Rational Theology by John A. Widtsoe

Author:John A. Widtsoe
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion

The Priesthood of the Church

The Priesthood of the Church differs vitally from that of churches composed only of fragments of the complete truth.

Priesthood Defined. The Church is composed of eternal, intelligent beings, moving onward in eternal progression, who have accepted God's plan of salvation. It is God's Church. The Lord directs the work of all his children on earth, and he naturally gives attention to the Church composed of his obedient children. Nevertheless, although the Lord is the directing intelligence, he is not here in person, nor are other superior beings sent to take direct charge of the work, for that would be contrary to the law that through his free agency and by self-effort, man on earth must move onward and upward. Therefore, that the earth-work may be done authoritatively, God has delegated to man the necessary authority to carry out the provisions of the Plan. Priesthood is the name given this authority. The body of the Priesthood consists of the men who have received this authority and who may act for God, on earth, in matters pertaining to the Church or themselves. Without authority from God, there can be no Priesthood.

Divisions of the Priesthood. Much and various work is to be done in the Church, for man's life is complex. Consequently, many and varied are the labors that must be directed and supported by the Priesthood. To accomplish this work well, there must be a division of labor-a fundamental characteristic of all orderly work.

There are two great divisions of the Priesthood, the Aaronic and Melchizedek, each of which possesses special authority. Each of these divisions is again sub-divided. These divisions and sub-divisions are all necessary for the complete exercise of the Priesthood in the Church.

One great division of the Priesthood of God, the Aaronic Priesthood, is named after Aaron, the brother of Moses, a famous leader in this Priesthood. It is the Lesser Priesthood, really only an appendage of the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood. To the Aaronic Priesthood is assigned, particularly, the temporal work of the Church, but it also has authority to preach, teach and baptize. The Melchizedek Priesthood, named after the great high priest Melchizedek, is the higher division of the Priesthood, and includes the Aaronic Priesthood. It holds the keys of spiritual authority and has the right to officiate under proper direction in all the affairs of the Church. The sub-divisions of the two divisions of the Priesthood make it possible to group, simply and properly, the duties of the members of the Church.

The Aaronic Priesthood. Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood belong to one of three ascending groups: deacon, teacher and priest. The bishop presides over the priests' quorum and is the presiding authority of the Aaronic Priesthood. Each group, in addition to its own special authority, may, when called upon by proper authority, exercise also the authority of the group below it. The members of the Aaronic Priesthood are organized in quorums of twelve deacons, twenty-four teachers and forty-eight priests. Each quorum is

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