The document provides information about helping prospective elders prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. It outlines 5 lessons for the elders quorum presidency to teach prospective elders before and after their ordination. The lessons cover priesthood principles, the oath and covenant of the priesthood, the duties of an elder, the purposes of priesthood ordinances and how to perform them, and how men and women work together in God's work. It also provides details about when instruction may occur and when a prospective elder is ordained.

1. Help Ordain Prospective
Elders (HOPE)
Pres. Paul Michael Porpor

2. WHAT ARE PROSPECTIVE ELDERS?
According to General Handbook 8.4
- A prospective elder is a male Church member
who has not received the Melchizedek Priesthood and
(1) is 19 or older or (2) is younger than 19 and married.

3. WHY DO WE ORDAIN PROSPECTIVE ELDERS?
Helping prospective elders prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood
is one of the quorum presidency highest priorities.
The presidency gives prospective elders opportunities to serve and share
their strengths. Dedicated ministering brothers should be assigned to
prospective elders.

4. WHAT THE EQ PRESIDENCY SHOULD TEACH PROSPECTIVE ELDERS:
1. The oath and covenant of the priesthood (see Doctrine and Covenants
84:33–44)
2. The duties of an elder, including the duty to minister. Prospective elders
who are teachers or priests can serve as ministering brothers. (see Doctrine
and Covenants 20:38–45; 42:44; 107:11–12
3. The purposes of priesthood ordinances and blessings and how to perform
them
4. How men and women work together to accomplish God’s work.

5. PROPOSED 5 LESSONS FOR OUR PROSPECTIVE ELDERS
To be Taught Before Ordination:
Lesson 1 : Priesthood Principles
Lesson 2: The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
Lesson 3: Duties of An Elder
To be Taught After Ordination:
Lesson 4: The Purpose of Priesthood Ordinances and Blessing and How
to Perform Them
Lesson 5: How Men and Women Work Together to Accomplish God’s
Work

6. Lesson 1 : Priesthood Principles
PURPOSE: To increase understanding of the Priesthood and how it helps accomplish
His work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only organization on earth
with priesthood authority. The Prophet Joseph Smith received the Aaronic
Priesthood and its keys from John the Baptist (see Doctrine and Covenants 13:1). He
received the Melchizedek Priesthood and its keys from the Apostles Peter, James, and
John (see Doctrine and Covenants 27:12–13).” (See GH 3.1)

7. Lesson 2: The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
PURPOSE: To gain a deeper understanding of the Oath and
Covenant of the Priesthood pursuant to one’s sacred
responsibilities within an eternal home with spouse and children
and in Church.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44
“The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the
powers of heaven, and . . . the powers of heaven cannot be controlled
nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness” (D&C 121:36).

8. Lesson 3: Duties of an Elder
PURPOSE: To increase understanding of the concept of
PRIESTHOOD DUTY, and how it applies to magnifying duties
associated with the office of Elder.

9. Lesson 3: Duties of an Elder
“Only an elder! Only the office which enables a man to enter the new
and everlasting covenant of marriage and to have his wife and children
bound to him with an everlasting tie; only the office which prepares a
man to be a natural patriarch to his posterity and to hold dominion in
the house of Israel forever; only the office required for the receipt of the
fullness of the blessings in the house of the Lord; only the office which
opens the door to eternal exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial
world, where man becomes as God is. – Elder Bruce R. McConkie, from
an address delivered at the Regional Representatives seminar, October
3, 1974.
“Brethren, let us learn our duty. Let us, in the performance of our duty,
follow in the footsteps of the Master.” – President Thomas S. Monson

10. Lesson 4: The Purposes of Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings
and How to Perform Them
PURPOSE: To increase understanding of the priesthood ordinances and
blessings, and how to perform them in the Lord’s way.
“Ordinances and blessings are sacred acts performed by the authority of the
priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ. As priesthood holders perform
ordinances and blessings, they follow the Savior’s example of blessing others.
Priesthood ordinances and blessings provide access to God’s power (see
Doctrine and Covenants 84:20).”

11. Lesson 5: How Men and Women Work Together to Accomplish
God’s Work
PURPOSE: To gain a better understanding of how men and women in the
Church work together to accomplish God’s work of salvation and exaltation
“The most effective way to fulfill our divine potential is to work together,
blessed by the power and authority of the priesthood.” President Jean B.
Bingham, Relief Society General President, April 2021

12. WHEN COULD THE INSTRUCTION OCCUR?
This instruction may occur individually or in a class held outside
of regular Sunday meetings.

13. WHEN IS A PROSPECTIVE ELDER ORDAINED?
As soon as the bishop and stake president determine that a prospective elder is
prepared and worthy, he may be ordained an elder in the Melchizedek
Priesthood.

