593. Priesthood is the ruling, presiding, governing authority in the Church.
595. The Melchizedek Priesthood administers primarily in the spiritual matters of the Church.
596. The Melchizedek Priesthood always presides over the Aaronic Priesthood.
598. Three high priests form the First Presidency, the presiding council in the Church.
592. The "Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God" is also called the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:2-4
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily I say unto you, I now give unto you the officers belonging to my Priesthood, that ye may hold the keys thereof, even the Priesthood which is after the order of Melchizedek, which is after the order of my Only Begotten Son. (Revelation received Jan. 19, 1841, Nauvoo, Ill.) D&C 124:123
We find that after the days of Noah an order was introduced called the patriarchal order, in which every man managed his own family affairs. And prominent men among them were kings and priests unto God, and officiated in what is known among us as the priesthood of the Son of God, or the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. Man began again to multiply on the face of the earth, and the heads of families became their kings and priests, that is, the fathers of their own people. (General conference, Oct. 1874, JD17:207) TLDP:504
also quoting Joseph Smith
The Melchizedek Priesthood is named after the king of Salem, a great High Priest before whose day it was known as "the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the Church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek." [See D&C 107:3-4AF:186-87
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
Abraham was faithful to the true God; he overthrew the idols of his father and obtained the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, which is after the order of the Son of God, and a promise that of the increase of his seed there should be no end; when you obtain the holy Priesthood, which is after the order of Melchizedek, sealed upon you, and the promise that your seed shall be numerous as the stars in the firmament, or as the sands upon the seashore, and of your increase there shall be no end, you have then got the promise of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the blessings that were conferred upon them. (On a visit to Utah, Juab, and Sanpete counties, Utah, June and July, 1865, JD11:118) DBY:106
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
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
Soon thereafter, Peter, James, and John, Apostle companions of the Lord, restored the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood—“the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.” (CR 2003Apr; “The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected”, Ensign, November 2003, p.24)
These, then, are the ten blessings of the priesthood, the Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, the priesthood which the saints in ancient days called after Melchizedek to avoid the too frequent repetition of the name of Deity. (CR 1977Oct; The Ten Blessings of the Priesthood, Ensign, November 1977, p.33)
Related Witnesses:
When the gospel was given to the Jews, all the gifts and graces and powers thereof, accompanied it. It was accompanied by the Eternal Priesthood—which is after the order of the Son of God, without which no man can administer in the ordinances of life and salvation. (In Tabernacle, July 20, 1883, JD24:240) TLDP:86
593. Priesthood is the ruling, presiding, governing authority in the Church.
The Priesthood after the order of the Son of God is the ruling, presiding authority in the Church. It is divided into its various parts—the Melchizedek and the Aaronic—and all the quorums or councils are organized in the Church, each with special duties and special callings; not clashing with one another, but all harmonious and united. In other words, there is no government in the Church of Jesus Christ separate and apart, above, or outside of the holy Priesthood or its authority. We have our Relief Societies, Mutual Improvement Associations, Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, and we may organize, if we choose, associations for self-help among ourselves, not subject to our enemies, but for our good and the good of our people, but these organizations are not quorums or councils of the Priesthood, but are auxiliary to, and under it; organized by virtue of the holy Priesthood. They are not outside of, nor above it, nor beyond its reach. They acknowledge the principle of the Priesthood. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 144) TLDP:510 [quoted in part in DGSM:68]
The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.
9. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:8-9
While the power of the higher, or Melchizedek is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church; . . . and to preside over all the spiritual officers of the Church, yet the Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the Church, both spiritual and temporal. (Items on Priesthood, p. 31) TLDP:507
Related Witnesses:
Again, the duty of the president over the office of elders is to preside over ninety-six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to teach them according to the covenants.
90. This presidency is a distinct one from that of the seventy, and is designed for those who do not travel into all the world.
91. And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses —
92. Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.
93. And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy;
94. And the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six;
95. And these seven presidents are to choose other seventy besides the first seventy to whom they belong, and are to preside over them; (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:89-95
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily, I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, there must needs be presiding elders to preside over those who are of the office of an elder;
61. And also priests to preside over those who are of the office of a priest;
62. And also teachers to preside over those who are of the office of a teacher, in like manner, and also the deacons—
63. Wherefore, from deacon to teacher, and from teacher to priest, and from priest to elder, severally as they are appointed, according to the covenants and commandments of the church.
64. Then comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all.
65. Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the High Priesthood to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called President of the High Priesthood of the Church,
66. Or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the Church. (Revelation on priesthood, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:60-66
also quoting Parley P. Pratt
We sometimes hear people who talk about the Church as a democracy. Well, it isn't any such thing. Democracy means a government where the sole authority is vested in the people—the right to nominate, the right to release, to change. The Church is not a democracy. It is more like a kingdom than a democracy—and yet it is not wholly like a kingdom, except that we accept the Lord as the king, who has under His direction an earthly head who operates and becomes His mouthpiece. It is an organization that is defined more accurately as a theocracy, which means that it is something like a kingdom as the world would define it, and yet something like a democracy. . . .
Let me read you something by Parley P. Pratt that appeared in the Millennial Star in 1845. It was called a "Proclamation."
