Priesthood

Priesthood: “ The Power of Godliness”

The priesthood is an eternal power, meaning, it has always and will always be. It is the power and authority of God, who is an eternal being.

It was by this power that God created and governs the heavens and the earth. It is by this power that He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass the ‘immortality and eternal life of man.’ ( Moses 1:39)

God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth.

The first of God’s children to receive the priesthood here on this earth was Adam. Using the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis and a revelation to the Prophet as sources ( D&C84:1-17), William W. Phelps wrote, “Adam was the first member of the church of Christ on earth, and the first High Priest after the Order of the Son of God. Adam was ordained unto the High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God, to preach repentance unto his seed, and teach them the things of the kingdom. From this time till Enoch, from Enoch till Noah, and from Noah till Melchizedek, and Abraham, and from Abraham till Moses, the Order of the High Priesthood, on earth, continued.”

The higher priesthood was taken away from the children of Israel because of disobedience, when Moses was removed from their midst. After the time of Moses, individual prophets were given the holy priesthood at various times by God, but it was restricted from the general populace.

The Book of Mormon reports that Nephite prophets held the priesthood called after the order of the Son of God, the Melchizedek Priesthood (Alma 13:10). Those who had the authority directed the work of God among the people (Alma 29:13

Jesus Christ and his apostles also held the Melchizidek priesthood while on the earth. After Christ’s death, the apostles continued to ordain worthy individuals to the priesthood. However, Over time, both the principles and the priesthood authority and keys were lost through apostasy.

Then, on the 15 May 1829, after inquiring of the Lord regarding the authority to baptize, John the Baptist appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to restore the Aaronic Priesthood.

Aaronic Priesthood: 15 May 1829 (D&C 13)
the priesthood authority by which John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ.
It holds "the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins"
The Aaronic Priesthood is "an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood" (D&C 107:14). It is often called the preparatory priesthood. As a priesthood holder serves in the Aaronic Priesthood, he prepares to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, to receive the blessings of the temple, to serve a full-time mission, to be a loving husband and father, and to continue in lifelong service to the Lord.



Melchizedek Priesthood: May or June 1829 (D&C 128:20)
All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood....
"The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things....
"The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—
"To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant."

Apostles, elders, priests, teachers, and deacons: April 1830 (D&C 20:38–60)
· This revelation was given just prior to the organization of the church. At that organizational meeting, Joseph ordained Oliver to the office of an elder, Oliver did the same for Joseph.

Bishop: 4 February 1831 (D&C 41:9–10)
· Joseph received a revelation that Edward Partridge was to be the first Bishop of the church. He was made responsible for operating a storehouse to assist the poor and for administering property transactions connected with the law of consecration.
· In December 1831, Newel K. Whitney was called to be a bishop.
Bishop Partridge and Bishop Whitney served as regional or traveling bishops. Bishop Partridge was responsible for the Saints in Missouri and Bishop Whitney the Saints in Ohio and the eastern states.
In November 1831, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that the bishop was to be the president of the Aaronic Priesthood and preside over a quorum of 48 priests (see D&C 107).
It was not until 1841 in Nauvoo that the office of ward bishops began with Newel K. Whitney and George Miller each presiding over a ward. That number grew to thirteen wards by 1842. "Their main tasks were to process tithes and to assist newcomers and aid the poor, which they accomplished with donated fast offerings. Bishops also carried a major responsibility for dealing with ward members in cases of wrongdoing. However, bishops rarely conducted Sunday worship meetings; such services were held outdoors on a citywide or stake basis or in individual homes. Nauvoo bishops collectively organized and directed the work of deacons, teachers, and priests quorums in the city." (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p119)
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High priests: June 1831 (heading to D&C 52)
In a conference held in June 1831, the first ordinations to the office of high priest were made.
Twenty-three men were ordained as high priests at this conference, including Joseph Smith.

First Presidency: 1832–33 (D&C 81; 90)
Jesse Gause and Sidney Rigdon were called to be counselors to Joseph Smith. Gause only served until December 1832. He was excommunicated for being unfaithful. Frederick G. Williams was ordained to replace Gause in March 1833.
Additional information on this quorum was revealed to the Prophet in 1835: "Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body [Quorum of the Twelve], appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church" (D&C 107:22).
"The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church." (D&C 107:9)
After the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, the First Presidency was not reorganized until 1847. The Quorum of the Twelve presided over the Church during this period. In 1847, the First Presidency was reorganized with Brigham Young as president. After the death of Brigham Young and his successor, John Taylor, the First Presidency remained unorganized for up to three years.
When Wilford Woodruff became the president, he instructed Lorenzo Snow (president of the Quorum of the Twelve) that it was the will of the Lord to have the First Presidency reorganized shortly after the death of the President.
Lorenzo Snow followed this counsel and the First Presidency was reorganized eleven days after the death of President Woodruff. That pattern has been followed ever since.

