What is the Mormon Priesthood?
The 5th Article of Faith on Holding the Priesthood in the LDS Church
Sep 4, 2009
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) is fairly unique in that it functions with a lay priesthood. Ordinary members hold the priesthood power and perform priesthood ordinances like baptism.
What is the Priesthood?
As Mormons understand it, priesthood is the authority to act in the name of God in performing spiritually binding ordinances like baptism, confirmation, and temple marriage (sealing.)
History of the Priesthood Power - An LDS Perspective
When Jesus Christ was on the earth, he chose and set apart 12 disciples and gave Peter the keys, or authority, to lead the church as its president (see Matthew 16: 18-19). Mormons believe that this is the same priesthood power held in the LDS church today.
Mormons believe that formerly, priesthood power was lost from the earth after the death of the original disciples. Without a president (Peter), the church split up into various denominations over the next thousand years. Priesthood power was restored through Joseph Smith in 1829.
LDS Fifth Article of Faith
The 5th Article of Faith, one of thirteen declarations of basic Mormon beliefs written by Joseph Smith, deals with LDS beliefs about priesthood authority, how it is conferred, and what it is for. It reads: "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."
How Modern-Day Mormon Priesthood is Conferred
Before a Mormon is ordained to the priesthood, he is interviewed by his ecclesiastical leader to make sure he is worthy – that is, that he is trying to keep the commandments and is free of any serious moral sins.
When an LDS priesthood ordination occurs, one or more priesthood holders put their hands on the individual's head and state his full name, the office to which they are ordaining him, and the priesthood they hold by which they are doing this.
Each priesthood holder has a certificate showing his "line of authority." This document states who ordained him, who ordained that person, and so on back through the line. Ultimately, every priesthood holder in the LDS church has a line of authority going back to Joseph Smith, who was ordained by the angels of Peter, James, and John, who were ordained by Jesus Christ. Every Mormon's priesthood must originate with Jesus Christ in order to be valid.
Aaronic Priesthood in the LDS Church
In the LDS church, the priesthood is divided into two categories: the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood is often called the preparatory priesthood. Aaronic priesthood holders can pass the sacrament (communion) in church, baptize people, and go to the temple to be baptized for the dead.
Although they must be interviewed and found worthy for each advancement in the Aaronic priesthood, male members are typically ordained to a deacon at age 12, a teacher at 14, and a priest at 16.
Melchizedek Priesthood in the LDS Church
Male members are eligible at age 18 to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. Melchizedek priesthood holders can bless the sacrament, go to the temple for their own ordinances like endowment and sealing, give blessings of healing and comfort, and confirm newly baptized members to give them the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Can LDS Black Men or Mormon Women Hold the Priesthood?
All worthy male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are currently eligible to hold the priesthood. A 1978 revelation opened the priesthood to black men, who were not previously able to hold the priesthood.
Women do not hold the priesthood. It is generally accepted in the LDS church that the female equivalent to priesthood power is the sacred role of motherhood. John A. Widtsoe also explains in Preisthood and Church Government (1965) that "men have no greater claim than women upon the blessings that issue from the Priesthood" such as baptism, confirmation, and temple ordinances.
Unpaid Mormon Clergy
The LDS church has a lay clergy, meaning that its priesthood leadership positions are not salaried. People are called to leadership positions in the church by revelation from their ecclesiastical leaders, which they fulfill as a volunteer in addition to their regular 9-to-5 job. Women can hold teaching and leadership positions that do not require the priesthood.
The highest LDS church officials give full-time church service and must receive a living allowance, but this is provided from the profits of the church's commercial holdings and not from tithing money.
Mormons define the priesthood as authority God gives to act in His name to perform sacred church ordinances. In the LDS church it is personal worthiness rather than religious degrees that qualifies a person to hold the priesthood. Currently, all worthy male Mormons can hold the priesthood.
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