"The legislative, judicial, and executive power is vested in Him (the Lord). He reveals the laws, and he elects, chooses, or appoints the officers; and holds the right to reprove, to correct, or even to remove them at pleasure. Hence the necessity of a constant intercourse by direct revelation between Him and His Church. As a precedent for the foregoing facts, we refer to the examples of all ages as recorded in the Scriptures.
"This order of government began in Eden—God appointed Adam to govern the earth and gave him laws.
"It was perpetuated in a regular succession from Adam to Noah to Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, the prophets, John, Jesus and his apostles. All, and each of which were chosen by the Lord, and not by the people." (Millennial Star, March 1843, p. 150; Stand Ye in Holy Places, pp. 150-51) TLDP:83
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
I will inform you that it is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instruction for those in authority, higher than themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom. (Letter to Jared Carter, from Kirtland, Ohio, April 13, 1833) HC1:338-39; TPJS:21
594. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is directed and governed by revelation from God through priesthood authorities.
Divine revelation has always been a characteristic of the living Church—it is absolutely essential to its continued existence in an organized state on the earth. . . .
The Church of Jesus Christ was established and is now directed by revelation, and that fact is largely responsible for the appeal which this new Church makes, and when I say "new," I wish to emphasize that to us it is not new but a restoration of that which was . . . .That the Church is progressive and responsive to revealed truth is evidenced by our further declaration that we believe that God will yet reveal many great and important things.
This church . . . is not committed to any formal or inflexible creed, but its members are taught to believe in and live by the revelations of the past and present and thus prepare themselves for the revelations yet to come. Our concepts and even our faith must be held subject to new light. . . .
So we may trace the line of revelators, men who have stood, each in his time, as the medium through whom God speaks to his people, from Moses to Joshua, through the Judges, on to David and Solomon and down to Zachariah and Malachi. Christ himself, came to this world to reveal God to men, and he himself was led and directed by revelation from his Father while he dwelt on this earth. . . .
All the prophets and leaders of ancient times were led, directed, chosen, inspired by God himself through revelation.
We think we are justified in anticipating future revelation, and we believe that it will be surpassing in importance and glorious fulness anything that has yet been revealed. We believe that he will continue to reveal himself as long as man continues his probation here on earth. CR1961Oct:94-97
quoted by Elder Harold B. Lee
Let me read you something by Parley P. Pratt that appeared in the Millennial Star in 1845. It was called a "Proclamation."
"The legislative, judicial, and executive power is vested in Him (the Lord). He reveals the laws, and he elects, chooses, or appoints the officers; and holds the right to reprove, to correct, or even to remove them at pleasure. Hence the necessity of a constant intercourse by direct revelation between Him and His Church." (Millennial Star, March 1843, p. 150; Stand Ye in Holy Places, pp. 150-51) TLDP:83
The same spirit of revelation that Moses had . . . rests upon him who holds the presidency as senior apostle in the midst of the people of God. The apostles of this Church have all the authority, they have all the keys, . . . all the spirit of revelation necessary to lead this people into the presence of the Lamb in the celestial kingdom of our God. . . .
But it is the truth, that the same spirit of revelation that rested upon Moses, and which enabled him to lead the children of Israel through the Red Sea, rests upon the servants of God in the midst of this people, and you will find it so to your entire satisfaction if you will listen to their counsels and be guided by them. (At Hyde Park, Nov. 2, 1879, JD21:270-71) DCSM:19
The Lord never had—and never will have to the end of time—a Church on earth without Prophets, Apostles, and inspired men. Whenever the Lord had a people on the earth that He acknowledged as such, that people were led by revelation. No man can find anything contrary to this. When the gospel was given to the Jews, all the gifts and graces and powers thereof, accompanied it. It was accompanied by the Eternal Priesthood—which is after the order of the Son of God, without which no man can administer in the ordinances of life and salvation. (In Tabernacle, July 20, 1883, JD24:240) TLDP:86
Now there isn't any language that can possibly overstate, that can overemphasize, the dignity and glory of the office of an elder. Elders are ministers of Christ. They are called to administer in spiritual things. They do everything that an Aaronic Priesthood holder does. In addition, they lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. They conduct meetings as they are guided by the Holy Spirit. ACR(Lima)1977:18
Every day leaders of the Church are led by revelation to conduct the affairs of the Church, general and local, throughout the world. (CR 1980Apr; Communion with the Holy Spirit, Ensign, May 1980, p.12)
Related Witnesses:
Take away the organization of the Church, and its power would cease. Every part of its organization is necessary and essential to its perfect existence. Disregard, ignore, or omit any part and you start imperfection in the Church; and if we should continue in that way we would find ourselves like those of old, being led by error, superstition, ignorance and by the cunning and craftiness of men. We would soon leave out here a little and there a little, here a line and there a precept, until we would become like the rest of the world: divided, disorganized, confused, and without knowledge, without revelation or inspiration, and without Divine authority or power. CR1915Apr:5
The Melchizedek priesthood holds the mysteries of the revelations of God. Wherever that priesthood exists, there also exists a knowledge of the laws of God; and wherever the gospel has existed, there has always been revelation; and where there has been no revelation, there never has been the true gospel. (In new Tabernacle, May 1870, JD13:231) DGSM:68
The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—
19. To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:18-19
And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; (Revelation on priesthood, received in the presence of six elders, Sept. 22/23, 1832) D&C 84:19-21
receiving the Word of the Lord
For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead. (Revelation for Oliver Cowdery, Sept. 1830) D&C 28:7
The priesthood or authority in which we stand is the medium or channel through which our Heavenly Father has purposed to communicate light, intelligence, gifts, powers, and spiritual and temporal salvation unto the present generation. (Millennial Star, 1841, 2:39) DGSM:68
595. The Melchizedek Priesthood administers primarily in the spiritual matters of the Church.
The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things. . . .
