Introduction

The purpose of this blog is to develop a practical (well, maybe not that practical, but I'll do my best to make the concepts that I discuss actionable) theory or understanding of the priesthood for men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Based on this understanding of the priesthood, we will see how to act and serve and be motivated to act and serve within the priesthood as members of a priesthood quorum and as priesthood-holding fathers and husbands in our families. This article is motivated in large part by the church calling I currently hold in my ward of Elders’ Quorum president and is intended for any man who desires to gain a greater knowledge of the priesthood and how to minister with greater priesthood power. In November 2014, I attended a stake priesthood leadership meeting for my stake (the Columbus, Ohio Stake) where Elder Walter Selden was the visiting authority. He said that the purpose of a priesthood quorum is found in D&C 84:20-22:

20) Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21) And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22) For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

His comment was that the purpose of the priesthood quorum is to help each other “see the face of God”. Hearing that doctrine has also motivated my study into the topics that will be treated in this blog.

The first topic to understand is the definition of priesthood. Since the time of Joseph Smith, many LDS church leaders have given various definitions of priesthood. The scriptures also provide information on what the priesthood is. Through study and pondering, I have found that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young provided the best explanations of priesthood. John Taylor had some important things to add that Joseph and Brigham did not fully explain. Once I gained an understood of what the priesthood is, I found several scripture passages that refer to priesthood using any of several key words and concepts without using the actual word of ‘priesthood’. My hope is to bring all of this information together into a brief but motivating definition of priesthood. Then I will discuss the work of a priesthood holder, the work of a priesthood quorum and priesthood in the family.

Abbreviations for works cited include TPJS for Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Teachings: John Taylor for Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, DBY for Discourses of Brigham Young, and JD for Journal of Discourses.