Patriarch: 18 December 1833 (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith [1976], 38–39)
On December 18, 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith, Sr., was ordained the first Patriarch to the Church.
Additional information was revealed on this important office in 1835 (see D&C 107:39-56).
After Joseph Sr.'s death, Hyrum, was ordained to this office since he was the oldest son. Hyrum served until his martyrdom in 1844.
From the time of Joseph Sr. until 1979 the Church patriarch was in the Smith hereditary line, except for a ten year period from 1932 to 1942, when acting patriarchs were called.
In 1979, the position of Church patriarch was retired due to the number of stake patriarchs available throughout the world.

High council: 17 February 1834 (D&C 102)
On February 17, 1834, the first High Council of the Church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio. D&C 102 contains the minutes of that meeting. This first high council included the First Presidency and had jurisdiction over the whole Church.
Later that year a separate high council was organized in Missouri. Appeals went from the Missouri high council to the presiding high council in Kirtland.
Following the organization in 1835 of the "traveling high council," the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, stake high councils concerned themselves only with stake matters

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: 1835 (D&C 107:23–24)
· In Section 18, given in 1829, the Three Witnesses were appointed the duty of selecting the first apostles. The time had come for this to be done. They called the Twelve in the following order (see Essentials in Church History, p152):

Lyman E. Johnson.
Brigham Young.
Heber C. Kimball.
Orson Hyde.
David W. Patten.
Luke S. Johnson.
William E. McLellin.
John F. Boynton.
Orson Pratt.
William Smith.
Thomas B. Marsh.
Parley P. Pratt.
· These twelve men were ordained apostles by the Three Witnesses and given the keys pertaining to their holy calling. The First Presidency also laid their hands on them and confirmed these blessings and ordinations.
The majority of the Twelve were chosen from among those who were part of Zion's Camp.
This first Quorum of the Twelve had been selected and ordained. Seniority in the original quorum was organized by age. Thomas B. Marsh, being the oldest, 35, was made President of the Quorum. Since the original organization of the quorum, seniority has been determined by the date of appointment to the Twelve.
Seventies: 1835 (D&C 107:25)
In February 1835, when Brigham and Joseph Young visited the Prophet, Joseph Young was told: "Brother Joseph, the Lord has made you President of the Seventies."
On February 28, Seventies were selected from among the participants in Zion's Camp.

First Quorum of the Seventy: 1835 (D&C 107:26, 93–97)
The first quorum's of Seventy were organized during this period.
During the Nauvoo period, the number of Seventies expanded.
The sixty-three members of the First Quorum, not members of the presidency, were made the presidencies of the next nine quorums.
The first seven presidents of the First Quorum were made General Authorities and designated First Council of Seventy.
By the time of the exodus from Nauvoo, there were 35 quorums of Seventy.


In our day the Lord continues to give revelations about the organization and responsibilities of the priesthood to guide the growth of the Church. One example of this is the calling of Area Authority Seventies and the accompanying organization of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy in 1997

In the church today, worthy young men are eligible to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood at age 12. They are taught the responsibilities, privileges and authority they have, if they live worthy of that Priesthood, every Sunday in their Priesthood quorums. This education is a gradual process, that if taken full advantage of, will give young men the power they need to thwart Satan’s advances during an age in which He strongly concentrates His efforts.

When a man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, he does so by oath and covenant. Why is it necessary? Because of its sacred nature and authority possessing binding and sealing powers into the eternities. Those who receive it must, like God, abide in it, for they share and enjoy with Him the right of His authority and power; therefore, they must not permit themselves to be moved out of the right way nor to fail.

This oath and covenant is found in D&C 84:33-44

Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Seventy said: “Of all the holy agreements pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ, few, if any, would transcend in importance the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is certainly one of the most sacred agreements, for it involves the sharing of heavenly powers and man’s upward reaching toward eternal goals” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 56; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 43).

