all-encompassingly

This article on Mormonism was written by Pamela. It is one of a series of informational posts about perceived mysteries or secrets of the LDS Church. –Admin

Priesthood Organization

The sole purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”[1] In so doing, the priesthood must be upon the earth. “The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through his power He redeems and exalts His children.”[2]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Mormons] is governed by the priesthood of God. Male members of the Mormon Church, young and old may receive the priesthood beginning at the age of 12. However, they must first be found worthy by their respective bishop and they must be ordained by an authorized priesthood holder who confers the Priesthood on him and then ordains him to an office in that particular priesthood.

Priesthood in the Mormon Church is divided into two parts: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood. The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are elder, high priest, patriarch, seventy, and Apostle. The offices of the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and Bishop. The responsibilities of Priesthood holders varies depending on the office held. Those responsibilities can be: to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth.

In the Mormon Church, exercising the Priesthood righteously is expected of all Priesthood bearers. It is a sacred responsibility and one not to be taken lightly. “Any ordination to a priesthood office is a call to life-long service, with the promise that the Lord will qualify you to do His work according to your faithfulness.”[3] In order to receive and exercise the priesthood power, one must be worthy to receive it. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated that, “…the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” One holding the priesthood must live his life so that when he is called upon to exercise his priesthood authority, his life will be in order in which to do so. “When we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and then it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself.”[4]

For more information on the Mormon Church or its teachings please see the following websites:
Mormon Church
Priesthood of God

———Footnotes———
[1] “The Pearl of Great Price”, Moses 1:39
[2] “True to the Faith”, 2004, p.124
[3] “True to the Faith”, 2004, p.127
[4] Doctrine and Covenants 121:37-38