Page:Pearl Of Great Price (1851).pdf/59

 The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchisedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the Church.

High Priests, after the order of the Melchisedek Priesthood, have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the Presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in the office of an Elder, Priest, (of the Levitical order,) Teacher, Deacon and member."

"The High Priest, and Elder, are to administer in spiritual things, agreeably to the covenants and commandments of the Church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the Church when there are no higher authorities present.

The second Priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. Why it is called the lesser Priesthood, is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchisedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. The Bishopric is the Presidency of this Priesthood, and holds the keys, or authority, of the same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this Priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. But as a High Priest, of the Melchisedek Priesthood, has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of Bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found; provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the Presidency of the Melchisedek Priesthood.

The power and authority of the higher or Melchisedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church—to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven—to have the heavens opened unto them—to commune with the General Assembly and Church of the First-born, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant.

The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances—the letter of the gospel—the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeably to the covenants and commandments,"

The Calling and Duties of the Twelve Apostles.

“The Twelve travelling counsellors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or especial witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world; thus differing from other officers in the Church in the duties of their calling.”

"The Twelve are a Travelling, Presiding, High Council; to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeably to the institution of heaven; to build up the Church, and regulate all the affairs of the same, in all nations: first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews."