1. The Priesthood of the Church
D&C 20:38-67

2. Duties of the Priesthood
Mark all the verbs in
D&C 20:46, 59

3. Duties of the Priesthood
Preach
To deliver a sermon or religious address to an assembled group of people, typically in church.
Teach
To cause or help (someone) to learn about a subject by giving lessons
Expound
To teach something in greater detail
Exhort
To strongly encourage someone to do something
Warn
to urge or advise to be careful
Invite
To ask (someone) to Come Unto Christ

4. Duties of the Priesthood
Elders
Priests
Teachers and Deacons
D&C 20:38
D&C 20:46
D&C 20:53

5. Duties of the Priesthood
Elders
Priests
Teachers and Deacons
D&C 20:38–45
D&C 20:46–52
D&C 20:53–59

6. Duties of an Elder Elders D&C 20:38-45
Baptize and Confirm the Gift of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands
Ordain other Elders, Priest, Teachers and Deacons
Administer the Sacrament
Teach, Expound, Exhort, and watch of the church
Take lead in all meetings and conduct with the Holy Spirit

7. Melchizedek Why is it called the “Melchizedek” Priesthood? D&C 107:1-4
Melchi—King
Zedek—Righteousness
The City of Salem (Genesis 14)

8. Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant, 175
Melchizedek
“Surely no greater tribute or more generous adulation could be mentioned than to be so much like the Son of God that one’s name could be substituted for his in the title of the most powerful force in the universe --- the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God”
Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant, 175

9. History
Moses and Melchizedek priesthood taken from the earth in the Old Testament
The presiding officer of the Aaronic Priesthood was called the high priest (Ex. 28; 29).
Whenever the gospel in its fulness has been on earth, the Lord has called high priests to preside over His work.
except among certain faithful men.
The office was hereditary and came through the firstborn among the family of Aaron

10. History
In the Book of Mormon, Alma is first mentioned (see Mosiah 29:42, Alma 8:23; Alma 30:20–23).
During His mortal life, Jesus Christ was the presiding high priest on earth (see Heb. 3:1).
except among certain faithful men.
The office was hereditary and came through the firstborn among the family of Aaron

11. History
May 15, 1829: John the Baptist restores the Aaronic Priesthood.
June 1829: Peter, James and John restore the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Whenever the gospel in its fulness has been on earth, the Lord has called high priests to preside over His work.
except among certain faithful men.
The office was hereditary and came through the firstborn among the family of Aaron

12. Duties of a Priest Priests D&C 20:46-52
Teach, Expound, Exhort, Baptize
Administer the Sacrament
Visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
Ordain other Priests, Teachers and Deacons
Take lead in all meetings when there is no Elder present

13. Duties of Teachers and Deacons
Watch over the church continually and strengthen them
See that the church meet together often
To take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder or priest
They are to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
To see that there is no iniquity in the church (hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking)
See that all the members do their duty.

14. A Home Teaching Experience in Kirtland
In Kirtland, members of the priesthood were assigned to visit the homes of the Saints and teach them. D&C 20:54 was given about nine months before. William Cahoon recalled his experience as home teacher to the Prophet Joseph Smith’s family: I was called and ordained to act as a teacher to visit the families of the Saints. I found that I was obliged to call and pay a visit to the Prophet Joseph. Being young, only about seventeen years of age, I felt my weakness in visiting the Prophet and his family in the capacity of a teacher. I almost felt like shrinking from duty. Finally I went to the door and knocked, and in a minute the Prophet came to the door. I stood trembling, and said to him:

15. “Brother Joseph, I have come to visit you in the capacity of a teacher, if it is not convenient for you.” He said, “Brother William, come right in, I am glad to see you; sit down in that chair there and I will go and call my family in.” They soon came in and took seats. He then said, “Brother William, I submit myself and family into your hands,” and then took his seat. “Now Brother William,” said he “ask all the questions you feel like.” By this time all my fears and trembling had ceased, and I said, “Brother Joseph, are you trying to live your religion?” He answered “Yes.” I then said “Do you pray in your family?” He said “Yes.” Do you teach your family the principles of the gospel?” He replied “Yes, I am trying to do it.” “Do you ask a blessing on your food?” He answered “Yes.” “Are you trying to live in peace and harmony with all your family?” He said that he was.

16. I then turned to Sister Emma, his wife, and said “Sister Emma, are you trying to live your religion? Do you teach your children to obey their parents? Do you try to teach them to pray?” To all of these questions she answered “Yes, I am trying to do so.” I then turned to Joseph and said, “I am now through with my questions as a teacher.” He said “God bless you, Brother William, and if you are humble and faithful, you shall have power to settle all difficulties that may come to you in the capacity of a teacher.” I then left my parting blessing upon him and his family and took my departure. (Elder William Farrington Close, Juvenile Instructor 28 August 15, 1892: ).

17. Notice…
As Heavenly Father’s sons receive higher offices of the priesthood, they receive more responsibilities and opportunities to serve others.
As a priesthood holder is ordained to additional offices of the priesthood, he retains the lesser offices and their associated responsibilities.
All priesthood holders have the responsibility to perform ordinances and to watch over members of the Church and minister to them.

18. At All Times…
“If you are a priesthood holder, remember that the priesthood should be a part of you at all times and in all circumstances. It is not like a cloak that you can put on and take off at will.
“You must be worthy in order to receive and exercise priesthood power. The words you speak and your everyday behavior affect your ability to serve. Your behavior in public must be above reproach. Your behavior in private is even more important”
True to the Faith
“The purpose of priesthood authority is to give, to serve, to lift, to inspire”
Elder Richard G. Scott

19. Young Women
“Some may choose to serve missions, and they will someday have the privilege of being members of Relief Society, working alongside men who hold the priesthood to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need” Daughters in My Kingdom

20. Priesthood Power vs
Priesthood Authority

21. Authority
“Your authority comes through your ordination;

22. Power
“Your authority comes through your ordination; your power comes through obedience and worthiness. …
“Power in the priesthood comes from
doing your duty in ordinary things:
attending meetings, accepting assignments, reading the scriptures, keeping the Word of Wisdom”
Elder Boyd K. Packer

23. The Vote D&C 20:65 “What is meant by sustaining a person? …
…if a man be a teacher, and I vote that I will sustain him in his position, when he visits me in an official capacity I will welcome him and treat him with consideration, kindness and respect and if I need counsel I will ask it at his hand, and I will do everything I can to sustain him.
That would be proper and a principle of righteousness, and I would not say anything derogatory to his character. If that is not correct I have it yet to learn.
And then if anybody in my presence were to whisper something about him disparaging to his reputation, I would say, Look here! are you a Saint? Yes. Did you not hold up your hand to sustain him? Yes. Then why do you not do it? Now, I would call an action of that kind sustaining him.
If any man make an attack upon his reputation—for all men’s reputations are of importance to them—I would defend him in some such way.”
President John Taylor
D&C 20:65

24. The Priesthood of the Church
D&C 20:38-67