10. High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in the office of an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member. . . .
18. The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—
19. To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:8,10,18-19
While the power of the higher, or Melchizedek is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church; . . . and to preside over all the spiritual officers of the Church, yet the Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the Church, both spiritual and temporal. (Items on Priesthood, p. 31) TLDP:507
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 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
Now let us speak of the offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood. "Elders are ministers of Christ; they are called to administer in spiritual things (D&C 107:12). . . ." ACR(Lima)1977:18
The priesthood or authority in which we stand is the medium or channel through which our Heavenly Father has purposed to communicate light, intelligence, gifts, powers, and spiritual and temporal salvation unto the present generation. (Millennial Star, 1841, 2:39) DGSM:68
Melchizedek Priesthood quorums are responsible for the spiritual and temporal welfare of all men and their families. Much of the work among the families of the ward that is currently being done by members of the bishopric could appropriately be performed by the men of the Melchizedek Priesthood if properly discussed and coordinated in council meetings. (CR 1998Oct; Are We Keeping Pace?, Ensign, November 1998, p.6)
596. The Melchizedek Priesthood always presides over the Aaronic Priesthood.
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
You always hold one of these [Aaronic priesthood] offices. When you receive the next higher office, you still retain the authority of the first. For instance, when you become a priest, you still have authority to do all that you did as a deacon and teacher. Even when you receive the higher priesthood, you keep all of the authority of, and, with proper authorization, can act in the offices of, the lesser priesthood. (That All May Be Edified, p. 25) TLDP:507
[A]ll the keys and authority and power pertaining to the government of the Church and to the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood are centered in the presiding officer of the Church. There is no business nor office within the Church, that the President of the Church may not fill, and may not do, if it is necessary, or if it is required of him to do it. He holds the office of patriarch; he holds the office of high priest and of apostle, of seventy, of elder, of bishop and of priest, teacher and deacon in the Church; all these belong to the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they can officiate in any and in all of these callings when occasion requires. CR1915Oct:7
Elders are ministers of Christ. They are called to administer in spiritual things. They do everything that an Aaronic Priesthood holder does. In addition, they lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. They conduct meetings as they are guided by the Holy Spirit. ACR(Lima)1977:18
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Although there are two Priesthoods, yet the Melchizedek Priesthood comprehends the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood, and is the grand head, and holds the highest authority which pertains to the priesthood, and the keys of the Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity on the earth; and is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of salvation and every important matter is revealed from heaven.
Its institution was prior to the "foundation of this earth, or the morning stars sang together, or the Sons of God shouted for joy," and is the highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the order of the Son of God, and all other Priesthoods are only parts, ramifications, powers and blessings belonging to the same, and are held, controlled, and directed by it. (From an article on priesthood, read at a general conference of the Church by Robert B. Thompson, and included as part of minutes of the conference held in Nauvoo, Ill., Oct. 5, 1840) TPJS:166-67
597. The President of the Church alone holds the fulness of the keys of the priesthood, the power of directing the labors of the priesthood.
President Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund
The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has this authority delegated to him.
But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fulness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor. Thus, the president of a temple, the president of a stake, the bishop of a ward, the president of a mission, the president of a quorum, each holds the keys of the labors performed in that particular body or locality. His Priesthood is not increased by this special appointment, for a seventy who presides over a mission has no more Priesthood than a seventy who labors under his direction; and the president of an elder's quorum, for example, has no more Priesthood than any member of that quorum. But he holds the power of directing the official labors performed in the mission or the quorum, or in other words, the keys of that division of that work. So it is throughout all the ramifications of the Priesthood—a distinction must be carefully made between the general authority, and the directing of the labors performed by that authority. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 136) TLDP:508; DGSM:68 (in part)
[A]ll the keys and authority and power pertaining to the government of the Church and to the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood are centered in the presiding officer of the Church. There is no business nor office within the Church, that the President of the Church may not fill, and may not do, if it is necessary, or if it is required of him to do it. He holds the office of patriarch; he holds the office of high priest and of apostle, of seventy, of elder, of bishop and of priest, teacher and deacon in the Church; all these belong to the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they can officiate in any and in all of these callings when occasion requires. CR1915Oct:7
receiving the Word of the Lord
Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood: (Revelation for the Prophet's newly called counselor in the First Presidency, Frederick G.Williams, March 1832) D&C 81:2
receiving the Word of the Lord
For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead. (Revelation for Oliver Cowdery, Sept. 1830) D&C 28:7
[T]hose who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood can perform the ordinances relating to the higher priesthood. But unless they are given special authorization they cannot endow, nor seal, nor perform those ordinances that pertain to the temple.
There are limits.
