An outline for a lesson on What is the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood. This presentation was prepared for my 11-year-old Scouts.

1. What is the Priesthood?

2. What is the Priesthood?
• The priesthood is the eternal power and
authority of God.
• God gives priesthood authority to
worthy males so they can act in His
name for the salvation of His children.
• Priesthood blessings are available to
all.
• The exercise of priesthood authority is
governed by those who hold priesthood
keys.
• Any ordination to a priesthood office is
a call to lifelong service.
• One must be worthy in order to receive
and exercise priesthood power.
(True to the Faith, A Gospel Reference, p.124)

3. Which is the Priesthood?
A. The light being
emitted
B. The light bulb
C. The light
switch
D. The cables
carrying the
electricity
E. The electricity
itself or source
• In this diagram, which represents the priesthood?

4. Which is the Priesthood?
• Answer: All of the Above…depending on the
context
• When we use the word “priesthood” it could
mean A, B, C, D, or E

5. Which is the Priesthood?
A. Priesthood blessings in our
lives. Healing the sick,
Performing ordinances, etc.
B. The priesthood holder. Men
such as Apostles, Bishops,
Deacons, etc.
C. Priesthood keys. The power
to turn on and off the use of
the priesthood powers.
D. The conduit to Heavenly
power
E. God, the source of priesthood
power.
• In this diagram, the priesthood could be represented by

6. What is the Priesthood?
• “The priesthood is the power of
God delegated to man by which
man can act in the earth for the
salvation of the human family.”
– Bruce R. McConkie, Gospel Doctrine
p. 139-40.
• “By priesthood authority all
ordinances of the Church are
administered and received.”
– N. Eldon Tanner, “The Priesthood of
God,” Ensign, June 1973

7. What is the Priesthood?
• “When we [act] in the name of
the Lord, as holders of the
priesthood, we are doing it in
the name and in behalf of our
Heavenly Father. Priesthood
is the power by which our
Heavenly Father works
through men.”
– Harold B. Lee, in Conference
Report, Apr. 1973, 128; or Ensign,
July 1973, 98, emphasis added.

8. What is the Priesthood?
• Speaking to all priesthood bearers,
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
• “We are the Lord’s agents; we
represent him; he has given us
authority which empowers us to do all
that is necessary to save and exalt
ourselves as well as his other
children in the world.”
• “We are ambassadors of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Our commission is to
represent him. We are directed … to
do what he would do if he were
personally present.”
– Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 47; or
Ensign, June 1971, 49.

9. What is the Priesthood?
• “And no man taketh this honour
unto himself, but he that is called of
God, as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5:4.)
• “We believe that a man must be
called of God, by prophecy, and by
the laying on of hands, by those
who are in authority to preach the
Gospel and administer in the
ordinances thereof.” (Art. of Faith 5)

10. Divisions of the Priesthood
• There are, in the church, two priesthoods,
namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic—
D&C 107: 1
Melchizedek
Priesthood
Aaronic
Priesthood

11. Divisions of the Priesthood
• D&C 107: 2 – 4
• “Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is
because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
• Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after
the Order of the Son of God.
• But out of respect or reverence to the name of the
Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of
his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that
priesthood after Melchizedek,
or the Melchizedek Priesthood.”

12. Divisions of the Priesthood
• D&C 107:13 - 14
• “The second priesthood is called the
Priesthood of Aaron, because it was
conferred upon Aaron and his seed,
throughout all their generations.
• Why it is called the lesser priesthood
is because it is an appendage to the
greater, or the Melchizedek
Priesthood, and has power in
administering outward ordinances.”

13. An Appendage to the Greater?
Appendage:
1. a part of something
larger or more
important
2. a subordinate or
derivative body part;
especially a limb
(Source: Merriam-Webster)

14. Aaronic Priesthood Restoration
• May 15, 1829
• Banks of the Sesquehanna River
• The resurrected John the Baptist
laid his hands on Joseph Smith
and Oliver Cowdery
• “Upon you my fellow servants, in
the name of Messiah I confer the
Priesthood of Aaron, which holds
the keys of the ministering of
angels, and of the gospel of
repentance, and of baptism by
immersion for the remission of
sins.”—D&C 13:1

15. Offices of Aaronic Priesthood
• Deacon = Age 12
– Pass sacrament
– Collect fast offerings
• Teacher = Age 14
– Prepare Sacrament
– Home teaching
• Priest = Age 16
– Bless sacrament
– Baptize
• Bishop, a high priest who is president
of the Aaronic Priesthood in a ward

16. The Preparatory Priesthood
As a priesthood holder serves in
the Aaronic Priesthood, he
prepares to receive the
Melchizedek Priesthood, to
receive the blessings of the
temple, to serve a full-time
mission, to be a loving husband
and father, and to continue in
lifelong service to the Lord. (True to
the Faith, A Gospel Reference, p.4)

17. Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration
Joseph Smith recorded that
Peter, James, and John
conferred the Melchizedek
Priesthood on him and Oliver
Cowdery and ordained them
to be apostles and special
witnesses of Jesus Christ to
bear the keys of his kingdom
in these last days. (D&C
27:12-13)

18. Melchizedek Priesthood Offices
• Elder
• High Priest
• Patriarch
• Seventy
• Apostle

19. Principles of Righteousness
• “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected
with the powers of heaven, and …cannot be controlled
nor handled only [i.e. except] upon the principles of
righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is
true; but 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 when it is withdrawn, Amen to the
priesthood or the authority of that man.”
– D&C 121: 36-37

20. Oath & Covenant of Priesthood
• “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these
two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the
magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the
Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. …And
also all they who receive this priesthood receive
me, saith the Lord; …And he that receiveth me
receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my
Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore
all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
And this is according to the oath and covenant
which belongeth to the priesthood.”
• D&C 84: 33, 35, 37-39

21. What is the Priesthood?
• The End
• Questions?