Question

Dear Gramps,

Priesthood line of authority – questions and what-ifs:
1. When giving out a copy of your Melchizedek Priesthood line of authority to someone whom you have ordained as an Elder, is it correct to list the person who originally ordained you as an Elder, or should you list the person who ordained you to your current office in the Melchizedek Priesthood?

2. By which priesthood does a person act when a Melchizedek priesthood holder ordains someone to the Aaronic Priesthood? By this I mean should one say Aaronic or Melchizedek in the following: “John Smith, by the authority of the __________ Priesthood, I confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon you and ordain you to the office of Deacon.”

3. How about when ordaining someone to that special office in the Aaronic Priesthood of Bishop?

4. Can an Aaronic Priesthood holder confer the Aaronic Priesthood or ordain someone to an office within the Aaronic Priesthood?

5. Can an Elder ordain someone to the office of an Elder?

Ian

Answer

Dear Ian,

1. It is proper to maintain and to give to others when necessary the line of priesthood authority that you presently possess.

2. When a person ordains someone to the Aaronic priesthood he is acting by the authority that he currently possesses.

3. Bishops are ordained by or under the authority of one of the General Authorities of the Mormon Church. To do so they must hold the office of High Priest. Stake Presidents are normally authorized to ordain Bishops.

4. A priest in the Aaronic Priesthood is authorized to ordain other priests, teachers an deacons. See D&C 20:48.

5. Elders are authorized to ordain other Elders, as well as Priests, Teachers and Deacons. See D&C 20:38-39.

Gramps