"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light..."

Priesthood

Following the Prophets
"The basic doctrines call for real discipline of self; they are hard because wise self-discipline is hard. Among the requirements that God has laid upon us is to pay heed to His living prophets. In our dispensation this has been described as "following the Brethren." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

The Priesthood
"Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth (Heb. 5- 10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38)."

Keys of the Priesthood
"The keys of the priesthood refer to the right to exercise power in the name of Jesus Christ or to preside over a priesthood function, quorum, or organizational division of the Church."

Priesthood Offices
"Priesthood offices are appointments or callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve in specified areas of priesthood responsibility."

Priesthood Ordinances
"Latter-day Saints cherish priesthood blessings as a vital source of grace in facing the crossroads, crises, setbacks, anxieties, and decisions of life. Those who give and receive blessings at the hands of the priesthood in this spirit are lifted up and sustained, and healed in mind, body, and spirit."

Melchizedek Priesthood
"The Melchizedek Priesthood is the authority, responsibility, and power to act in the name of Jesus Christ and to organize and direct part of his work. Through the opportunities of this priesthood, men and women in partnership with God can conduct the work of the family and the Church."

Aaronic Priesthood
"Young men twelve to eighteen years of age, and older men who are new converts, are ordained to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood, "which holds the keys [governing or delegating authority] of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins" (D&C 13)."

General Authorities
"General Authorities are men called to serve at the highest levels of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As general priesthood officers of the Church, they have Churchwide rather than local stewardship and may receive assignments anywhere in the world. In order of precedence, the General Authorities include the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, quorums of the seventy, and Presiding Bishopric (see Organization)."

President of the Church
"The President of the Church is the prophet, seer, and revelator who is authorized to direct the affairs of the Church throughout the earth. He speaks and acts under divine guidance from Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church."

First Presidency
"The First Presidency is the governing body of and highest ranking quorum in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its authority, duties, and responsibilities extend over every person and all matters in the Church."

The Priesthood Quorum
In October 1998 General Conference, Elder D. Todd Christofferson explains the purpose and importance of priesthood quorums.

"By What Power . . . Have Ye Done This?"
In October 1998 General Conference, President James E. Faust discusses the power of the priesthood.

Area Presidency
"An area presidency consists of a president and two counselors who provide spiritual guidance and administrative direction to leaders and members of the Church in their area.

 

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Twelve men ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood office of apostle constitute the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest presiding quorum in the government of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Each week the two presiding quorums of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meet jointly as the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Meeting in a room in the Salt Lake Temple, this council discusses and decides all major Church appointments and policy matters."

Presiding Bishopric
"Since its formation, the Presiding Bishopric has been responsible for many of the temporal affairs of the Church."

Succession in the Presidency
"Upon the death of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the senior apostle in the Church's governing quorums becomes presiding officer of the Church."

Stake President, Stake Presidency
"The Church officer who presides over several wards (congregations) that comprise a stake is the stake president."

Bishopric
"The bishopric, consisting of the bishop and two counselors, is the presiding or governing council in a ward (congregation). These three men oversee all Church programs in the ward. They are assisted in the clerical, financial, and other administrative work by an executive secretary, a ward clerk, and assistant clerks as needed."

High Council
"A high council is a body of twelve high priests who are called and set apart in each stake to assist and advise the stake presidency under whom they serve."

Mission Presidents
"In the Church being a mission president is regarded as a challenging and exhilarating spiritual assignment, a link of fellowship with the Master.

Assistants to the Twelve
"As General Authorities, Assistants to the Twelve had the authority to minister throughout the Church and to fulfill assignments as directed by the Quorum of the Twelve.

Power of the Priesthood
President James E. Faust discusses the responsibilities incumbent upon priesthood holders.

Why can't women be ordained to the priesthood?
W. John Walsh and Jenny Scoville Walsh address this question as well as the issue of unrighteous dominion.

Honoring the Priesthood
"Priesthood isn't something we take off during the week and put on for Sunday. It is a 24-7 privilege and blessing--that is, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." Bishop H. David Burton