The Melchizedek Priesthood was originally called “The Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God”, but it was changed to the Melchizedek Priesthood because:
- Melchizedek was a great man who held this priesthood (“The Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God”)
- Out of respect to Jesus Christ, in an effort to not overuse His name
The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the authority to lead over all of the church
The Melchizedek Priesthood’s focus is on the spiritual needs of others
Doctrine and Covenants (a book of scripture in the Mormon church) Section 107 verses 18-19:
· Verse 18 – “The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church –“
· Verse 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”
High Priest –
· Have the right to officiate (take charge of, lead, direct) all of the church
· Administer in spiritual things (take care of spiritual needs)
· Also may officiate in all other priesthood offices
Elder –
· Administer in spiritual things (take care of spiritual needs)
· Also may officiate in all other priesthood offices except that of High Priest
The following priesthood offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are either High Priests or Elders; they are simply given different roles within the church.
Three Presiding High Priests (First Presidency of the Church) –
· President of the Church and his 2 counselors
· President of the Church is the current prophet, like Moses
o Doctrine and Covenants Section 107 verses 91 and 92:
§ Verse 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 –“
§ Verse 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.”
· Basically in charge of everything
· These three are also Apostles, like the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
· See the following section on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles –
· Doctrine and Covenants section 107 verse 23:
o “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.”
· Doctrine and Covenants section 107 verse 33:
o “officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven”
· Build up the church
· Regulate all the affairs of the church in all nations
· Sent out to open the door to proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world
· Call members of the quorums of the Seventy
· Ordain patriarchs
o Patriarchs give special blessings to individuals
o These blessings are meant to be guides for this life
· Doctrine and Covenants Section 107 verse 58:
o “to ordain and set in order all the other officers of the church”
Standing High Councils –
· Members of the church called to serve in their areas/stakes
· Doctrine and Covenants section 107 verse 36:
o “form a quorum equal in authority in the affairs of the church, in all their decisions, to the quorum of the presidency, or to the traveling high council.”
· Quorum of the Presidency = The First Presidency
· Traveling High Council = Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The Seventy –
· Preach the Gospel
· Doctrine and Covenants section 107 verse 25:
o “be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world – thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.”
o Gentiles are those who are not Jews
· Doctrine and Covenants section 107 verse 38:
o “fill the several calls for preaching and administering the gospel”
· There may be multiple quorums of the Seventy
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