I heard President Kimball say on one occasion, as other Presidents of the Church have said, that while he holds all of the keys that are held upon the earth, there are keys that he does not hold. There are keys that have not been given to him as President of the Church, because they are reserved to higher power and authority. For instance, he said that he does not hold the keys of the resurrection. The Lord holds them, but He has not delegated them—neither anciently, nor to modern prophets. . . .
Nevertheless, in the Church we hold sufficient authority to perform all of the ordinances necessary to redeem and to exalt the whole human family. And, because we have the keys to the sealing power, what we bind in proper order here will be bound in heaven. Those keys—the keys to seal and bind on earth, and have it bound in heaven—represent the consummate gift from our God. With that authority we can baptize and bless, we can endow and seal, and the Lord will honor our commitments. (The Holy Temple, pp. 150-51) TLDP:509
Only one man at a time on the earth holds the keys of the priesthood; only one man at a time has the power to receive revelations for the Church; but the Lord has made it possible for every man in this Church, through his obedience, to receive the fulness of the priesthood through the ordinances of the temple of the Lord. This cannot be received anywhere else. (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:131-33) TLDP:503-04
The new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel. It is composed of "All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations" that are sealed upon members of the Church by the Holy Spirit of promise, or the Holy Ghost, by the authority of the President of the Church who holds the keys. The President of the Church holds the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He delegates authority to others and authorizes them to perform the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:65) DCSM:46
(First Presidency)
The leading fact to be remembered is that the Priesthood is greater than any of its offices; and that any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood may, by virtue of its possession, perform any ordinance pertaining thereto, or connected therewith, when called upon to do so by one holding the proper authority, which proper authority is vested in the President of the Church, or in any whom he may designate. Every officer in the Church is under his direction, and he is directed of God. He is also selected of the Lord to be the head of the Church, and so becomes, when the Priesthood of the Church (which includes its officers), and its members, shall have so accepted and upheld him. (D&C 197:22) No man can justly presume to have authority to preside, merely by virtue of his Priesthood. . . .
Every man holding the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood may act in any capacity and do all things that such Priesthood authorizes, it makes no difference what office in that Priesthood he holds, providing he is called upon by proper authority to so officiate; but he would have no right to depart from the limitations of his office, unless he is specially called upon by one whose calling, from those over him up to the head, would clearly authorize him to give such instructions. It is always to be presumed, also, that order will be observed, and that the servants of the Lord will not depart from that order, and call upon men to do things which the law of the Priesthood and the nature of their office, does not authorize, unless there is special occasion for it. The Lord says that all things are governed by law. (See D&C 88:42.) It is not consistent, for instance, to imagine that the Lord would call upon a deacon to baptize. (Officially published: IE1902May:549-51) MOFP4:43-44
recorded in Matthew
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Jesus instructs his disciples; he addresses Peter) Matthew 16:19
When a man is ordained to the apostleship and set apart as a member of the Council of the Twelve, he is given the keys of the priesthood of God. Each of the fifteen living men so ordained holds these keys. However, only the President of the Church has the right to exercise them in their fulness. He may delegate the exercise of various of them to one or more of his Brethren. Each has the keys but is authorized to use them only to the degree granted him by the prophet of the Lord. (CR 1992Oct; The Church Is on Course, Ensign, November 1992, p.53)
Yesterday, members of the Church sustained the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators, with Gordon B. Hinckley also being sustained as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He, and only he, holds and exercises in their fulness all of the keys of God’s kingdom on earth. (CR 1993Apr; Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers, Ensign, November 1999, p.62)
Often we speak of keys of priesthood authority. Fifteen living men—the First Presidency and the Twelve—have been ordained as Apostles and have had all keys of priesthood authority conferred upon them. President Gordon B. Hinckley recently explained that “only the President of the Church has the right to exercise [those keys] in their fulness. He may delegate the exercise of various of them to one or more of his Brethren. (CR 1993Apr; Honoring the Priesthood, Ensign, May 1993, p.38)
The Council of the Twelve comes next in line. These brethren also hold the divine keys, but only the President of the Church may exercise all of these keys in their fulness, for this privilege is given to but one man on earth at a time. The Twelve also work by delegation from the President of the Church. They receive assignments from him, and fulfill them with complete devotion. (CR 1981Oct; Follow the Prophets, Ensign, November 1981, p.64)
Related Witnesses:
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. He received powers and keys from under the hands of Moses for gathering the house of Israel in the last days; he received under the hands of Elias the keys of sealing the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers; he received under the hands of Peter, James and John, the Apostleship, and everything belonging thereto; he received under the hands of Moroni all the keys and powers required of the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim; he 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
Author's Note: The Apostles of the Church have all the authority, they have all the keys, but only the President has the power to exercise those keys.
President Brigham Young said:
"All the Priesthood, all the keys, all the gifts, all the endowments, and everything preparatory to entering back into the presence of the Father and of the Son is in, composed of, circumscribed by, or I might say incorporated within the circumference of the Apostleship." (TLDP:522) Brigham Young also said: "I say unto you that the Quorum of the Twelve have the keys of the kingdom of God in all the world." (HC7:233)
598. Three high priests form the First Presidency, the presiding council in the Church.
The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. . . .
22. Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.
