=13. Orders and Offices in the Priesthood.=--The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes two orders of priesthood, the
lesser called the Aaronic, the greater known as the Melchizedek order.
_The Aaronic Priesthood_ is named after Aaron, who was given to Moses
as his mouth-piece, to act under his direction in the carrying out of
God's purposes respecting Israel.[624] For this reason, it is
sometimes called the Lesser Priesthood; but though lesser, it is
neither small nor insignificant. While Israel journeyed in the
wilderness, Aaron and his sons were called by prophecy and set apart
for the duties of the priest's office.[625]
[624] Exo. iv, 14-16.
[625] Exo. xxviii, 1.
=14.= At a subsequent period of Israel's history, the Lord chose the
tribe of Levi to assist Aaron in the priestly functions, the special
duties of the Levites being to keep the instruments and attend to the
service of the tabernacle. The Levites thus chosen of the Lord were to
take the place of the first-born throughout the tribes, whom the Lord
had claimed for His service from the time of the last dread plague in
Egypt, whereby the first-born in every Egyptian house was slain, while
the eldest in every Israelitish house was hallowed and spared.[626]
The commission thus given to the Levites is sometimes called the
_Levitical Priesthood_;[627] it is to be regarded as an appendage to
the priesthood of Aaron, not comprising the highest priestly powers.
The Aaronic Priesthood, as restored to the earth in this dispensation,
comprises the Levitical order.[628] This priesthood holds the keys of
the ministering of angels, and the authority to attend to the outward
ordinances, the letter of the gospel;[629] it comprises the offices of
deacon, teacher, and priest, with the bishopric holding the keys of
presidency.
[626] Numb. iii, 12-13, 39, 44-45, 50-51.
[627] Heb. vii, 11.
[628] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 1.
[629] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 20.
=15.= The greater or _Melchizedek Priesthood_ is named after the king
of Salem, a great High Priest of God;[630] before his day it was known
as "the Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, but out of
respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the
too frequent repetition of His name, they, the Church, in ancient
days, called that Priesthood after Melchizedek."[631] This priesthood
holds the right of presidency in all the offices of the Church; its
special functions lie in the administration of spiritual things:
comprising as it does the keys of all spiritual blessings of the
Church, the right "to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune
with the general assembly and Church of the First Born, and to enjoy
the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator
of the new covenant."[632] The special offices of the Melchizedek
Priesthood are those of apostle, patriarch or evangelist, high priest,
seventy, and elder. Revelation from God has defined the duties
associated with each of these callings; and the same high authority
has directed the establishment of presiding officers growing out of,
or appointed from among those who are ordained to the several offices
in these two priesthoods.[633]
[630] Gen. xiv, 18; Heb. vii, 1-17.
[631] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 2-4.
[632] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 8, 18-19.
[633] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 21.
=16. Specific Duties in the Priesthood.--The Office of Deacon= is the
first or lowest in the Aaronic Priesthood. The duties of this calling
are generally of a temporal nature, pertaining to the care of the
houses of worship and the comfort of the worshipers. In all things,
however, the Deacon may be called to assist the Teacher in his
labors.[634] Twelve deacons form a quorum;[635] such a body is to be
presided over by a president and counselors, selected from among their
number.
[634] Doc. and Cov. xx, 57; cvii, 85.
[635] =Quorum.=--This term has acquired a special meaning among
the Latter-day Saints. It signifies, not alone a majority or such
a number of persons of any organized body as is requisite for
authoritative action, but the organized body itself. The Church
regards a quorum as "a council or an organized body of the
priesthood," e. g. _an elders' quorum; the quorum of the Twelve
Apostles_, etc. (See Standard Dictionary.)
=17. Teachers= are local officers, whose function it is to mingle with
the Saints, exhorting them to their duties, and strengthening the
Church by their constant ministry; they are to see that there is no
iniquity in the Church; that the members do not cherish ill-feelings
toward one another; but that all observe the law of God respecting
Church duties. They may take the lead of meetings when no Priest or
higher officer is present. Both Teachers and Deacons may preach the
word of God when properly directed so to do; but they have not the
power to independently officiate in any spiritual ordinances, such as
baptizing, administering the sacrament, or laying on of hands.[636]
Twenty-four Teachers constitute a quorum; from among such a body a
president and counselors are to be chosen.
[636] Doc. and Cov. xx, 53-59; cvii, 86.
=18. The Priests= are appointed to preach, teach, expound the
scripture, to baptize, to administer the sacrament, to visit the
houses of the members, exhorting them to diligence. When properly
directed, the Priest may ordain Deacons, Teachers, and other Priests;
and he may be called upon to assist the Elder in his work. A quorum of
Priests comprises forty-eight members; such an organization is to be
presided over by a Bishop.
=19. Elders= are empowered to officiate in any or all duties connected
with lower callings in the priesthood; and in addition, they may
ordain other Elders; confirm as members of the Church candidates who
have been properly baptized, and confer upon them the Holy Ghost.
