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Mormon priesthood

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have a professional priesthood like the Roman Catholic and other Christian churches.

Priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. It can only be acquired by the laying on of hands by someone who has priestly authority.

The laying on of hands only confers priestly authority. Priestly power comes through living a worthy life.

The Church has two priesthoods, the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood

The Aaronic Priesthood

The Aaronic Priesthood is given to Mormon men aged between twelve and eighteen, and to older men who are new converts.

It's a preparatory stage of priesthood, during which boys or men learn more about their faith, both through formal teaching and prayer, and through service.

A worthy young man normally has the Aaronic Priesthood conferred on him at the age of twelve, and is ordained to the office of deacon.

If he proves worthy he is ordained to the office of teacher at the age of fourteen.

If he continues to be faithful he is ordained to the office of priest at the age of sixteen.

At each stage, the young man gains greater responsibility and authority.

The members of the Aaronic Priesthood assist the bishop in his service to the members of the ward (the congregation).

Perhaps the most visible work of the members of the Aaronic Priesthood is the preparation, blessing and distribution of the sacrament at sacrament meetings.

The Melchizedek Priesthood

Bishops and Stake Presidents have the authority to confer the Melchizedek Priesthood by the laying on of hands, but they can only do this by the common consent of the holders of the Priesthood in the community.

An individual ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood makes a contract (covenant) with God to honour and learn the priesthood duties, to obey God's commandments, to live by God's counsel, and to live an upright and virtuous life.

God, in return, promises that if the person keeps their side of the covenant he will receive eternal life, and be exalted to inherit all that God the Father has and will participate with God and Christ in their continual work.

Once they have received the Melchizedek Priesthood, men are ordained to an office in the priesthood which carries specific responsibilities. The first office is Elder.

Other offices include:

• High Priest
• Patriarch
• Seventy
• Apostle

The 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 organisational division of the Church.

The President of the Church holds all the keys of the Priesthood, and delegates his authority by giving the keys of particular offices to others as appropriate.

Discipline

A person can have the priesthood removed for serious sin. They can also be put on probation until their repentance is complete.

Find out more

• Senior leadership