Priesthood

The priesthood is the power and sengers restored priesthood authority authority of God. Through it, He to the earth through the Prophet accomplishes His work and glory, Joseph Smith. which is “to bring to pass the immor- tality and eternal life of man” (Moses Melchizedek Priesthood 1:39). Jesus Christ permits worthy The Melchizedek Priesthood is the male members of the Church to greater priesthood. Its name comes hold His priesthood. When they are from the name of a great high priest ordained to the priesthood, they can who lived during the time of Abraham be authorized to do the Lord’s work, (see D&C 107:2–5). Brethren who hold such as preach the gospel, perform this priesthood have the power and priesthood ordinances, and minister, authority to hold positions of leader- as called, in the kingdom of God on ship in the Church and to direct the earth. preaching of the gospel. They may “There are, in the church, two priest- preside, as called, over missions, hoods, namely, the Melchizedek and districts, branches, and quorums. Aaronic” (D&C 107:1). Heavenly mes-

4 Before a man can be ordained to an mission or district presidency, as office in the Melchizedek Priesthood, guided by the Spirit, may organize an he must first have the Melchizedek elders quorum in the branch, calling Priesthood conferred upon him. Then and setting apart a quorum president he is ordained to an office in that from among quorum members. As priesthood. These offices are elder, the number of elders in the branch high priest, patriarch, seventy, and increases, the mission presidency may apostle. Mission or district priesthood call and set apart two counselors to leaders organize brethren who hold the elders quorum president. Each the Melchizedek Priesthood into quo- elders quorum may consist of up to rums of elders in the mission or dis- 96 members. The quorum provides trict. A president presides over each example, help, and direction to elders quorum. He teaches quorum fathers and other quorum members. members their duties and encourages The elders quorum president serves brotherhood among quorum mem- under the direction of the district or bers. All brethren in the branch who mission president and is accountable hold the Melchizedek Priesthood are to him. The quorum president works members of the elders quorum. also under the direction of the branch Elder and Elders Quorum Presidency president as a member of the branch priesthood executive committee and Elders are to teach, expound, baptize, as a member of the branch council. and watch over the Church. In addi- The quorum president presides over tion to having the authority and re- quorum members in the branch and sponsibilities of Aaronic Priesthood sets an example for them. He works offices, elders may bestow the gift with the branch president to organize of the Holy Ghost, administer to the and administer home teaching to en- sick, and perform other ordinances sure that the Church remains in active (see “Priesthood Ordinances and contact with all branch members. Blessings” in the Family Guidebook). When authorized by their priesthood The quorum president teaches quo- leaders, elders may preside over rum members the gospel and their Church meetings when no authorized Melchizedek Priesthood duties (see high priest is present. (See D&C D&C 107:89). He encourages them to 20:42–45; 107:11.) serve with joy and humility, especially in their responsibilities as husbands When a branch has worthy men who and fathers. He teaches them how to bear the Melchizedek Priesthood, the perform priesthood ordinances, and

5 plans service projects and activities The quorum president encourages that assist members and build quo- quorum members to participate in rum brotherhood. He is responsible Church meetings and activities and for the spiritual and temporal well- to give service. He helps unordained being of quorum members. men and those over 18 years of age who hold the Aaronic Priesthood The elders quorum president prepare to receive the Melchizedek assigns home teachers who hold Priesthood and temple ordinances. the Melchizedek Priesthood and Home teachers help with these efforts, adults (19 and older) who hold the but often the president needs to Aaronic Priesthood, and with the minister personally to his quorum approval of the branch president, he members. assigns young men as home teachers who are teachers and priests in the High Priest, Patriarch, Seventy, and Aaronic Priesthood. Home teachers Apostle are assigned in companionships of For information about the offices of two during private interviews. As high priest, patriarch, seventy, and approved by the branch president, apostle, see Gospel Principles, chapter the elders quorum president may 14. assign the wife of a man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to accom- Home Teaching pany her husband on visits where a couple is specifically needed. The quorum president teaches quo- rum members the purposes of home teaching (see pages 6–7) and inspires them to fulfill them well. A member of the quorum presidency interviews home teachers regularly to receive an accounting of their visits and to learn of members’ needs. Home teachers are brethren who bear The elders quorum president super- the priesthood and are called to help vises home teaching and keeps the priesthood leaders watch over and branch president informed of home strengthen branch members. Males teaching visits and of member needs who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and concerns learned through home and Aaronic Priesthood, with the teaching visits. exception of deacons, may serve as home teachers. 6 Home teachers are to visit members • Help members to have faith in regularly, showing love for them, Jesus Christ by sharing a message teaching them the gospel, and invit- from the scriptures or from the ing them to come unto Christ. Home living prophets as contained in teachers should encourage fathers to the First Presidency Message, Liahona, pray and take proper care of their or Ensign. families. Home teachers help mem- • Pray with and bless those they visit. bers in times of illness, loss, loneli- ness, unemployment, and at times of • Inform the family of meetings, other special needs. (See D&C 20:51, quorum and branch activities, and 53, 59.) special projects, and help them participate. Home teachers represent the Lord, branch president, and quorum • Report to the elders quorum presi- president as they visit their assigned dent (or to the branch president families. They learn about the inter- if the branch does not have an ests and needs of family members elders quorum) on the progress and show a genuine interest in them. of members. Under the inspiration of the Spirit, • Encourage and help family mem- home teachers seek to teach the bers receive all essential gospel gospel and to develop and strengthen ordinances and keep the associated the faith of the individuals and family covenants. members they visit. If possible, each home teacher should have a • Encourage members to do mission- companion. ary work and family history and temple work. Home teachers: • Stay in active contact with each Ordinances and Blessings assigned member. Priesthood ordinances are sacred acts revealed by the Lord and performed • Recognize the father as the head of by the authority of the priesthood. the family (or the mother or single Priesthood blessings are given for member where no father is in the healing, comfort, and encouragement. home) and help him lead his family Baptizing and blessing and passing members on their journey toward the sacrament are examples of priest- immortality and eternal life. hood ordinances. Some ordinances

