Priesthood: The power and authority from God to assist in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
- Power: Ability to perform miracles by divine means.
- Authority: Delegated right to act for God.
Name of the priesthood: The Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. (D&C 107:3)
A true priest always leads people to find the living Christ for themselves and to live by His light.
Priestcraft: Setting oneself up as a light unto the world for praise or gain. (2 Nephi 26:29)
Functions of the true priesthood:
- Preach a binding witness of Christ upon people’s souls.
- Administer the ordinances of salvation in the New and Everlasting Covenant of Jesus Christ.
- Judge persons as to their worthiness to partake of the ordinances in the New and Everlasting Covenant of Jesus Christ.
- Order and organize the Church of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth. (The Church and families.)
- Perform miracles to further the work of Jesus Christ.
Priesthood performance: To receive the Holy Priesthood is to receive a designated duty or duties to perform in the kingdom of Jesus Christ which can only be fulfilled by the true power and authority of Jesus Christ. Honorably to fulfill such duties is worthy priesthood performance. Receiving the priesthood is not an honor, but much more than an honor: it is a responsibility to produce worthy priesthood performance.
Priesthood proven: A bearer of the Holy Priesthood is priesthood proven when he has shown that he can be trusted to fulfill any and every priesthood assignment. This is only done by achieving a series of worthy priesthood performances.
Worldly authority: Dominion is exercised from the top down.
Divine authority: Righteous dominion means that one is appointed by God to preside over others and thus becomes their servant. This dominion is exercised only from the bottom up.
There are three steps to receive the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood:
- To have the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred and to be ordained to an office in that priesthood.
- To receive one’s endowments in the holy temple.
- To be sealed (married) in the holy temple for time and eternity.
How to use the Holy Priesthood: D&C 121:34–46.