Recovery to Mormonism

The Priesthood

What is the priesthood?  In the beliefs of Mormonism, the priesthood is the power and authority of God.  By the Lord’s priesthood power, the heavens and the earth were created and by His priesthood is the universe kept in order. 

The priesthood of God is shared with worthy male members of His Church, which Mormons believe is their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Those who hold the priesthood have the power to act in the name of God, toward the salvation of humanity.  The priesthood also gives those who hold it the authority to administer the ordinances of salvation, such as baptism and the sacrament, preach the gospel, and govern the kingdom of God on earth (which is, of course, not a political kingdom, any more than the original Church of Christ was). 

The priesthood of God has been carried by chosen individuals since the world’s beginning.  The prophets of the Old Testament had this power, as did Christ’s apostles.  Through the priesthood, they obtained the truth and guidance of God.  Those they led, they blessed.  They performed miracles and saving ordinances, again, such as baptism.  The priesthood acts as a special connection between God and man, heaven and earth—between Church and His Church. 

And although humanity was given the priesthood in the beginning, humanity’s also lost the priesthood from time to time.  This loss has come through disobedience, through rejecting the commandments of the Lord.  Humanity has lost the priesthood through falling away from the truth, and, in falling away, they have a lesser understanding of the workings and works of God than they would have had.  This falling away, this loss of truth, is called apostasy in Mormon doctrine.  Mormons often speak of the Great Apostasy—this happened some time after Jesus Christ left His Church under the leadership of His Apostles.  The Apostles eventually died (largely murdered) and many other faithful were killed.  Through time and wickedness, through distance and confusion, through conflicting traditions and doctrines, through a lack of divine authority, the doctrines of Christ’s Church eventually lost their purity.  New churches did not have the Lord’s guidance and the world descended into spiritual blindness and ignorance—this period is still known as the “Dark Ages.”

But every period of apostasy is followed by a restoration—a return of divine teachings and divine authority to Earth.  God chose Joseph Smith to restore the true Church of Christ in our time, and the priesthood was restored through him.  Joseph Smith received the Aaronic Priesthood, sometimes called the lesser priesthood, by the hands of a heavenly messenger—John the Baptist.  This happened in 1829.  Joseph would later receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, the higher, from the hands of Peter, James, and John, Christ’s Apostles.  Christ had given priesthood authority to His Apostles, who gave it to Joseph Smith, who would give it to others.  Thus, in an unbroken chain has the priesthood passed from the Lord Jesus Christ to members of the Mormon Church in this generation. 

Again, there is both the Aaronic and the Melchizedek Priesthood and each has different offices and responsibilities.  The Aaronic priesthood, which worthy young men receive at twelve, is named such for Moses’s brother, Aaron.  Men who hold this priesthood can hold the offices of deacon, teacher, and priest (in order of progression).  The Melchizedek Priesthood, which worthy young men receive at eighteen, represents the fullness, the completeness, of God’s priesthood.  Within its offices are elder, high priest, seventy, Apostle, and Prophet.  Through performing service and priesthood duties for others, men who hold the priesthood find spiritual and personal development. 

What are some priesthood duties?  A duty in the Aaronic priesthood is to bless and pass the sacrament—another duty of the Aaronic priesthood is baptism (which Mormons do by immersion) and another is collecting donations for the needy.  Some duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood are as follows: giving the gift of the Holy Ghost, performing Mormon temple ordinances (such as baptism for the dead and eternal marriage), and many other special acts of responsibility and service.  The Prophet can receive revelations for the entire Church through the priesthood.  A family member who holds the priesthood can lay his hands on other family members and bless them with strength and healing.  The priesthood is divine authority and actions performed by it have weight and power both in heaven and in earth.  And the priesthood is a gift from God which is intended to touch all His children, be they male or female, whether they hold the priesthood or not. 

At one time, men of African descent could be members of the Church, but couldn’t hold the priesthood.  Former Church President Spencer W. Kimball received a revelation in 1978 that all worthy men could serve the priesthood.  This was reported in an official declaration of the Church and was received with great joy.