Priesthood Service: An Overview

What is the priesthood and how do its members receive their authority?

About a month or so back, my first article for Associated Content (AC) discussed the LDS ("Mormon") Church and what we believe. I would like to follow it up - as I said I would - with this article which explains priesthood service and why it's important in the lives of LDS members. Perhaps the best way to start this article off is to give you a working definition of the priesthood: 1) the priesthood is the authority given by our Heavenly Father to man authorizing him (man) to officiate in all matters pertaining to the salvation of mankind upon the earth.; and 2) the priesthood is the power by which God works through man. To sum it up in the nut shell the priesthood is the authority to administer in the ordinances according to the pattern which the Lord has revealed.

As to how we receive our authority, ultimately it can be traced back to our Saviour and the finisher of our faith - Jesus Christ. He passed it to Peter, James and John who passed it to Joseph Smith (thereby restoring the Priesthood to the Earth) who passed it down to Brigham Young (the second President of the church) and so forth until it was passed on to present day priesthood holders.

What are the duties of the priesthood?

The duties of the priesthood are dependent on which priesthood is held. . .for me it is the Aaronic - or lesser priesthood - so I will explain my duties as a Priest. I can:

Teach -

This is perhaps one of the most important duty of a priesthood holder. Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 20:46 instructs me - and other priesthood holders - to "preach, teach, expound and exhort" which can be giving a talk during Sacrament meeting, teaching a class or talking to 'investigators' (prospective members) about the LDS Church.

Baptize -

The LDS Church looks on baptism by immersion as one of the most important and sacred ordinances of the Church. It is a priest's sacred duty to administer this ordinance when he is so authorized by those over him.

Administration of the Sacrament -

Administration of the Sacrament is almost solely the responsibility of an Aaronic Priest. Duties for this ordinance include offering the sacramental prayers - for both the bread and the water - and passing of the sacrament to the congregation.

Visiting members -

Also known as Home Teaching, D&C 20:47 instructs us a priesthood holders to "visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties." During these visits priests - or other priesthood holders - can find out the needs of family members as well as praying with them and teaching them the principles of the Gospel.

Ordaining others -

D&C 20:48 gives us as priesthood holders the authority to ordain others into the Priesthood. Specifically as an Aaronic priesthood holder I can ordain others priests, teachers and deacons. There is one caveat, however, and that is that I can only ordain others after having received authority from someone such as a Bishop or Elder who holds the keys to the priesthood.

Serving as a Missionary -

Due to my age4 - I am 44 - I am ineligible to serve as a missionary. Although they don't actually go house to house, Aaronic priesthood holders assist full-time missionaries by making appointments and preparing the way for the full-time missionaries.

How should the priesthood be used?

D&C 121:37 clearly defines how the priesthood should be used including presiding over the Church with patience and long-suffering, with gentleness and meekness and love unfeigned. What does this mean? It means we have an obligation to the Saints, that is, our fellow church members, to encourage them, as well as providing them with a sense of security and respect for themselves. Likewise, if we fail to carry out our duties or use our position as priesthood holders or, if we use it improperly to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion (interfering with a person's free-agency) the Spirit of the Lord is grieved and the heavens withdraw themselves.

Summary

As priesthood holders we are reminded that we are agents for the Lord and should think of his calling as being on an errand for the Lord. In doing so we magnify the priesthood.

I hope that this article gives you a better understanding of the LDS ("Mormon") Church and - especially - of the priesthood, what exactly it is and how it was and is intended to be used.