588. The Aaronic Priesthood administers in matters pertaining to the temporal welfare of the people.
591. The bishop holds the keys and authority of presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood.
588. The Aaronic Priesthood administers in matters pertaining to the temporal welfare of the people.
The Church has two characteristics—the temporal and the spiritual, and one is not without the other. We maintain that both are essential and that one without the other is incomplete and ineffectual. Hence, the Lord instituted in the government of the Church two Priesthoods—the lesser or Aaronic, having special charge of the temporal, and the higher or Melchizedek, looking to the spiritual welfare of the people. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 150) DGSM:68
The lesser priesthood is a part of, or an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. The lesser or Aaronic priesthood can make appointments for the greater in preaching; can baptize, administer the sacrament, attend to the tithing, buy lands, settle people in possessions, divide inheritances, look after the poor, take care of the properties of the church, attend generally to temporal affairs. (Gospel Kingdom, p. 155) DGSM:68
We may be sure that the Aaronic Priesthood will never be taken from the earth while mortality endures, for there will always be need for temporal direction and the performance of ordinances pertaining to "the preparatory Gospel." CHMR1:62; DCSM:28
The bishop is responsible for the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and for the young women as well. He receives and accounts for tithes and offerings. He is responsible for the temporal affairs of the Church, to seek out the poor, and he has many other duties. (CR 1999Apr; The Bishop and His Counselors, Ensign, May 1999, p.57)
Generally, the Aaronic Priesthood, under the direction of the bishopric, has the responsibility to administer and pass the sacrament. ¶ The Aaronic Priesthood is a great gift of spiritual power that the Lord conferred upon Aaron and his sons. It holds "the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel" and also includes "the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." (A Royal Priesthood, CR April 2006)
Related Witnesses:
Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood, or the preparatory priesthood, hold the authority, when specifically directed, to perform those ordinances that belong to that priesthood. They can baptize. They can bless the sacrament and perform every service relating to the lesser priesthood. They cannot confirm someone a member of the Church, however, for that takes a higher authority. (The Holy Temple, p. 150-51) TLDP:509
The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church, of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, of communion with the general assembly and Church of the first born, and the presence of God, the Father, and Jesus, the Mediator.
The Aaronic Priesthood is an appendage to the first, and holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and the outward ordinances and letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 191) TLDP:508
The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:20
Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:14
And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27. Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. (Revelation on priesthood received in the presence of six elders, Sept. 22/23, 1832) D&C 84:26-27
quoted by Joseph Smith
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. (John the Baptist ordains Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood, May 15, 1829) D&C 13:1
I had the administration of angels while holding the office of a priest. I had visions and revelations. I traveled thousands of miles. I baptized men, though I could not confirm them because I had not the authority to do it.
I speak of these things to show that a man should not be ashamed of any portion of the priesthood. (Millennial Star, 1891, 53:641-42) DCSM:28
589. The Aaronic Priesthood was restored to earth by John the Baptist, who personally bestowed the keys thereof upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Throughout this conference you have heard testimony from men who, with tears in their eyes, if you were close enough to see, their lips quivering with emotion, testified that they know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and gave instructions about organizing Christ's Church; and that Peter, James, and John, who held the authority from the Christ himself, gave that authority in this dispensation; that the Melchizedek Priesthood was bestowed upon the Prophet Joseph and Oliver Cowdery; that John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ, bestowed the Aaronic Priesthood. CR1967Oct:151
We claim . . . authority and declare to all the world that John the Baptist, who held the keys of authority to baptize, restored the Aaronic priesthood, and bestowed it upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. CR1935Apr:8
Peter, James, and John conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Melchizedek Priesthood. Before that time John the Baptist came and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. CR1967Apr:98
John the Baptist, who held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood in the days of Jesus, now a resurrected person, came to earth and laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred upon them "the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." (D&C 13) CR1958Oct:96
It seems fitting that the man who testified of the Savior, John the Baptist, has come and conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, the Aaronic Priesthood, and that later the three men, Peter, James, and John, who were with the Savior on the Mount when he was transfigured before them, and God again testified of his Son, should come and confer upon the Prophet Joseph and Oliver Cowdery the Melchizedek Priesthood, the priesthood after the order of the Son of God that has to do with the spiritual endowments, authorities, and blessings of God's church. CR1954Oct:48
We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:
69. Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
70. He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.
71. Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded.
72. The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized. (John the Baptist appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, May 15, 1829) JS-H 1:68-72
The Aaronic Priesthood was restored on May 15, 1829, under the hands of John the Baptist, and the Melchizedek Priesthood within a month under the hands of the ancient Apostles Peter, James, and John to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Thus those possessing the priesthood today claim the power to act in the name of God through the priesthood, "which power commands respect both on earth and in heaven." (The Restoration of All Things, CR April 2006)
In response to that "mighty prayer," John the Baptist came, restoring the keys and powers of the Aaronic Priesthood, which our young men in this audience tonight have been given. A few weeks later Peter, James, and John returned to restore the keys and powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood, including the keys of the apostleship. (CR 2005Apr; Our Most Distinguishing Feature, Ensign, May 2005)
First, there was John the Baptist, who conferred the Aaronic, or lesser priesthood. This was followed by a visitation of Peter, James, and John, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who conferred upon Joseph and Oliver Cowdery the Melchizedek Priesthood, which had been received by these Apostles under the hands of the Lord Himself (CR 2005Apr; The Great Things Which God Has Revealed, Ensign, May 2005)
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim; . . .
