sealing power of the priesthood, family relationships can be eternal. 8) Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead. The Church of Jesus Christ will never be taken from the earth again. Its mission is to take the truth to every person on earth. There are now members of the Church in almost every nation on earth.

Priesthood

Priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. He uses His power to perform His work. The earth, the heavens and the entire universe and beyond were created through the power of the priesthood, and they are kept in perfect order by the same power. Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy men on earth. With the power and authority of the priesthood, these men are enabled to act in God's name to bless the human family. With the priesthood, men are authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation and govern God's kingdom on earth. Priesthood authority is necessary to act in the name of God in performing baptisms, confirmations, and temple marriages and in administering the sacrament. Even though a man may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs if he does not have priesthood authority. Priesthood ordinances must be performed on earth by men holding proper priesthood authority. Priesthood power and authority are also required for presiding in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to direct the work of the Church. Jesus Christ chose His Apostles and ordained them while He lived on earth. He gave them the power and authority to act in His name and to lead His Church. Priesthood is also needed on the earth so that we can understand God's will and do His work. God reveals His will to His prophets. The current prophet serves as President of the Church and also as God's spokesman for all people in the world. The order for receiving the priesthood was given in the days of Moses. Hebrew 5:4 says, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Moses was Aaron's priesthood leader and ordained him in the priesthood. In the same way, a worthy male of the Church receives the priesthood "by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof" (Article of Faith 1:5). Men cannot take priesthood authority on themselves nor can they buy and sell this power and authority. The priesthood is here upon the earth to bless the lives of God's children and should be exercised in love, kindness and righteousness. Righteous priesthood holders who use the priesthood to bless others are promised great blessings. Every man who righteously exercises the priesthood "will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness - a well of living water springing up unto eternal life" (David O. McKay, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, [2003], 116). There are two divisions in the priesthood: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood was named for Melchizedek, a great high priest, to avoid using the name of Christ too frequently. The lesser priesthood, known as the Aaronic Priesthood, is an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was conferred on Aaron and his sons throughout all their generations and thus bears his name. Melchizedek Priesthood holders have the power and authority to lead the Church, direct missionary work worldwide, and administer all the spiritual work of the Church. The President of the Church is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek priesthood. Holders of the Aaronic Priesthood have authority to administer the outward ordinances of baptism and the sacrament.