23. The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
24. And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:9,22-24
We have the council of the first presidency consisting of three presiding high priests who are called of God and appointed to preside over the Church and over the Priesthood of God, and I want to say here that it does not follow and never has followed that the members of the first presidency of the Church are necessarily to be ordained apostles. They hold by virtue of their rights as presidents of the Church all the keys and all the authority that pertains to the Melchizedek Priesthood, which comprehends and comprises all of the appendages to that priesthood, the lesser priesthood and all the offices in the priesthood from first to last, and from least to greatest. CR1913Apr:4
Three high priests form the First Presidency, the presiding quorum in the Church. The power of presidency is vested in these three and they have authority to receive the mysteries of the kingdom. The President of the Church has vested in him the fulness of the Priesthood, and all the keys of authority over the Priesthood. He alone holds the sealing power in its fulness, and he delegates the authority to others. (See D&C 132:7.)
The twelve apostles form the second quorum in authority in the Church. They have delegated to them the duty and responsibility to preach the Gospel, and to see that it is taught in all the world. The apostles constitute the traveling council of the Church. It is their duty, under the First Presidency, to ordain patriarchs and to set in order all the other officers of the Church. (D&C 132:39,58) They constitute the quorum of special witnesses for Jesus Christ, and it is their duty to testify of him by the power of the Holy Ghost in all the world. CHMR2:20
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
In trying all matters of doctrine, to make a decision valid, it is necessary to obtain a unanimous voice, faith and decision. In the capacity of a Quorum, the three First Presidents must be one in their voice; the Twelve Apostles must be unanimous in their voice; to obtain a righteous decision upon any matter that may come before them, as you may read in the Doctrine and Covenants. Whenever you see these Quorums unanimous in their declaration, you may set it down as true. (At Mill Creek Ward, May 7, 1861, JD9:91-92) DBY:133
Related Witnesses:
[The kingdom of God] has its First Presidency, its Prophets and Apostles, its Seventies and High Priests, its Bishops, Teachers, and Deacons, and every appendage that is necessary to completeness, and to promote the happiness and welfare of the human family, and for all purposes of government on this earth and in the heavens. Or, in other words, this organization is a pattern of things in the heavens and is the medium or channel through which the blessings of God flow to his people on the earth, and through which intelligence is communicated concerning all subjects with which the Saints are concerned, whether they relate to this world or to the world which is to come. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 7, 1859, JD7:323) TLDP:85-86
The First Presidency has authority over all matters pertaining to the Church. ("The Organization of the Church," Millennial Star, Nov. 1851, pp. 337-38) TLDP:521
If the Presidency were to be killed off, then the Council of the Twelve Apostles would stand in their place and preside until the Presidency should be restored; and if they and the First Presidency were all killed off, then the Seventies would come forward and they would establish the order of Zion and renew the order of the Priesthood upon the earth; and if all the Seventies were killed off, and yet there was one Elder, possessing the Melchizedek Priesthood, he would have authority to organize the Church, under the command of God and the guidance of His Holy Spirit, as Joseph did in the beginning; that it should be re-established in its perfect form. So you can see that this organization is well-nigh indestructible. (Elders' Journal, Nov. 1, 1906, p. 46) TLDP:94
599. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stands next in authority to the First Presidency in the Church.
The First Presidency has authority over all matters pertaining to the Church.
The next in order are the Twelve Apostles, whose calling is to preach the gospel, or see it preached, to all the world. They hold the same authority in all parts of the world that the First Presidency do at home, and act under their direction. They are called by revelation and sanctioned by the people. The Twelve have a president. . . . This presidency is obtained by seniority of age and ordination. ("The Organization of the Church," Millennial Star, Nov. 1851, pp. 337-38) TLDP:521
The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
24. And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:23-24
I want here to correct an impression that has grown up to some extent among the people, and that is, that the Twelve Apostles possess equal authority with the First Presidency in the Church. This is correct when there is no other Presidency but the Twelve Apostles; but so long as there are three presiding Elders who possess the presiding authority in the Church, the authority of the Twelve Apostles is not equal to theirs. If it were so, there would be two equal authorities and two equal quorums in the Priesthood, running parallel, and that could not be, because there must be a head. Therefore, so long as there is a First Presidency in the Church they hold supreme authority in the Church, and the Twelve Apostles are subject unto them and do not possess the same authority as they do as a presiding quorum. When the Presidency are not here, or when the Lord takes away the man who is called to be the President of the Church and the quorum of three Presidents is thereby dissolved, then the authority of the Twelve rises to the dignity of Presidents of the Church and not until then. Some people have thought also that the quorum of Seventies possess equal authority with the First Presidency and with the Twelve. So they would if there was no Presidency and no Twelve, and only seventy Elders called Seventies in the Church, but their authority is not equal to that of the First Presidency while the First Presidency lives, nor to that of the Twelve Apostles. (Elders' Journal, Nov. 1906, p. 43) TLDP:250-51
