What Is the Priesthood in the LDS Church? Authority, Offices, and Women’s Role

The short answerGod’s authority, given to act in His name

For Latter-day Saints, the priesthood is the authority and power of God, given to people on earth to act in His name: to baptize, confirm, bless, seal families and lead His Church. It isn’t a professional clergy; it is held by ordinary members who serve without pay. The fifth Article of Faith states the principle: “a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority” (Articles of Faith 1:5).

The Bible says the same: “no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4). Latter-day Saints believe that authority was lost after the apostles died and restored to Joseph Smith in 1829 by heavenly messengers. See Priesthood Authority: Korah, Uzziah and Hebrews 5:4.

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Two priesthoods: Aaronic and Melchizedek“After the Order of the Son of God”

“There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic.” The greater is called Melchizedek “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 reverence, “to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name,” the Church called it after Melchizedek (D&C 107:1–4).

The Aaronic Priesthood was restored on May 15, 1829, when John the Baptist laid his hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery: “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). He said he “acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek,” which would “in due time be conferred” (Joseph Smith—History 1:72). Those three apostles then restored it.

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The Book of Mormon knew the same orderAlma 13 and 3 Nephi 11

Alma taught that “the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son,” so “the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption” (Alma 13:1–2). When the risen Christ visited the Americas, He did not leave baptism to anyone who wanted to perform it: “I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people” (3 Nephi 11:21–22). Authority matters to Him.

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What the priesthood is for“The power of godliness”

The higher priesthood “holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh” (D&C 84:19–21).

Its purpose is exaltation. The oath and covenant of the priesthood ends with the greatest promise in scripture: “he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him” (D&C 84:38). John saw the redeemed made “kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:6), and Joseph Smith taught in the King Follett sermon that we must learn “to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you … from exaltation to exaltation.” The priesthood is the Father’s own power, shared with His children so they can become like Him, always as His children and under Him. See Was God Once a Man?.

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How it may be usedPersuasion, not force

Priesthood is never a license to control people. “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). “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41). Its use is directed by keys, the same keys Christ gave Peter to bind on earth and in heaven (Matthew 16:19).

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Do women hold the priesthood?Ordination, and priesthood authority

Priesthood offices (deacon to apostle) are conferred on worthy men and young men. But women exercise priesthood authority too. President Dallin H. Oaks taught in “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood” (April 2014): “We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function.”

Women and men alike receive priesthood ordinances and blessings, and the highest of them, temple sealing, is given only to a husband and wife together. Peter told all believers, “ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

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Check the premiseThe presuppositions baked into the question

Before this question can be answered fairly, the person asking has to justify a few assumptions packed inside it:

1. That any sincere believer has authority to baptize. Hebrews 5:4 and Articles of Faith 1:5: authority comes by a call from God and the laying on of hands.
2. That priesthood means a paid clergy class. Latter-day Saint priesthood holders are lay members who serve without pay.
3. That priesthood means power over people. D&C 121:41 limits it to “persuasion … gentleness and meekness, and … love unfeigned.”
4. That women have no priesthood authority. President Oaks: a woman set apart in a calling “is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function.”

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FAQQuick answers

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Sources

• King James Bible (churchofjesuschrist.org): Matthew 16:19 · Hebrews 5:4 · 1 Peter 2:9 · Revelation 1:6
• Book of Mormon: Alma 13:1–2 · 3 Nephi 11:21–22
• Doctrine and Covenants: D&C 13:1 · D&C 84:19–38 · D&C 107:1–4 · D&C 121:36–42
• Pearl of Great Price: Joseph Smith—History 1:72 · Articles of Faith 1:5
• Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” general conference, April 2014
• Joseph Smith, King Follett sermon, History of the Church 6:305–306 (BYU Studies online edition)

• Featured image and in-article graphic: original graphics by thebookofmormon.ai (painterly backgrounds; no photographs or likenesses of real people).