7 may be performed by brethren who See the Family Guidebook for instruc- hold the Aaronic Priesthood, but most tion on specific ordinances and ordinances are performed by men blessings. who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood (see “Aaronic Priesthood” in this Aaronic Priesthood guidebook and the Family Guidebook). Branch presidents and elders quorum presidents are to teach the brethren how to perform ordinances. These leaders should help fathers prepare and be worthy to perform ordinances for family members. Brethren who perform ordinances and blessings are to prepare themselves by living ac- cording to gospel principles and striv- The Aaronic Priesthood “is an ing to be guided by the Holy Spirit. appendage to the greater, or the They perform each ordinance and Melchizedek Priesthood” (D&C blessing in a dignified manner. Each 107:14). It is named after Aaron, ordinance should be performed: Moses’ brother, because it was con- 1. In the name of Jesus Christ. ferred on him and his descendants. Brethren who hold the Aaronic 2. By the authority of the priesthood. Priesthood have authority to perform 3. With any necessary procedures, certain priesthood ordinances. Priests such as specified words or conse- may perform baptisms, bless the crated oil. sacrament, and ordain priests, teach- ers, and deacons. Priests and teachers 4. With authorization of the desig- may prepare the sacrament. Priests, nated priesthood leader who holds teachers, and deacons may pass the the proper keys, if necessary. sacrament. (See D&C 107:13–14, 20.) Ordinances that require priesthood leader authorization are naming and When the Aaronic Priesthood is blessing children, performing baptisms conferred on a person, he is ordained and confirmations, conferring the to an office in that priesthood. The priesthood and ordaining to a priest- offices are deacon, teacher, and priest. hood office, blessing and passing the As guided by the Spirit and as num- sacrament, and dedicating graves. bers warrant, the branch president, who is president of the Aaronic

8 Priesthood in the branch, organizes When the branch president organizes brethren who hold the same office Aaronic Priesthood quorums, he calls, into quorums of deacons (ages 12–13), as guided by the Spirit, and sets apart teachers (ages 14–15), and priests a man who holds the Melchizedek (ages 16–18). Priesthood or the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood to serve as The branch president, holding the Young Men president. The Young keys of presidency of the Aaronic Men president works with the branch Priesthood, is president of the Aaronic presidency and Aaronic Priesthood Priesthood in the branch. He is presi- quorum presidencies to help each dent of the priests quorum and may quorum member strengthen his faith call two worthy priests to serve as his in Jesus Christ and increase his under- assistants in the priests quorum. He standing of and commitment to live may call a worthy teacher and a wor- in harmony with the principles of the thy deacon to serve as presidents of restored gospel. the teachers and deacons quorums, respectively. He or an assigned coun- The purposes of the Aaronic selor may call two counselors to the Priesthood are to help each one teachers and deacons quorum presi- ordained to that priesthood: dents to complete the presidencies of • Become converted to the gospel these quorums. When quorums have of Jesus Christ and live by its a sufficient number of young men, a teachings. member of the branch presidency may call a young man in each quorum to • Serve faithfully in priesthood call- ings and fulfill the responsibilities serve as quorum secretary. The branch of each priesthood office. president sets apart his assistants in the priests quorum and the presidents • Give meaningful service. of the teachers and deacons quorums. • Prepare and live worthily to receive A member of the branch presidency the Melchizedek Priesthood and sets apart counselors in quorum temple ordinances. presidencies and secretaries. • Prepare to serve an honorable full- Following the opening exercises of time mission. priesthood meeting, the Aaronic • Obtain as much education as Priesthood meets, under the direction possible and prepare to become of the branch president, separately a worthy husband and father. from those who hold the Melchizedek • Give proper respect to women, Priesthood. girls, and children.

9 The branch president works with A deacons quorum may consist of Aaronic Priesthood quorum presiden- up to 12 deacons (see D&C 107:85). cies to plan quorum meetings, service projects, and activities to help accom- Teacher plish these purposes. Activities are to A worthy young man may be provide a wholesome environment in ordained a teacher when he is at which young men can make friends, least 14 years old. In addition to all provide service, and develop skills of the authority and responsibilities with others who share similar beliefs of deacons, teachers prepare the sacra- and standards. ment and serve as home teachers. Aaronic Priesthood quorum presiden- A teachers quorum may consist of cies and Young Women class presi- up to 24 teachers (see D&C 107:86). dencies, in cooperation with Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women adult Priest leaders, may plan combined Aaronic Worthy brethren may be ordained Priesthood and Young Women activi- priests when they are at least 16 years ties under the supervision of the old. Normally, adult male converts branch president. The combined are ordained priests until they have activities are called Mutual. had sufficient experience to be or- dained elders. Deacon In addition to all of the authority and A worthy young man who has been responsibilities of deacons and teach- baptized and confirmed may be or- ers, priests may baptize and adminis- dained a deacon when he is at least ter the sacrament and may conduct 12 years old. Deacons usually are meetings when no one who holds the assigned to pass the sacrament, care Melchizedek Priesthood is present for Church buildings and grounds, (see D&C 20:46–51). help care for the needy, and complete special assignments, such as gather- A priests quorum may consist of up ing fast offerings. to 48 priests (see D&C 107:87–88).

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