PRIESTHOOD

God seeks to save mankind from sin by revealing the way in righteousness. He confers upon certain men the privilege of assisting him in this work. These we call members of the priesthood.

THE POWER OF PRIESTHOOD

President Joseph Smith III said: “Priesthood is but another name for authority and should mean an intervening power. The priesthood rightly considered signifies a body of men rightfully holding power to administer in the name of Jesus Christ for the conferring of spiritual blessings upon men.”-Saints’ Herald, Volume 24, page 168.

President Frederick M. Smith adds: “It (priesthood) is the right to represent God. It is divine authority placed at the disposal of man. It is the permission granted man to represent God.”-Priesthood Journal, Volume I, number 2, page 16.

Elder C. I. Carpenter suggests that priesthood signifies Authority given of God, acknowledged by the people to act as a mediator or minister, for both God and man in their converse with each other.”-Church History Quarterly, Lesson Three, Part I, page 19.

THE FUNCTION OF PRIESTHOOD

President Frederick M. Smith describes this as follows: “The function of the priest or members of the priesthood is to present the people to God, to lift them up towards him, and hence he must know the needs of the people, and must, because of his conscious appreciation of what priesthood means, ever strive to keep the way open to Divinity for the people.”-Priesthood Journal, Volume I, number 2, page 16.

According to President Edwards “The primary tasks of the ministry are to bring men to God and to represent God in conveying spiritual blessings to mankind.”-The Divine Purpose in US, F.H. Edwards.

Dr. F.M. McDowell lists the purpose of priesthood as follows:

To represent God authoritatively among men.

To reveal and interpret the will of God to men.

To officiate in the work of the church.

To govern in the affairs of the church.

To act as mediators between God and man.

To preach, teach, expound ,exhort.

To teach men, lead men, warn men, win men, to heal men, to inspire and encourage men.

In co-operation with God to build men for God and thus build the kingdom of God.

The twofold ministry of priesthood works for the development of the Saints, and the preaching of the gospel to friends, neighbors, and the world.

This ministry is not learned from books, schools, or classes, helpful though these may be. It is acquired in actual ministry to members and non-members of the church. It is a ministry calling for a quality of life and a proficiency to be achieved only by intelligent, painstaking, and persistent response to one’s opportunities and obligations; for it grows in one in power to serve in direct ratio to his activity in actual service to his people and to all people, as it does in ratio to his sustained efforts toward self-improvement. The function of this ministry is to lead all people in unfolding life and the achievement of the divine purpose in all the earth.

PRIESTHOOD IS ETERNAL

The following is furnished for your study. These will help you to understand that Priesthood is Eternal.

Hebrews 7:3, I.V.

Doctrine and Covenants 83:2

Genesis 6, I.V. and especially verse 7.

Charles Derry has said: “The priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years.”-Manual of the Priesthood, page 95.

STANDARDS OF THE PRIESTHOOD

The standards for Priesthood are many. I will list only a few:

An unswerving devotion and dedication by the minister is required to the divine purpose. His spiritual authority is sustained righteousness as an established way of living. It presumes a grateful compliance with all the law.

Fellowship within the priesthood without belittlement, envy, scorn, jealousy, disdain, or personal ambition should follow as a result of these conditions. This will win the support of the membership. The final condition is knowledge of the Standard Books of the church.

Competency to speak and act for God.

Ordination of itself does not qualify a man to act with full authority as a minister. It does not remedy defects of character, or an undisciplined life. It will not substitute for lack of education and training. It does not grant the privilege of acting independently of the authority of the church.

Priesthood authority provides “no power to contravene laws given for the good of all.” It has no power to place in jeopardy or destroy the people or their liberties.

PERSONAL STANDARDS

To have a living faith in God, in his Son Jesus Christ and in the divine mission of his church in these latter days.

To have a conviction of the divine call to minister to the church. This conviction may come through faith, inspiration, prayers, study, and service.

To have a righteous pride in good reputation, fine character, and cleanliness of mind and body and habits.

To have a desire to honor this priesthood through a study and appreciation of the Standard Books of the church.

To have a responsible record of attendance at all local services. To have a part in the support of the church through the annual filing of an inventory, the regular payment of tithing, and local church support.

To have a well planned cultivation of spiritual development through devotional exercises in private, in the home , and at the prayer meetings.

MISCELLANEOUS

Members of the Church should not only expect men of the Priesthood to uphold high standards in harmony with the Standard Books of the Church, but they themselves must seek the high standards that they expect the ministry to uphold. There is so much that could be written about Priesthood and Priesthood standards; however the commandment is that we search the scriptures. We must not expect to be “spoon fed” and accept everything that is spoken. We must pray for light and truth. Truth and light will come to all that make the search through Prayer and Fasting.

Because of His Commission,
Arthur Allen
Presiding Elder
Marlin Texas Branch
Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
February 1, 2010

NOTE:
Most of the above article was prompted and excerpts taken from The Priesthood Manual,
Herald House, Independence, Missouri, 1950