These officers have authority to bless children in the Church, and to
take charge of all meetings, conducting the same as they are led by
the Holy Ghost.[637] The Elder may officiate in the stead of the High
Priest when the latter is not present. Ninety-six Elders form a
quorum; three of these constitute the presidency of the quorum.[638]
[637] Doc. and Cov. xx, 38-45, 70; cvii, 11-12.
[638] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 89.
=20. Seventies= are traveling ministers, ordained to promulgate the
Gospel among the nations of the earth, "unto the Gentiles first, and
also unto the Jews." They are to act under the direction of the
Apostles in this exalted labor.[639] A full quorum comprises seventy
members, including seven presidents.
[639] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 34-35, 97-98.
=21. High Priests= are ordained with power to officiate when properly
directed in all the ordinances and blessings of the Church. They may
travel as do the Seventies, carrying the Gospel to the nations; but
they are not specially charged with this duty, their specific calling
being that of standing presidency. The High Priests of any stake of
the Church may be organized into a quorum, and this without limit as
to number; over such a quorum, three of the members may be chosen to
preside, as president and counselors.[640]
[640] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 10; cxxiv, 134-135.
=22. Patriarchs=, or =Evangelists=, are charged with the special duty
of blessing the Church; of course they have authority to officiate
also in other ordinances. There is one "Patriarch to the Church," with
general jurisdiction throughout the whole organization; he holds the
keys of the patriarchal office, and unto him the promise is given
"that whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses shall
be cursed, that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven, and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven."[641]
[641] Doc. and Cov. cxxiv, 92-93.
=23.= Concerning the patriarchal authority, the Lord has said: "The
order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father
to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen
seed to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the
days of Adam, and came down by lineage."[642] But, beside this office
of general patriarchal power, there are a number of local Patriarchs
appointed in the branches of the Church, all subject to counsel and
direction at the hands of the "Patriarch to the Church;" yet
possessing the same privileges in their district as belong to him
throughout the Church. It is made a duty of the Twelve Apostles to
ordain evangelical ministers, or Patriarchs, in all large branches of
the Church, the selection to be made through the power of
revelation.[643]
[642] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 40-57.
[643] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 39.
=24. Apostles= are called to be special witnesses of the name of
Christ in all the world;[644] they are empowered to build up and
organize the branches of the Church; and may officiate in any or all
of the sacred ordinances. They are to travel among the Saints,
regulating the affairs of the Church wherever they go, but
particularly where there is no complete local organization. They are
authorized to ordain Patriarchs and other officers in the priesthood,
as they may be directed by the Spirit of God.[645]
[644] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 23.
[645] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 39, 58; xx, 38-44.
=25. Presidency and Quorum Organizations.=--The revealed word of God
has provided for the establishment of presiding officers "growing out
of, or appointed from among those who are ordained to the several
offices in these two priesthoods."[646] In accordance with the
prevailing principles of order so characteristic of all His work, the
Lord has directed that the bearers of His priesthood shall be
organized into quorums, the better to aid them in learning the duties
of their stations. Some of these quorums are general in extent and
authority; others are local in their jurisdiction. All quorums in
authority and all presiding officers are to be sustained in their
several positions by the vote of the people over whom they are
appointed to preside. Local officers are thus voted upon by the local
organizations, general authorities by the Church in conference
assembled. Conferences of the Church are held at semi-annual
intervals, on which occasions the names of all the general officers
are submitted for the vote of the people. In like manner the
authorities of stakes and wards are sustained by vote at local
conferences held for these and other purposes. The principle of common
consent is thus observed in all the organizations of the Church.
[646] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 21.
=26. The First Presidency= constitutes the presiding quorum of the
Church. By Divine direction, a president is appointed from among the
members of the High Priesthood to preside over the entire Church. He
is known as President of the High Priesthood of the Church, or
Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the Church.[647] He
is called "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."[648] His station is compared by the Lord to that of Moses of
old, who stood as the mouth-piece of God unto Israel. In his exalted
labors among the Church, this Presiding High Priest is assisted by two
others holding the same priesthood, and these three High Priests, when
properly appointed and ordained, and upheld by the confidence, faith,
and prayers of the Church, "form a quorum of the Presidency of the
Church."[649]
[647] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 64-68.
[648] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 91-92.
[649] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 22.
=27. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.=--Twelve men holding the
apostleship, properly organized, constitute the quorum of the
Apostles. These the Lord has designated as the twelve traveling
counselors;[650] they form the traveling presiding High Council, to
officiate under the direction of the First Presidency in all parts of
the world. They constitute a quorum, whose unanimous decisions are
equally binding in power and authority with those of the First
Presidency of the Church.[651] When the quorum of the First Presidency
is disorganized through the death or disability of the President, the
directing authority in government reverts at once to the quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, by whom the nomination to the Presidency is made.
There may be apostles in the Church who are not members of this quorum
of Twelve; but such have no place in the sittings of the quorum.
[650] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 23, 33.
[651] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 24.