D&C 84:33-44
33 For whoso is afaithful unto the obtaining these two bpriesthoods of which I have spoken, and the cmagnifying their calling, are dsanctified by the Spirit unto the erenewing of their bodies.
34 They become the asons of Moses and of Aaron and the bseed of cAbraham, and the church and kingdom, and the delect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood areceive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants areceiveth me;
37 And he that areceiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s akingdom; therefore ball that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the aoath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
40 Therefore, all those who receive the apriesthood, receive this boath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this acovenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall bnot have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels acharge concerning you.
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give adiligent bheed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall alive by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

What do priesthood holders promise as part of the oath and covenant of the priesthood?

a. Be faithful in obtaining the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood
· Faithfulness denotes obedience to the laws of God and connotes true observance of ALL gospel standards- not just ones that are convenient, or the ones that we like, or the easy ones, but ALL gospel standards. To wield the power of God, one must live as God lives.

b. Magnify their callings (verse 33).
· to magnify is to honor, to exalt and glorify, and cause to be held in greater esteem or respect. It also means to increase the importance of, to enlarge and make greater. To magnify his calling, a priesthood holder must be willing to sacrifice and consecrate all for the building of God’s kingdom in righteousness, truth and power in the earth.
( Delbert Stapley CR, April 1957 pp.76-77)
· As we magnify our callings, it is important that we find the correct balance so we do not neglect our families. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve said:
“Sometimes, unintentionally, even certain extracurricular Church activities, insensitively administered, can hamper family life. Instructively, after the resurrected Jesus taught the Nephites, He said, ‘Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said,’ and pray and prepare ‘for the morrow’ (3 Nephi 17:3). Jesus did not say go to your civic clubs, town meetings, or even stake centers!” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 120; or Ensign, May 1994, 89).

c. Receive the Lord’s servants (verse 36).
· Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord will reveal his secrets unto his servants, the prophets.
· As we read the words of prophets past in the holy scriptures, and listen to the words of living prophets with a spirit of humility, the spirit testifies of their truth. When we receive the words of the prophets, we receive the words of the Lord himself.


d. Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life (verses 43–44).
In Moroni 7:19, Mormon describes two steps along the path of life that, if taken, will transform a person into a spiritually begotten son or daughter of Christ. The first is to “search diligently in the light of Christ” so that good may be distinguished from evil. The second is to “lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not.” Earlier in the chapter, Mormon notes that every woman and man receives the Light of Christ as a gift to differentiate right from wrong. A more common name for this light is conscience, a discerning power by which individuals know good from evil (see Moro. 7:15–17).

Mormon’s first step of searching diligently describes the quest for truth, for the good. His second step, to “lay hold upon every good thing,” means to live every good truth once it is found. In both the searching and the living, diligence is required In the Lord’s plan, diligent effort involves both the heart and the mind. Diligently seeking truth and living gospel principles with all one’s mind and heart open the door for the Holy Spirit to transform us. We put off the natural man or woman because of the truths we value. With a humble heart, we yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,” partake of the Atonement, and become “the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters” as we are spiritually reborn (Merrill J. Bateman, “Becoming a Disciple of Christ,” Ensign, Apr 2006, 16–23)
Among the adversary’s pawns was Hitler, whose evil designs wreaked havoc on the entire world. Winston Churchill attempted to warn fellow Brittishers about this madman. But Churchill was initially labeled a warmonger. While England slept, Hitler amassed a huge army and began to put his diabolical scheme in motion. The young Gordon B. Hinckley was serving a mission in England at the time and heard Churchill’s speeches of warning. Upon his release and before returning home, Elder Hinckley toured the European continent. Throughout Germany he watched spit and polished Nazi troops goose step through the streets. He noticed a dramatic difference in other countries where troups were undisciplined in demeaner and dress. He later reflected, “ Hitler had clearly identified his object and he knew what he was doing. The rest of Europe was asleep. I sensed I had a front row seat on the bleachers of history.” Brothers and sisters, WE have a front row seat on the bleachers of an era where Satan is moving about largely uncontrolled and unchecked. As brutal as Hitler was, our opponent is far more threatening. For what we have to lose is our happiness and peace of mind here and in the world to come. Satan knows exactly what he is doing. Do we? Are we sleeping or are we diligently laying hold upon every good thing in order to create places of security where we may protect ourselves from his advances.?


