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Melchizedek Priesthood

Melchizedek: LDS Sources
As a king and high priest of the Most High God (Gen. 14:18), Melchizedek holds a place of great honor and respect among Latter-day Saints. An example of righteousness and the namesake of the higher priesthood, he represents the scriptural ideal of one who obtains the power of God through faith, repentance, and sacred ordinances, for the purpose of inspiring and blessing his fellow beings.

Melchizedek Priesthood Origins
A discussion of ancient texts mentioning Melchizedek

Melchizedek Priesthood Powers and Offices
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.

Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
Among the most important covenants is the oath and covenant of the priesthood, a set of mutual promises between God and those who receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood
To act for God in organizing his Church and administering all the ordinances, Joseph Smith received the Melchizedek Priesthood in the divinely established way

Apostle
President Brigham Young said, "The keys of the eternal Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God, are comprehended by being an Apostle. All the Priesthood, all the keys, all the gifts, all the endowments, and everything preparatory to entering into the presence of the Father and of the Son, are in, composed of, circumscribed by, or I might say incorporated within the circumference of, the Apostleship" (JD 1:134-35)

 

 

Seventy
Seventy is a priesthood office in the Melchizedek Priesthood reserved since 1986 for General Authorities called to assist the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the administration of the Church worldwide.

Elder
'Elder' is an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to which worthy male members may be ordained at the age of eighteen or older. The name elder is also used as a general title for all bearers of that priesthood, regardless of the specific priesthood office they hold (D&C 20:38; cf. 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 Jn. 1:1; 3 Jn. 1:1).

Patriarch
Each stake in the Church has at least one patriarch ordained, as the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, "for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints as it was with Jacob in giving his patriarchal blessing unto his sons" (WJS, p. 6). Age is not a factor, and the call, which is for voluntary service in giving patriarchal blessings to stake members, may come to any worthy, spiritually mature high priest.

High Priest
The term "high priest" refers to an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Men must be ordained high priests to serve as bishops, on high councils, or in stake presidencies, or as General Authorities.

Evangelist
I n an address on June 27, 1839, the Prophet Joseph Smith identified the office of evangelist as a patriarch, who as "the oldest man of the blood of Joseph or of the seed of Abraham" was to bless "the posterity of the Saints" as Jacob blessed his sons (TPJS, p. 151). This was the office of Patriarch to the Church

FIrst Council of the Seventy
The First Council of the Seventy, comprised of the first seven presidents of the First Quorum of Seventy, was organized on February 28, 1835, at Kirtland, Ohio, by Joseph Smith in response to revelation regarding the organization of priesthood offices. Later, when it was determined that five high priests had been ordained seventies, the First Council was reorganized in April 1837, using only priesthood members who were seventies (HC 2:476).