=28. The Presiding Quorum of Seventy.=--The first quorum of Seventies
form a body whose unanimous decisions are equally binding with those
of the Twelve Apostles. Many quorums of Seventies may be required in
the work of the Church; already there have been effected approximately
two hundred of such organizations; each quorum is presided over by
seven presidents. The seven presidents of the First Quorum of
Seventies, however, preside over all the other quorums and their
presidents.[652]
[652] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 25-26, 34, 93-97.
=29. The Presiding Bishopric=, as at present constituted, comprises
the Presiding Bishop of the Church, and two Counselors. This quorum
holds jurisdiction over the duties of other Bishops in the Church, and
of all organizations pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood. The oldest
living representative among the sons of Aaron is entitled to this
office of presidency, provided he be in all respects worthy and
qualified; he must be designated and ordained by the First Presidency
of the Church.[653] If such a literal descendant of Aaron be found and
ordained, he may act without counselors, except when he sits in
judgment in a trial of one of the presidents of the High Priesthood,
in which case he is to be assisted by twelve High Priests.[654] But in
the absence of any direct descendant of Aaron properly qualified, a
High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood may be called and set apart
by the First Presidency of the Church to the office of Presiding
Bishop; he is to be assisted by two other High Priests properly
ordained as his counselors.[655]
[653] Doc. and Cov. lxviii, 18-20.
[654] Doc. and Cov. cvii, 82-83.
[655] Doc. and Cov. lxviii, 19.
=30. Local Organizations of the Priesthood.=--Where the Saints are
permanently located Stakes of Zion are organized, each Stake
comprising a number of wards or branches. Over each Stake is placed a
_Stake Presidency_, consisting of a president and two counselors, who
are High Priests properly chosen and set apart to this office. The
Stake Presidency is assisted in judicial function by a _Standing High
Council_, composed of twelve High Priests chosen and ordained to the
office. This Council is presided over by the Stake Presidency, and
forms the highest judicial tribunal of the Stake.
=31.= The presidents of stakes and bishops of wards are properly
regarded as pastors to the fold; their duties are doubtless analogous
to those of the pastors of former dispensations. The High Priests and
the Elders in each Stake are organized into quorums as already
described; the former without limitation as to number, the latter
forming one or more quorums, each of ninety-six members, as their
number may warrant. _Patriarchs_ are also set apart to officiate in
their holy office among the people of the Stake.
=32. A Ward Bishopric= is established in every fully organized Ward of
the Church. This body consists usually of three High Priests set apart
as a Bishop and Counselors. If, however, a literal descendant of Aaron
be called to the bishopric, it is his privilege to act without
counselors, as was stated in the case of the Presiding Bishop. The
Bishop has jurisdiction over the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood in
his Ward, and also over holders of the Higher Priesthood as members of
his Ward; but he has no direct presidency over quorums of the
Melchizedek order, as such, which may be embraced within his domain.
As a presiding High Priest, he properly presides over his entire Ward.
The ward organization comprises quorums of Priests, Teachers, and
Deacons, one or more of each as the numerical extent of the Ward may
determine.
=33. Helps in Government.=--Beside these constituted authorities and
offices in the priesthood, there are a number of secondary or special
organizations established among the people for educational and
benevolent purposes. Among these, the following are of such importance
as to call for special mention.
(1.) _Primary Associations._--These provide for the moral instruction
and training of young children.
(2.) _Mutual Improvement Associations._--These comprise separate
organizations for the sexes, and are designed for the education and
training of the youth, in subjects of general and theological
interest. Instruction is provided in theology, literature and history,
science and art, the laws of health, and numerous other branches of
useful knowledge.
(3.) _Sunday Schools_ comprise graded classes for the study of the
scriptures, and for training in theology, in moral and religious
duties, and in the discipline of the Church. Sunday schools, while
primarily designed for the young, are open to all.
(4.) _Church Schools._--These institutions provide for both secular
and religious instruction, and range from the grade of the
kindergarten to that of the college.
(5.) _Religion Classes._--In these is provided a course of graded
instruction in theology and religion, which is offered as a supplement
and complement to the purely secular teachings of the non-denominational
schools.
(6.) _Relief Societies._--These are composed of women whose
self-imposed duties relate to the care of the poor, and the relief of
suffering among the afflicted.
=34.= Most of these auxiliary organizations exist in each ward.
Indeed, with the exception of Church Schools, which usually rank as
stake institutions, or even as of wider scope, all of the secondary
organizations named are regarded as essential to the complete
equipment of any ward. Officers are appointed to preside over the
several organizations in each ward; and while such officers are
subject in a general way to the local authorities in the priesthood,
they look for specific instructions regarding the plan and method of
their particular work, to the stake and general authorities of the
special organizations. In accordance with the principle of common
consent which characterizes the Church in general, the officers of the
auxiliary institutions, while they are nominated by, or at least with
the consent of the established authorities in the priesthood, are
installed and retained in office by the vote of the members in the
local or general organization within which they are appointed to
labor.