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For information about the Priesthood as practiced in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, see Priesthood (Latter-day Saint).
In Mormonism, priesthood is considered to be (1) a power, or (2) an authority. As a power, priesthood includes the power to perform miracles. Mormons believe that the Biblical miracles performed by prophets and apostles were performed by the power of the priesthood, including the miracles of Jesus Christ, whom Mormons believe was "a priest forever ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 5:6), and thus that Jesus held the Melchizedek Priesthood.
As an authority, priesthood is considered to be the legitimizing stamp by which a person may perform ecclesiastical acts in the name of God, or to hold clerical positions in the church. Mormons believe that acts (and in particular, Ordinances) performed by one with the priesthood are recognized by God and are binding in heaven and in the afterlife. In addition, Mormons believe that leadership positions within the church are legitimized by the priesthood authority.
According to Mormon doctrine, to exercise priesthood power or authority, a person must (1) be called by God, (2) be ordained or endowed with priesthood power, and (3) receive the necessary "keys", either through ordination to an office or through delegation or setting apart.
Mormons believe that as a prerequisite to receiving the priesthood, a person must be called to the priesthood. When a person is called, it is the person's right or destiny to hold the priesthood, although that destiny is not inevitable. See Matthew 22 ("Many are called but few are chosen.") A person may be called (1) by prophesy, (2) by lineage, or (3) by foreordination. In addition, a person's calling through lineage or foreordination may be revealed by prophesy.
By far the most common form of calling to the priesthood is "by prophesy". In his Wentworth letter, Joseph Smith, Jr. stated, "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophesy . . . to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (See also Fifth Article of FaithArticles of faith are sets of doctrines or precepts, the belief in which is fundamental to the followers of a given religion and/or church. Formal examples can be found throughout Christian tradition. See creed. The Thirty-Nine Articles are the defining s.
In general, a person is called by prophesy when a person within the church hierarchy, who holds the priesthood, receives a revelation that someone should be called to the priesthood.
In some situations, Mormons believe that a person may also be called through their lineage, so that they have a "legal right" to a priesthood office. For example, Doctrine and CovenantsThe Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes referred to as D&C is a part of the open scriptural canon of Mormonism, together with the Bible and The Book of Mormon''. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), these three books, together wi 68:16-21 states, "And if they be literal descendants of Aaron, they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron." In addition, Joseph Smith believed in a Patriarchal Priesthood (or "Abrahamic" priesthood) that descended from father to son, and was held by Joseph Smith, Sr.Joseph Smith, Sr. July 12, 1771 September 14, 1840) was the father of Joseph Smith, Jr. the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith, Sr. was one of the first Patriarchs of the Church and one of the Eight Witnesses of the B See, e.g., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sec. 6, pp. 322-323. One who has the right and calling to hold these positions through lineage must still be ordained by the church hierarchy before officiating in the office.
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