If the Presidency were to be killed off, then the Council of the Twelve Apostles would stand in their place and preside until the Presidency should be restored; and if they and the First Presidency were all killed off, then the Seventies would come forward and they would establish the order of Zion and renew the order of the Priesthood upon the earth; and if all the Seventies were killed off, and yet there was one Elder, possessing the Melchizedek Priesthood, he would have authority to organize the Church, under the command of God and the guidance of His Holy Spirit, as Joseph did in the beginning; that it should be re-established in its perfect form. So you can see that this organization is well-nigh indestructible. (Elders' Journal, Nov. 1, 1906, p. 46) TLDP:94
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
Suppose that Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams had been taken away or had apostatized, as one of them did soon after the revelation I have referred to was given, and there had been only Joseph Smith left of the First Presidency, would he alone have had authority to set in order the Kingdom of God on the earth? Yes. Again: Suppose that eleven of the Twelve had been taken away by the power of the Adversary, that one Apostle has the same power that Joseph had, and could preach, baptize, and set in order the whole Kingdom of God upon the earth, as much so as the Twelve were they all together. Again: If in the providence of God he should permit the enemy to destroy these two first Quorums, and then destroy the Quorum of the Seventy, all but one man, what is his power? It would be to go and preach, baptize, confirm, lay on hands, ordain, set in order, build up, and establish the whole Kingdom of God as it is now. Suppose the enemy had power to destroy all but one of the High Priests from the face of the earth, what would that one possess in the power of his Priesthood? He would have power and authority to go and preach, baptize, confirm, ordain, and set in order the Kingdom of God in all its perfection on the earth. Could he do this without revelation? No. Could the Seventies? No. Could the Twelve? No. And we ask, could Joseph Smith or the First Presidency do this without revelation? No. Not one of them could do such a work without revelation direct from God. I can go still further. Whoever is ordained to the office of an Elder to a certain degree possesses the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and suppose only one Elder should be left on the earth, could he go and set in order the Kingdom of God? Yes, by revelation. (At Mill Creek Ward, May 7, 1861, JD9:88) DBY:138-39
While the Prophet Joseph Smith stands at the head of this dispensation for all eternity, yet it became necessary in the government of the Church for others to be invested with divine power to stand to direct and preside over the affairs of the kingdom of God on the earth to succeed him after he was taken from mortality. Therefore the Lord made provision for this emergency and in this revelation said: "Nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea, even unto the church." The interpretation of the term "oracles" as used in this revelation is given in the dictionary to be "an infallible authority." For the perpetuity of the Church that provision must be made for a successor to the president who holds the keys, when he shall pass away. The word of the Lord was fulfilled wherein he said that through Joseph Smith the oracles should be given to the Church, and by command of the Lord the Prophet, in Nauvoo a few months before his death, called the apostles together and said to them that the Lord has commanded him to confer upon them all the keys and authorities which he had had conferred upon him, so that the work could be "rolled off" of his shoulders onto theirs. He thereupon conferred upon them this divine governing power, but this governing could not be exercised by any one of the twelve while the Prophet was living. Upon his death the right to preside and set in order and to hold the keys of authority in the Priesthood and in the Church, rightfully belonged to President Brigham Young and by authority of the ordination he had received under the hands of Joseph Smith and by being sustained by his brethren and the Church, he was vested with the supreme power. So likewise each of his successors, President John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and all the Presidents of the Church down to the present have exercised this authority by divine right when the position of presidency in the presiding council has come to them. Each of the apostles when he is ordained has conferred upon him all the keys and authorities which were given by Joseph Smith to the apostles before his death. These brethren, however, cannot exercise these authorities except when the occasion arises that they come to the presidency. Before that time the powers lie dormant. This is one reason why they are sustained as prophets, seers and revelators in the Church, but there can be but one revelator for the Church at a time. CHMR1:388-89
To those who ask the question: How is the President of the Church chosen or elected? the correct and simple answer should be a quotation of the fifth Article of Faith: "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."
The beginning of the call of one to be President of the Church actually begins when he is called, ordained, and set apart to become a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Such a call by prophecy, or in other words, by the inspiration of the Lord to the one holding the keys of presidency, and the subsequent ordination and setting apart by the laying on of hands by that same authority, places each apostle in a priesthood quorum of twelve men holding the apostleship.
Each apostle so ordained under the hands of the President of the Church, who holds the keys of the kingdom of God in concert with all other ordained apostles, has given to him the priesthood authority necessary to hold every position in the Church, even to a position of presidency over the Church if he were called by the presiding authority and sustained by a vote of a constituent assembly of the membership of the Church.