What does the Lord promise?

a. Sanctify us by the Spirit (verse 33).
To be sanctified means to become pure, holy, clean
Speaking of certain priesthood brethren in ancient times, Alma said:

“Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

“Now, they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:11–12).




b. Renew our bodies (verse 33).
A perfect example of this is the remarkable energy and physical stamina of aged prophets. Who among us, when listening to Pres. Hinckley address the church, well into his 90s did not stand in awe of his abilities?

c. Give us the blessings promised to Abraham and his posterity (verse 34).
Among the promises made to Abraham were:
a. His posterity would be numerous (see Genesis 17:5–6; Abraham 2:9; 3:14).
b. His seed, or descendants, would receive the gospel and bear the priesthood (see Abraham 2:9).
c. Through the ministry of his seed, "all the families of the earth [would] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal" (Abraham 2:11).

d. Make us His elect, or chosen (verse 34).
The elect are those that hear His voice and harden not their hearts, do not aspire to the honors of men and do not set their hearts upon the things of this world.

e. Give us all that the Father has (verse 38).
· What is it that the Father has? Kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers, dominions, and exaltations.
f. Give His angels charge over us (verse 42).
· George Q. Cannon, “Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are children of God and that He has actually given His angels … charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.” (Gospel Truths, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, 1:2.)



The blessings of the priesthood are not solely for men. The Lord’s plan assures that all the Lord has is available to ALL who qualify. It is only by joining together as man and woman that the highest of priesthood blessings become available to both.


Sherri Dew
“We know little about the reasons specific assignments were given to men and women. Because of this the adversary seeks to create confusion about something that need not be confusing. What we do know is that the Lord has declared His will on the matter. And for reasons known only to Him, our assignment as sisters do not require that we be ordained to the priesthood, though the assignments of worthy men do require ordination. This difference between the stewardship of the sons and daughters of God need not concern us. We should feel secure about the manner in which the Lord administers His kingdom.” ( Famous Last Words, BYU Women’s Conference, 30 April 1999)




Boyd K. Packer

Men and women have complementary, not competing, responsibilities. There is difference but not inequity. Intelligence and talent favor both of them. But in the woman’s part, she is not just equal to man; she is superior! She can do that which he can never do; not in all eternity can he do it. There are complementing rewards which are hers and hers alone.

And blessings bestowed impartially upon man and woman alike include:

—Baptism;

—The gift of the Holy Ghost;

—The testimony of Jesus;

—Personal revelation;

—The ministry of angels;

—The responsibility to teach, to testify, to exhort, to edify and to comfort;

—The faith to be healed;

—And many other spiritual gifts.

All under a uniform standard for worthiness.

And the highest ordinances in the House of the Lord they receive together and equally or not at all!

It should not disturb either men or women that some responsibilities are bestowed upon one and not the other. Duties of the priesthood are delegated to men and are patriarchal, which means “of the father.” From the very beginning this has been so. The scriptures plainly state that they were “confirmed to be handed down from father to son. … This order was instituted in the days of Adam.” (D&C 107:40–41.)

It was not meant that the woman alone accommodate herself to the priesthood duties of her husband or her sons. She is of course to sustain and support and encourage them.

Holders of the priesthood, in turn, must accommodate themselves to the needs and responsibilities of the wife and mother. Her physical and emotional and intellectual and cultural well-being and her spiritual development must stand first among his priesthood duties.

There is no task, however menial, connected with the care of babies, the nurturing of children, or with the maintenance of the home that is not his equal obligation. The tasks which come with parenthood, which many consider to be below other tasks, are simply above them.

Sister Packer and I have seven sons and three daughters. And that, I have often been heard to say, is about equal value. They, in turn, have given us daughters- and sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

They are not my children and my grandchildren. They are our children and grandchildren. They all share in the blessings of the priesthood.

I could not possibly express the depth and the intensity of love and gratitude that I feel toward my wife, the mother of our children.

Without her, I could not have the highest and most enduring blessings of this “priesthood … after the holiest order of God” (D&C 84:18), this “Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (D&C 107:3). For, “in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.” (D&C 131:104.) Boyd K. Packer, “A Tribute to Women,” Ensign, Jul 1989, 72

Sherri Dew
“ Within the priesthood is the power to separate and safeguard us from the world, the power to subdue the adversary and surmount obstacles. The power to comfort, bless and heal. The power to enlarge our capacity and enable us to hear the voice of the Lord. The power to strengthen marriages and families and bind us together . The power to triumph over mortality and come unto Him. These blessings may be received by every seeking, worthy son or daughter of God.”

Together, we can receive the privileges and unspeakable blessings associated with the gift of priesthood power. For it is through this power that we are shown the path to eternal life.