The Missionaries Will Teach...
Priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God.
The priesthood authority is needed to perform the ordinances that God
requires for salvation. It is also used to give blessings that heal,
comfort, or give counsel.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is literally lead by
Jesus Christ himself through prophets and apostles. Prophets and
apostles are righteous men that God chose for these leadership roles. In his
mortal ministry, God called apostles to lead the church, but the authority
was lost when people rejected the gospel and killed them.
In 1829 John the Baptist (the man who baptized Jesus), visited Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph
and Oliver and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. A short
time later, Peter, James, and John (Jesus' apostles) visited Joseph and
Oliver and laid their hands upon the heads of Joseph and Oliver and
conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood. Peter, James, and John
received the Melchizedek priesthood directly from Jesus Christ.
The only way a man can receive the priesthood authority is by the laying
on of hands by another man who has the authority. Receiving the
priesthood is a marvelous blessing and responsibility. When a man
receives the priesthood, he enters into sacred covenants to serve others and
help build up the church. This includes performing sacred ordinances
such as baptism. Righteousness, love, and patience are needed to use
the priesthood power, and when it is used worthily, the power of God is
manifest.
Priesthood power comes from God. There are two levels of priesthood
authority: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood. The
Aaronic priesthood is used to perform ordinances such as baptism and
confirmation, and worthy males 12 years of age and older receive it soon
after they are baptized.
Eventually, worthy adult males receive the higher priesthood, also known
as the Melchizedek Priesthood. Many temporal and spiritual blessings
are given to all members of the Church through the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Worthy holders of the Melchizedek priesthood can confirm other people
members of the Church and give them the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The
power of the Melchizedek Priesthood is used to heal the sick with
consecrated olive oil, and it can also be used to receive heavenly guidance
and give special blessings to family members. Bishops and Stake
Presidents use the priesthood authority to act as judges in the Church and
can revoke and restore the blessings of being a member. They also
conduct interviews with people to verify that they are worthy to enter into
the temple.
Underneath the direction of the priesthood, their are other organizations
that help strengthen the membership of the Church and have regular meetings
and classes. These include the Relief Society for women 18 and over,
which reaches out to serve indidviduals, families, and the community.
There are also a Young Women program and a Young Men program for youth 12 to
18, as well as the Primary organization for children three to 11.
There is also a Sunday School organization for all members 12 and over.
Offsite Links...
The Lineage Lesson.
A story about the Church's former teachings regarding the Church's former
racist teachings.
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