The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that "where the president is not, there is no First Presidency." Immediately following the death of a president, the next ranking body, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, become the presiding authority, with the President of the Twelve automatically becoming the acting President of the Church until a President of the Church is officially ordained and sustained in his office. CR1970Apr:123
Every man who is ordained to the fulness of Apostleship, has the power and the authority to lead and guide the people of God whenever he is called upon to it, and the responsibility rests upon him. . . . And while it is the right of all the Twelve Apostles to receive revelation, and for each one to be a Prophet, to be a Seer, to be a Revelator, and to hold the keys in the fulness, it is only the right of one man at a time to exercise that power in relation to the whole people, and to give revelation and counsel, and direct the affairs of the Church—of course, always acting in conjunction with his fellow-servants. And while we say that the Twelve Apostles have the right to govern, that the Twelve have the authority, that the Twelve Apostles are the men who preside—when we say this, we do not mean that every one of the Twelve is going to give revelation to this great people, that every one of the Twelve has the right to counsel and dictate and regulate the affairs of the Church as emergencies may arise, independent of the rest. The Church is not governed like Zion's Co-operative Institution, by a Board of Directors; this is not God's design. It is governed by men who hold the keys of the Apostleship, who have the right and authority. Any one of them, should an emergency arise, can act as President of the Church, with all the powers, with all the authority, with all the keys, and with every endowment necessary to obtain revelation from God, and to lead and guide this people in the path that leads to the celestial glory; but there is only one man at a time who can hold the keys, who can dictate, who can guide, who can give revelation to the Church. The rest must acquiesce in his action, the rest must be governed by his counsels, the rest must receive his doctrines. (In new Tabernacle, Oct. 8, 1877, JD19:233-34) TLDP:250
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency, who are appointed with you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
31. Which power you hold, in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation;
32. For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you. (Revelation for Thomas B. Marsh concerning the Twelve Apostles, July 23, 1837) D&C 112:30-32
They are the Twelve Apostles, who are called to the office of the Traveling High Council, who are to preside over the churches of the Saints, among the Gentiles, where there is a presidency established; and they are to travel and preach among the Gentiles, until the Lord shall command them to go to the Jews. They are to hold the keys of this ministry, to unlock the door of the Kingdom of heaven unto all nations, and to preach the Gospel to every creature. This is the power, authority, and virtue of their apostleship. ("Items of Instruction to the Twelve," Feb. 27, 1835, reported by Oliver Cowdery, clerk; "President Smith proposed the following question: 'What importance is there attached to the calling of these Twelve Apostles, different from the other callings or officers of the Church?' After the question was discussed by Councilors Patten, Young, Smith, and M'Lellin, President Joseph Smith, Jun., gave the [foregoing] decision") HC2:200
600. Each office in the priesthood (elder, seventy, high priest, bishop, Apostle, etc.) is a calling that derives all of its authority from the priesthood; officers hold different callings, but the same priesthood.
President Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund
(First Presidency)
The leading fact to be remembered is that the Priesthood is greater than any of its offices; and that any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood may, by virtue of its possession, perform any ordinance pertaining thereto, or connected therewith, when called upon to do so by one holding the proper authority, which proper authority is vested in the President of the Church, or in any whom he may designate. . . . An office in the Priesthood is a calling, like apostles, high priest, seventy, elder, and derives all its authority from the Priesthood; these officers hold different callings, but the same Priesthood. (Officially published: IE1902May:549-51) MOFP4:42-43; TLDP:520
There is no office growing out of this Priesthood that is or can be greater than the Priesthood itself. It is from the Priesthood that the office derives its authority and power. No office gives authority to the Priesthood. No office adds to the power of the Priesthood. But all offices in the Church derive their power, their virtue, their authority, from the Priesthood. If our brethren would get this principle thoroughly established in their minds, there would be less misunderstanding in relation to the functions of government in the Church than there is. Today the question is, which is the greater—the High Priest or the Seventy—the Seventy or the High Priest? I tell you that neither of them is the greater, and neither of them is the lesser. Their callings lie in different directions, but they are from the same Priesthood. If it were necessary, the Seventy, holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, as he does, I say if it were necessary, he could ordain a High Priest; and if it were necessary for a High Priest to ordain a seventy, he could do that. Why? Because both of them hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. Then again, if it were necessary, though I do not expect the necessity will ever arise, and there was no man left on earth holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, except an Elder—that Elder, by the inspiration of the Spirit of God and by the direction of the Almighty, could proceed, and should proceed, to organize the Church of Jesus Christ in all its perfection, because he holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. But the house of God is a house of order, and while the other officers remain in the Church, we must observe the order of the priesthood, and we must perform ordinances and ordinations strictly in accordance with that order, as it has been established in the Church through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. CR1903Oct:87
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
[A] person who is ordained to the office of an Elder in this Kingdom has the same Priesthood that the High Priests, that the Twelve Apostles, that the Seventies, and that the First Presidency hold; but all are not called to be one of the Twelve Apostles nor are all called to be one of the First Presidency, nor to be one of the First Presidents of all the Seventies, nor to be one of the Presidents of a Quorum of Seventies, nor to preside over the High Priests' Quorum; but every man in his order and place, possessing a portion of the same Priesthood, according to the gifts and callings to each. (At Mill Creek Ward, May 7, 1861, JD9:89) DBY:134
There are different callings, and offices, and stations, and authorities in the holy priesthood, but it is all the same priesthood; and there are different keys, and powers, and responsibilities, but it is the same government; and all the priesthood are agents in that government, and all are requisite for the organization of the body, the upbuilding of Zion, and the government of his kingdom. ("On Priesthood," Millennial Star, Nov. 1847, p. 322) TLDP:498
Related Witnesses:
Do not think because somebody has a higher office in this Church than you have that you are barred from blessings, because you can go into the temple of the Lord and get all the blessings there are that have been revealed, if you are faithful; you can have them sealed upon you as an elder in this Church, and then you have all that any man can get. There have to be offices in the Church, and we are not all called to the same calling, but you can get the fulness of the priesthood in the temple of the Lord by obeying this which I have read to you. I want to make this emphatic. . . .
