Priesthood begins with Jesus Christ. It is not religious influence, education, confidence, tradition, or a title someone gives himself.
We hold the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God today. Through this authority, we teach Christ’s doctrine, administer His ordinances, ordain, bless, and govern His work according to the order He established.
The Holy Priesthood Is Present in the Church Today
The Holy Priesthood is not only part of sacred history. Jesus Christ has restored that authority, and we serve through it today.
This is not authority created by the Church or symbolic permission granted by religious education. It belongs to Jesus Christ and is exercised through the calling, ordination, duties, and sacred order He has established.
It Is Received, Not Invented
Scripture does not treat priesthood as a role a man chooses because he feels suited to it. God calls, and authorized servants ordain. The Church recognizes a real stewardship with defined duties and accountability.
No man appoints himself to the Holy Priesthood. Authority is received through the order God established.
“No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”
Hebrews 5:4 ↗
It Exists Because Ordinances Belong to Christ
Baptism, confirmation, ordination, laying on of hands, blessings, and other sacred ordinances are not private religious performances. They belong to Jesus Christ and are administered through the authority He gives.
This is why authority matters even when everyone involved is sincere. The meaning of an ordinance rests in Christ’s covenant and the order He established, not only in human intention.
It Gives Responsibility, Not Ownership
A priesthood office carries a purpose, jurisdiction, and duty. Authority to teach or administer an ordinance does not give a priest ownership of another person’s conscience.
Priesthood gives order to the Church and makes those who hold it accountable to Jesus Christ for how they teach, bless, lead, and administer sacred things.
It Should Resemble the Lord Who Gave It
Jesus Christ used authority to serve, teach truth, bless, correct, heal, and gather. His priesthood exists for the same work.
A priest is not made spiritually important by ordination. He is given greater responsibility before the Lord.
“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.”
Matthew 20:26 ↗
Priesthood Requires Humility, Diligence, and Faithfulness
Ordination brings responsibility before God. The Book of Commandments joins priesthood power and authority directly to humility, diligence, and faithfulness.
The priesthood is holy because it belongs to Jesus Christ. Those who hold it are called to live and serve accordingly.
“This power and authority have been given by me, to the Holy Priesthood, contingent upon their humility, diligence, and faithfulness which they offer before me.”
The Book of Commandments 14:5 ↗