Record Melchizedek Priesthood Ordinations

Policy and Principles

“The stake president holds the priesthood keys for conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordaining to the offices of elder and high priest. However, the bishop usually provides recommendations for these ordinations” (General Handbook 18.10.1). With the approval of the stake presidency, the bishop interviews the member as instructed on the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record. Before doing so, he carefully reviews the person’s membership record to verify that it does not include an annotation or a comment about an ordinance restriction or unresolved Church discipline.

After the bishop interviews the member, the stake president or one of his counselors conducts a thorough, searching interview as instructed on the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record. He makes sure the member understands the oath and covenant of the priesthood and agrees to live by it (see D&C 84:33–44).

If the member is found worthy, the stake presidency member who conducted the interview signs the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record, and the high council is asked to sustain the decision to ordain the person. A member of the stake presidency then presents the person for a sustaining vote in the general session of stake conference or in a stake general priesthood meeting (see D&C 20:65, 67).

“The stake president or a Melchizedek Priesthood holder under his direction may ordain a man to the office of elder. Only Melchizedek Priesthood holders may stand in the circle.

“The stake president or a high priest under his direction may ordain a man to the office of high priest, or he may authorize another high priest to do so. Only high priests may stand in the circle” (General Handbook, 18.10.4).

After a Melchizedek Priesthood ordination, the stake clerk ensures that the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record is complete, and he records the ordination. The stake clerk also prepares the ordination certificate. The stake president signs the certificate, and he or the clerk gives it to the member.

Procedures

Ward Procedures

1. Click the Ordinances link under the Membership tab, or click here to go to the Ordinances page in LCR.
2. Select Priesthood Ordination from the drop-down menu, enter the name of the member to be ordained, and print the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record.
3. After the bishop interviews the person and signs the form, the ward clerk enters the interview date in LCR, checks the box verifying that the bishop has found the person worthy, and clicks the Submit to Stake button. An email will be sent to the stake president, stake executive secretary, and stake clerk to inform them of the recommendation. It is not necessary to send the paper copy of the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record to the stake.

Stake Procedures

1. Click the Ordinances link under the Membership tab, or click here to go to the Ordinances page in LCR.
2. Find the member being recommended under the Pending Melchizedek Priesthood Ordinations list, click the Action button, and print the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record.
3. After the ordination has been performed, click the Action button, select Record Ordination, follow the steps given, and save the record.
4. Click the View Certificate button to view and print the certificate.

Note: Because Melchizedek Priesthood ordinations are the responsibility of the stake, they must be recorded by the stake clerk. Ward clerks do not have access to record Melchizedek Priesthood ordinations in LCR.