14. Ordinances and Blessings

15. Performing Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings
Ordinances and blessings are sacred acts performed by the authority of the
priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ. As priesthood holders perform
ordinances and blessings, they follow the Savior’s example of blessing others.
Priesthood ordinances and blessings provide access to God’s power (see Doctrine
and Covenants 84:20).
Ordinances and blessings are to be performed with faith in Heavenly Father and
Jesus Christ and according to the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Leaders ensure that
they are performed with proper approval (where necessary), with the required
priesthood authority, in the proper way, and by worthy participants (see 18.3).

16. Ordinances of Salvation and Exaltation (Gen 18.1)
The priesthood includes the authority to administer gospel ordinances that are necessary
for salvation and exaltation. People make sacred covenants with God as they receive these
ordinances. The ordinances of salvation and exaltation are listed below:
● Baptism
● Confirmation and gift of the Holy Ghost
● Conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordination to an office (for men)
● Temple endowment
● Temple sealing

17. Other Ordinances and Blessings
Other ordinances and blessings make it possible for God’s children to receive His power,
healing, comfort, and guidance. These ordinances and blessings are listed below:
● Naming and blessing children
● The sacrament
● Conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood and ordination to an office (for young men and
men)
● Setting apart members to serve in callings
● Consecrating oil
● Administering to the sick
● Blessings of comfort and counsel, including father’s blessings
● Dedicating homes
● Dedicating graves
● Patriarchal blessings by ordained patriarchs

18. Some Blessings/ Ordinances

19. Naming and Blessing Children
Under the direction of the bishopric, Melchizedek Priesthood holders gather
in a circle to name and bless a child. They place their hands under a baby, or
they place their hands lightly on an older child’s head. Then the one acting as
voice:
1. Addresses Heavenly Father as in prayer.
2. States that the blessing is being performed by the authority of the
Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Gives the child a name.
4. Addresses the child.
5. Gives a blessing to the child as guided by the Spirit.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

20. Baptism
To perform the ordinance of baptism, a priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder:
1. Stands in the water with the person being baptized.
2. Holds the person’s right wrist with his left hand (for convenience and safety).
The person being baptized holds the priesthood holder’s left wrist with his or
her left hand.
3. Raises his right arm to the square.
4. States the person’s full name and says, “Having been commissioned of Jesus
Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:73).
5. Has the person hold his or her nose with the right hand (for convenience); then
places his right hand high on the person’s back and immerses the person
completely, including clothing. Immersion is easier if the person bends his or
her knees.
6. Helps the person to come up out of the water.

21. Confirmation and Gift of the Holy Ghost
Under the direction of the bishopric, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood
holders may participate in a confirmation. They place their hands lightly on the
person’s head. Then the one acting as voice:
1. Calls the person by his or her full name.
2. States that the ordinance is being performed by the authority of the
Melchizedek Priesthood
3. Confirms the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
4. States “receive the Holy Ghost” (not “receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”).
5. Gives words of blessing as guided by the Spirit.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

22. Ordaining to Priesthood Office
To confer the priesthood and ordain a person to a priesthood office, one or more
authorized priesthood holders place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then
the one acting as voice:
1. Calls the person by his full name.
2. States the authority he personally holds to perform the ordinance (either the
Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood).
3. Confers the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood, unless it has already been
conferred.
4. Ordains the person to an office in the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood and
bestows the rights, powers, and authority of that office. (Priesthood keys are
not bestowed when conferring the priesthood or ordaining to an office, except
when ordaining a bishop.)
5. Gives words of blessing as guided by the Spirit.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

23. Concentrating Oil
To consecrate the oil, a Melchizedek Priesthood holder:
1. Holds an open container of olive oil.
2. Addresses Heavenly Father as in prayer.
3. States that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. Consecrates the oil (not the container) and sets it apart for anointing and
blessing the sick and afflicted.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

24. Administering to the Sick
Administering to the sick has two parts: anointing with oil and sealing the
anointing.
Anointing with oil is done by one Melchizedek Priesthood holder. He:
1. Puts a drop of consecrated oil on the person’s head.
2. Places his hands lightly on the person’s head and calls the person by his or
her full name.
3. States that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. States that he is anointing with oil that has been consecrated for anointing
and blessing the sick and afflicted.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

25. Administering to the Sick
To seal the anointing, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their
hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the one who seals the anointing:
1. Calls the person by his or her full name.
2. States that he is sealing the anointing by the authority of the Melchizedek
Priesthood.
3. Gives words of blessing as guided by the Spirit.
4. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

26. Blessings of Comfort and Counsel, Including Father’s Blessings
To give a blessing of comfort and counsel or a father’s blessing, one or more
Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands lightly on the person’s head.
Then the one acting as voice:
1. Calls the person by his or her full name.
2. States that the blessing is being performed by the authority of the
Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Gives words of blessing, comfort, and counsel as guided by the Spirit.
4. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.