7. And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;
8. Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron; (Revelation to Joseph Smith through a heavenly messenger, Aug. 1830) D&C 27:5,7-8
He [Joseph Smith] lived until he received every key, ordinance and law ever given to any man on the earth, from Father Adam down, touching this dispensation. . . . [H]e received under the hand of John the Baptist the Aaronic Priesthood, with all its keys and powers, and every other key and power belonging to this dispensation, and I am not ashamed to say that he was a Prophet of God, and he laid the foundation of the greatest work and dispensation that has ever been established on the earth. (In new Tabernacle, Oct. 1873, JD16:267) DGSM:68
quoted by Joseph Smith
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. (Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood, May 15, 1829, by the hands of an angel, who announced himself as John the Baptist and who explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of the higher, Melchizedek Priesthood) D&C 13:1
590. The Aaronic Priesthood is called the lesser priesthood because it is an appendage to the greater Melchizedek Priesthood.
The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations.
14. Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:13-14
The lesser priesthood is a part of, or an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. The lesser or Aaronic priesthood can make appointments for the greater in preaching; can baptize, administer the sacrament, attend to the tithing, buy lands, settle people in possessions, divide inheritances, look after the poor, take care of the properties of the church, attend generally to temporal affairs. . . . They hold the keys of the ministering of angels and administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, and the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Gospel Kingdom, p. 155) DGSM:68
The higher priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, always presides over the Aaronic, or the lesser, Priesthood. Aaron was the high priest, or the presiding priest, of the Aaronic Priesthood. But Moses presided over Aaron because Moses held the Melchizedek Priesthood.
The fact that it is called the lesser priesthood does not diminish at all the importance of the Aaronic Priesthood. The Lord said it is necessary to the Melchizedek Priesthood. (See D&C 84:29.) Any holder of the higher priesthood should feel greatly honored to perform the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood, for they have great spiritual importance. (That All May Be Edified, p. 25) TLDP:507
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
The office of a Bishop belongs to the lesser Priesthood. He is the highest officer in the Aaronic Priesthood, and has the privilege of using the Urim and Thummim—has the administration of angels, if he has faith, and lives so that he can receive and enjoy the blessings Aaron enjoyed. At the same time, could Aaron rise up and say, "I have as much power and authority as you, Moses ?" No; for Moses held the keys and authority above all the rest upon the earth. He holds the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which is the Priesthood of the Son of God, which holds the keys of all these Priesthoods, dispensing the blessings and privileges of both Priesthoods to the people, as he did in the days of the Children of Israel when he led them out of Egypt. (At Mill Creek Ward, May 7, 1861, JD9:87) DBY:143
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes two orders of Priesthood, the lesser called the Aaronic, the greater known as the Melchizedek order. AF:186
Related Witnesses:
And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages belonging unto the high priesthood.
30. And again, the offices of teacher and deacon are necessary appendages belonging to the lesser priesthood, which priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons. (Revelation on priesthood, received in the presence of six elders, Sept. 22/23, 1832) D&C 84:29-30
He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me. (John the Baptist appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, May 15, 1829) JS-H 1:70
The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:13
The Aaronic Priesthood is named after Aaron, who was given to Moses as his mouthpiece, to act under his direction in the carrying out of God's purposes respecting Israel. For this reason it is sometimes called the Lesser Priesthood; but though lesser, it is neither small nor insignificant. AF:186
591. The bishop holds the keys and authority of presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood.
The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations.
14. Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances.
15. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:13-15
Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is to preside over forty-eight priests, and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants—
88. This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:87-88
The bishop is the presiding officer in the Aaronic Priesthood. The bishop of a ward presides over the Aaronic Priesthood of the ward, and as he also holds the office of high priest, he also, by virtue of that fact, is the president of the ward and has jurisdiction over all the people. CHMR:1:259
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
The office of a Bishop belongs to the lesser Priesthood. He is the highest officer in the Aaronic Priesthood, and has the privilege of using the Urim and Thummim—has the administration of angels, if he has faith, and lives so that he can receive and enjoy the blessings Aaron enjoyed. At the same time, could Aaron rise up and say, "I have as much power and authority as you, Moses ?" No; for Moses held the keys and authority above all the rest upon the earth. He holds the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which is the Priesthood of the Son of God, which holds the keys of all these Priesthoods, dispensing the blessings and privileges of both Priesthoods to the people, as he did in the days of the Children of Israel when he led them out of Egypt. (At Mill Creek Ward, May 7, 1861, JD9:87) DBY:143
The bishop is responsible for the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and for the young women as well. He receives and accounts for tithes and offerings. He is responsible for the temporal affairs of the Church, to seek out the poor, and he has many other duties. (CR 1999Apr; The Bishop and His Counselors, Ensign, May 1999, p.57)
Principles of priesthood government have been clarified. The place of the quorums of the priesthood—Aaronic and Melchizedek—has been magnified. Always, everywhere, there are leaders who hold the keys—bishops and presidents—to give guidance, to clarify misunderstandings, to detect and correct false doctrines. (On Zion's Hill, CR October 2005)
Related Witnesses:
But, as a high priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power, under the hands of the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood. (Revelation, Nov. 1831) D&C 68:19
Wherefore, the office of a bishop is not equal unto it [to the High Priesthood]; for the office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things;
69. Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood, unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron; . . . (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:68-69
