For this post, I will focus on the roles of the Aaronic Priesthood. I will list the different roles in order of highest authority to lowest authority.
The Aaronic Priesthood is considered a preparatory priesthood. This is because it is a priesthood that helps prepare a man to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. The Aaronic Priesthood’s focus is on the temporal (earthly, physical, mental, emotional, etc.) needs of others
Bishop –
·
Administer to the temporal needs of members of
his ward (local congregation of members of the church) and in certain cases
others who are not members
·
Be a judge in Israel
o
This refers to when a Bishop meets with members
of the church
§
A Bishop, when meeting with a member of the
church, counsels with him/her, gives advice, helps him/her to repent of sins,
helps him/her to get through trials/tough times, etc.
·
Do the business of the church
o
The Bishop is in charge of the giving aid to
members and non-members alike who ask for financial aid
o
Basically, the Bishop is the leader of the local
ward/congregation
Priest –
·
Preach the Gospel
·
Teach the doctrine/Gospel of Jesus Christ, such
as in a church meeting
o
Expound the doctrine/Gospel of Jesus Christ,
part of teaching. According to the Merriam-Webster
dictionary, to expound means “to explain by setting forth in careful and often
elaborate detail”
·
Exhort others to repent and follow the Gospel of
Jesus Christ
·
Baptize others as members of Christ’s church
·
Administer the sacrament (An ordinance where
members of the church/those who have already been baptized may eat bread and
drink water in order to receive forgiveness for their sins and renew their
covenants. This is instead of being
baptized after every sin.)
·
Visit the house of each member (this is what we call home
teaching). This involves:
o
Exhorting members to pray vocally and in secret
o
Exhorting members to attend to all family duties
·
A priest may ordain other priests, teachers, and
deacons
·
A priest is to take the lead of meetings when no
one holding the priesthood office of Elder is present
·
A priest is to assist those who hold the
priesthood office of Elder when necessary
·
A priest cannot do the following:
o
Give someone the Gift of the Holy Ghost (also
called the laying on of hands or to lay on hands)
Teacher –
·
Watch over the church:
o
Be with and strengthen members of the church
within his local ward
o
See that the following are not found within the
local ward:
§
Iniquity (evil, sin, etc.)
§
Hardness with each other (anger against each
other, gossiping, etc.)
§
Lying
§
Backbiting (this goes along with making sure
that there is no hardness with each other)
§
Evil speaking (this also goes along with making
sure that there is no hardness with each other)
o
See that the members of the local ward do the
following:
§
Meet together often (attend church every Sunday)
§
Do their duty (attend to and fulfill their
callings and other duties)
·
Take the lead of meetings in the absence of a
member of the church who holds the priesthood office of Elder or Priest
·
Receive assistance from members of the church
who hold the priesthood office of Deacon when necessary
·
A Teacher has similar duties to Priests such as:
o
Warn (this involves warning people of
sin/helping them to avoid sin, etc.)
o
Expound
o
Exhort
o
Teach
o
Invite all to come unto Christ
·
A Teacher cannot do the following:
o
Baptize
o
Administer the sacrament (give the blessing/read the prayer on
the Sacrament)
o
Give someone the Gift of the Holy Ghost
Deacon –
·
Has similar duties to the Priests and Teachers,
such as:
o
Warn
o
Expound
o
Exhort
o
Teach
o
Invite all to come unto Christ
·
A Deacon cannot do the following:
o
Baptize
o
Administer the sacrament (give the blessing on
the Sacrament)
o
Give someone the Gift of the Holy Ghost
o
Prepare the Sacrament (get it ready, set up the
table)
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