To obtain the fulness of the priesthood does not mean that a man must become President of the Church. Every man who is faithful and will receive these ordinances and blessings obtains a fulness of the priesthood, and the Lord has said that "he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion." Only one man at a time on the earth holds the keys of the priesthood; only one man at a time has the power to receive revelations for the Church; but the Lord has made it possible for every man in this Church, through his obedience, to receive the fulness of the priesthood through the ordinances of the temple of the Lord. This cannot be received anywhere else. (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:131-33) TLDP:503-04
Now let us speak of the offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood. "Elders are ministers of Christ; they are called to administer in spiritual things (D&C 107:12), 'To teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost. . . . The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.' (D&C 20:42-45; D&C 46:2) They are to preach the gospel (D&C 53:3), teach from the scriptures (D&C 42:12), administer to the sick (D&C 42:43-52; James 5:14-15, function in the church court system (D&C 42:80), and perform any duty that can be done by a holder of the lesser priesthood." (D&C 20:38-67(Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 215; italics added)
Elders are to perfect the Saints, to feed the flock of God, to work in the organizations of the Church, to lead people to eternal life in our Father's kingdom. All holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood serve as elders. The President of the Church is the presiding elder in the Church. Apostles are elders; so also are seventies, high priests, and patriarchs. There is no way of overstating the importance of the office of an elder.
Now there isn't any language that can possibly overstate, that can overemphasize, the dignity and glory of the office of an elder. Elders are ministers of Christ. They are called to administer in spiritual things. They do everything that an Aaronic Priesthood holder does. In addition, they lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. They conduct meetings as they are guided by the Holy Spirit. They preach the gospel. They teach from the scriptures. They administer to the sick. They are called upon to perfect the Saints, to feed the flock of God, to work in the organizations of the Church, to lead people to eternal life in our Father's kingdom. Now every holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood is an elder. There is with us tonight the presiding elder in the Church. I am an Apostle, and an Apostle is an elder. We rejoice in that calling. All of the work that we do in the temples to make salvation and exaltation available to our ancestors is predicated upon the fact that our dead ancestors are ordained elders. We perform the ordinance for and on their behalf. Every elder makes the covenant of exaltation, and the Lord says to him, "If you magnify your calling [which means if you do the work of an elder], then I, the Lord, will give you all that my Father hath." (See D&C 84:34-39.) Which is to say, you shall have exaltation. And so elders save themselves, and they have power to save others. . . .
High priests are elders with a special call and ordination to perfect the Saints, to preside over Church organizations, to guide the destinies of the Lord's people in any area. They serve as standing presidents. Members of stake presidencies, high councils, and bishoprics are all ordained high priests. ACR(Lima)1977:18
601. Except for the President of the Church, all priesthood holders have designated limits to their authority.
President Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund
Now I make another comparison as I explain something that is understood by relatively few. It is common in the world for institutions to declare authority and at once strictly limit the extent of what is being delegated. For instance, in a branch bank the manager may have authorization to make loans up to a certain amount. If someone requests a loan larger than that amount, then a supervisor must approve it. For even larger amounts the regulations of the bank may require that only the president and chief executive officer himself may approve the loan.
If a commitment for a loan is made by a branch manager within the policy, the bank will honor it, even though that manager may later quit and go to work for a competing bank. . . .
The practice of delegating authority, and at once limiting it, is so commonly demonstrated in business and education, in government, in cultural organizations, that we should not have difficulty in understanding that principle in the Church.
A missionary is given authority to teach and to baptize. Given certain approval, he can ordain someone to a priesthood office. If he is an elder, however, he cannot ordain someone to be a seventy or a high priest, for his authority is limited. Similarly, a bishop can call and release within the limits of his jurisdiction. But he could not, for instance, set apart a stake high councilor. . . .
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.
On the same principle, those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood can perform the ordinances relating to the higher priesthood. But unless they are given special authorization they cannot endow, nor seal, nor perform those ordinances that pertain to the temple.
There are limits. (The Holy Temple, pp. 150-51) TLDP:509
(First Presidency)
The leading fact to be remembered is that the Priesthood is greater than any of its offices; and that any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood may, by virtue of its possession, perform any ordinance pertaining thereto, or connected therewith, when called upon to do so by one holding the proper authority, which proper authority is vested in the President of the Church, or in any whom he may designate. . . . (Officially published: IE1902May:549-51) MOFP4:43; TLDP:520
Related Witnesses:
There is no office growing out of this Priesthood that is or can be greater than the Priesthood itself. It is from the Priesthood that the office derives its authority and power. No office gives authority to the Priesthood. No office adds to the power of the Priesthood. But all offices in the Church derive their power, their virtue, their authority, from the Priesthood. CR1903Oct:87
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
[A] person who is ordained to the office of an Elder in this Kingdom has the same Priesthood that the High Priests, that the Twelve Apostles, that the Seventies, and that the First Presidency hold; but all are not called to be one of the Twelve Apostles nor are all called to be one of the First Presidency, nor to be one of the First Presidents of all the Seventies, nor to be one of the Presidents of a Quorum of Seventies, nor to preside over the High Priests' Quorum; but every man in his order and place, possessing a portion of the same Priesthood, according to the gifts and callings to each. (At Mill Creek Ward, May 7, 1861, JD9:89) DBY:134
Priesthood defined is the power of God given to man to act for Him in all things pertaining to the salvation of man—and I should add, within the limitations of each endowment of authority by the laying on of hands. (Mission presidents' seminar, July 2, 1961) (Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 266) TLDP:519
