The Priesthood

            

                The priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God’s name for the salvation of his children. Through this priesthood power we are able to receive the ordinances of salvation as well as blessings of healing, comfort, and counsel. The priesthood power can ONLY be used in righteousness, love, and patience. 

The church of Jesus Christ is led by Jesus Christ himself through Apostles and Prophets. These men are called of God and given the priesthood. Anciently Christ gave his Apostles this power to act in his name but was lost after rejection of the gospel and was killed. Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 

Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery restored this Priesthood power when John the Baptist appeared to them. He laid his hands on their heads and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood which every Worthy Man 12 and older may receive to administer ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament. (See D&C13) Shortly after John appeared to them Peter, James, and John Three of Christ original Apostles laid their hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery heads and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood (See D&C 27:12-13) Members of the church receive many spiritual and temporal blessings such as Confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, anoint the sick, give blessings of healing, comfort and counsel.

Any man can receive the priesthood authority only by proper ordination by the laying on of hands by one who has the authority. For example I hold the Melchizedek Priesthood as an elder and I received it from my father. Here is my line of Authority which can be traced all the way back to the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

Line of Priesthood Authority

Nathaniel E Dandridge was ordained an Elder 22 August 2010

By

Newell E Dandridge who was ordained a High Priest 7 September, 1997

By

Willie E Dandridge who was ordained a High Priest 2 February 1990

By

Moroni McElhaney who was ordained a High Priest and Bishop on 12 December 1971

By

Boyd K. Packer who was ordained an Apostle 9 April 1970

By

Joseph Fielding Smith who was ordained an Apostle 7 April 1910

By

Joseph F. Smith who was ordained an Apostle 1 July 1866

By

Brigham Young who was ordained an Apostle on 14 February 1835

Under the hands of the Three Witnesses-

Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris who

Were called by revelation to call Twelve Apostles and on

14 February 1835 were

“Blessed by the laying on of hands of the Presidency,”

Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G Williams to ordain the Twelve Apostles.

(See history of the Church. Vol. 2 pp. 185-189).

Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery received the

Melchizedek Priesthood in 1829 under the hands of

Peter, James and John.

Peter, James and John were ordained Apostles

By

The Lord Jesus Christ.

A short story I would like to share about the Power of the Priesthood. It was about 9 Months ago I was playing basketball with some members of our ward and my companion was guarding me and we both jumped up to get the rebound and well his pinky went right into my eye. When we went home I showered took some meds and took a quit nap with ice on my eye. I woke up and had some blood coming out of my eye I knew then something was wrong even if everything look fine. Called a member in our ward who was a doctor and he said there was 1/4 scratch across my cornea which wasn’t good at all. He went and got me some meds and before he left to go home I asked him and my companion at the time to give me a blessing of healing. After that he said to come visit him in his office to see if it was infected at all. So 2 days past and he looks in my eye and said elder it was your right eye right? Yes?! Why? There’s nothing there! This should have taken at least two week to heal! Not two days! Well Brother the power of the priesthood works! I am grateful for that faith building time in my life I know that the Priesthood is real I know it blesses us and all people it can change lives and it can help us make right choses. The Priesthood has helped me in lots of ways and I can continue for 5 more pages about what it is and how it has blessed me in my life. If you want to learn more about it talk to the missionaries in your area they would be glad to teach you more and you can even go to the churches webs sites lds.org or Mormon.org and they can answer any question that you may have.