3.

Priesthood Principles

3.0

Introduction

The priesthood is the authority and power of God. Through the priesthood, Heavenly Father accomplishes His work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). God grants authority and power to His sons and daughters on earth to help carry out this work (see chapter 1).

3.2

Blessings of the Priesthood

Through covenants and priesthood ordinances, God makes great blessings available to all His children. These blessings include:

• Baptism and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• The gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Partaking of the sacrament.

• Authority and power to serve in Church callings and assignments.

• Receiving patriarchal blessings and other priesthood blessings of healing, comfort, and guidance.

• Being endowed with God’s power in the temple.

• Being sealed to one’s family members for eternity.

• The promise of eternal life.

3.3

Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood

In the Church, the priesthood has two parts: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:1).

3.3.1

Melchizedek Priesthood

The Melchizedek Priesthood is “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:3). It is the power by which the sons and daughters of God can become like Him (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–21; 132:19–20).

Through this authority, Church leaders direct and administer all the spiritual work of the Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:18).

The stake president is the presiding high priest in the stake (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:8, 10; see also chapter 6 in this handbook). The bishop is the presiding high priest in the ward (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:17; see also chapter 7 in this handbook).

For information about the offices and responsibilities of the Melchizedek Priesthood, see 8.1.

3.3.2

Aaronic Priesthood

The Aaronic Priesthood is “an appendage to … the Melchizedek Priesthood” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:14). It includes the keys of:

• The ministering of angels.

• The gospel of repentance.

• Administering in outward ordinances, including baptism for the remission of sins.

(See Doctrine and Covenants 13:1; 84:26–27; 107:20.)

The bishop is the president of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:15).

For information about the offices and responsibilities of the Aaronic Priesthood, see 10.1.3.

3.4

Priesthood Authority

Priesthood authority is the authorization to represent God and act in His name. In the Church, all priesthood authority is exercised under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys.

3.4.1

Priesthood Keys

Priesthood keys are the authority to direct the use of the priesthood on behalf of God’s children.

3.4.1.1

Those Who Hold Priesthood Keys

The Lord has conferred on each of His Apostles all the keys that pertain to the kingdom of God on earth. The senior living Apostle, the President of the Church, is the only person on earth authorized to exercise all of those priesthood keys (see Doctrine and Covenants 81:1–2; 107:64–67, 91–92; 132:7).

Under the direction of the President of the Church, the following priesthood leaders are given keys so they can preside in their areas of responsibility:

• Stake and district presidents.

• Bishops and branch presidents.

• Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidents.

• Temple presidents.

• Mission presidents and missionary training center presidents.

These leaders receive priesthood keys when they are set apart to their callings.

Priesthood keys are not given to others, including counselors to local priesthood leaders or presidents of Church organizations. Presidents of Church organizations preside under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys (see 4.2.4).

3.4.1.2

Order to the Lord’s Work

Priesthood keys ensure that the Lord’s work of salvation and exaltation is accomplished in an orderly manner (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:11; 132:8). Those who hold priesthood keys direct the Lord’s work within their areas of responsibility. This presiding authority is valid only for the specific responsibilities of the leader’s calling. When priesthood leaders are released from their callings, they no longer hold these keys.

3.4.2

Priesthood Conferral and Ordination

Under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys, the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood are conferred on worthy male Church members (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:14–17). After the appropriate priesthood is conferred, the person is ordained to an office in that priesthood, such as deacon or elder. A priesthood holder exercises the priesthood according to the rights and duties of that office (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:99).

For more information about priesthood conferral and ordination, see 8.1.1 and 18.10.

3.4.3

Delegation of Priesthood Authority to Serve in the Church

3.4.3.1

Setting Apart

When Church members are set apart under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys, they are given authority from God to act in that calling. For example:

• A woman who is called and set apart by the bishop as ward Relief Society president is given authority to direct the work of Relief Society in the ward.

All who are called and set apart serve under the direction of those who preside over them (see 3.4.1.2).

When they are released from a calling, they no longer have the authority associated with it.

3.4.3.2

Assignment

Presiding Church leaders can delegate authority by assignment. When men and women receive these assignments, they are given authority from God to act. For example:

• The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delegate authority to Seventies who are assigned to administer areas and to preside at stake conferences.

• Authority is delegated to Church members to serve as ministering brothers and ministering sisters.

Authority that is delegated by assignment is limited to the specific responsibilities and duration of the assignment.

3.4.4

Exercising Priesthood Authority Righteously

This authority can be used only in righteousness (see Doctrine and Covenants 121:36). It is exercised by persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love, and kindness (see Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–42).

Those who exercise priesthood authority do not force their will on others. They do not use it for selfish purposes.

3.5

Priesthood Power

Priesthood power is God’s power, which He uses to bless His children. God’s priesthood power flows to all members of the Church—female and male—as they keep the covenants they have made with Him. Members make these covenants as they receive priesthood ordinances. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–20.)

The blessings of priesthood power that members can receive include:

• Guidance for their lives.

• Revelation to know how to fulfill the work they are ordained, set apart, or assigned to do.

• Help and strength to become more like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

3.5.1

Covenants

A covenant is a sacred promise between God and His children. God gives the conditions for the covenant, and His children agree to obey those conditions. God promises to bless His children as they fulfill the covenant.

All who endure to the end in keeping their covenants will receive eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:17–20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).

Parents, Church leaders, and others help individuals prepare to make covenants as they receive the ordinances of the gospel. They ensure that the person understands the covenants he or she will make. After a person makes a covenant, they help him or her keep it. (See Mosiah 18:8–11, 23–26.)

3.5.2

Ordinances

An ordinance is a sacred act performed by the authority of the priesthood.

In many ordinances, individuals make covenants with God. Examples include baptism, the sacrament, the endowment, and the marriage sealing ordinance.

Ordinances of salvation and exaltation are essential for eternal life. For more information, see 18.1.

3.6

The Priesthood and the Home

All Church members who keep their covenants—women, men, and children—are blessed with God’s priesthood power in their homes to strengthen themselves and their families (see 3.5). This power will assist members in doing God’s work of salvation and exaltation in their personal lives and families (see 2.2).

Men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood can give priesthood blessings to family members to provide direction, healing, and comfort. When needed, Church members can also seek these blessings from extended family members, ministering brothers, or local Church leaders.