Lift Up the Hands, by J. Kirk Richards

5

Priesthood Authority and Ordinances

5.0

Introduction

Priesthood is the authority God gives His children to bring salvation to all. Priesthood leaders who receive and exercise priesthood keys have priesthood authority and can give priesthood authority to others. Because “all other authorities [and] offices in the church are appendages to this [Melchizedek] priesthood” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:5), all that is done under the direction of priesthood keys is done with priesthood authority.

When a woman is set apart as a missionary, she acts under priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. Anyone with a calling received from someone holding priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.

If you are a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, you will have opportunities to participate in priesthood ordinances and blessings.

Use these general guidelines for performing priesthood ordinances and blessings. The information in this section is condensed from chapter 18 of General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Note: As explained in the following sections, some ordinances must be authorized by the presiding authority who holds the proper keys.

5.1

Administering in the Priesthood: General Guidelines for Melchizedek Priesthood Holders

Melchizedek Priesthood holders should always strive to be worthy of and guided by the Holy Spirit. They should perform each ordinance and blessing in a dignified manner, making sure that it meets the following requirements:

1. It should be performed in the name of Jesus Christ.

2. It should be performed by the authority of the priesthood.

3. It should be performed with any necessary procedures, such as using specified words or consecrated oil.

4. If necessary, it should be authorized by the presiding authority who holds the proper keys (normally the bishop, stake president, or mission president) according to the instructions in this section.

Those who give priesthood blessings speak words of blessing (“I [or we] bless you that …”) rather than saying a prayer (“Heavenly Father, please bless this person that …”).

When several men participate in an ordinance or blessing, each one places his right hand lightly on the person’s head (or under the baby being blessed) and his left hand on the shoulder of the brother to his left.

Only those who hold the necessary priesthood and are worthy may perform an ordinance or blessing. As guided by the Spirit, bishops and stake presidents can invite priesthood holders who are not fully temple worthy to perform or participate in some ordinances and blessings (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 18.3, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Inviting large numbers of family, friends, and leaders to assist in an ordinance or blessing is discouraged because it may appear strange to some. Too large of a group may also make it physically awkward to perform the ordinance.

5.2

Baptizing

Under the direction of the presiding authority, a worthy priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder may perform the ordinance of baptism. To do so, he should follow the accompanying steps:

1. He stands in the water with the person to be baptized.

2. He holds the person’s right wrist with his left hand (for convenience and safety). The person being baptized holds the priesthood holder’s left wrist with his or her left hand.

3. He raises his right arm to the square.

4. He states the person’s full name and says, “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:73).

5. He allows the person to hold his or her nose with the right hand (for convenience). The priesthood holder places his right hand high on the person’s back and immerses the person completely, including the person’s clothing.

6. He helps the person come up out of the water.

As described in General Handbook, 18.7.6, two witnesses make sure that each baptism is performed properly. The baptism must be repeated if the words are not spoken exactly as given in Doctrine and Covenants 20:73. The baptism would also need to be repeated if part of the person’s body or clothing does not go completely under the water.

5.3

Confirming

One or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may participate in a confirmation. They place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the person who performs the ordinance does the following:

1. He states the person’s full name.

2. He states that the ordinance is being performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

3. He confirms the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

4. He uses the words “Receive the Holy Ghost” (not “Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”).

5. He gives a blessing as the Spirit directs.

6. He closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

5.4

Consecrating Oil

One or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders must consecrate olive oil before it is used to anoint the sick or afflicted. No other oil may be used. To consecrate oil, a priesthood holder follows these steps:

1. He holds an open container of olive oil.

2. He addresses Heavenly Father.

3. He states that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

4. He consecrates the oil (not the container) and sets it apart for anointing and blessing the sick and afflicted.

5. He closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

5.5

Administering to the Sick and Afflicted

Jesus gave priesthood authority to His Apostles “to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3:15). Melchizedek Priesthood holders have the same authority. Use this gift appropriately and as often as needed.

Only Melchizedek Priesthood holders may administer to the sick or afflicted. Normally two or more priesthood holders administer to the sick together, but one may perform both the anointing and the sealing of the blessing alone if necessary.

If consecrated oil is not available, a blessing may be given by the authority of the priesthood without the anointing.

A worthy husband or father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood normally should administer to sick members of his family.

Priesthood holders should administer to the sick at the request of the sick person or of those who are very close to the person so that the blessing will be according to their faith. Melchizedek Priesthood holders who visit hospitals should not solicit opportunities to administer to the sick.

If a person requests more than one blessing for the same illness, the priesthood holder does not need to anoint with oil after the first blessing. Instead, he gives a blessing by the laying on of hands and by the authority of the priesthood.

Administering to the sick has two parts: (1) anointing with consecrated oil and (2) sealing the anointing.

Anointing with Consecrated Oil

The anointing of the oil is done by one Melchizedek Priesthood holder.

1. He puts a drop of consecrated oil on the person’s head.

2. He places his hands lightly on the person’s head and calls the person by his or her full name.

3. He states that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

4. He states that he is anointing with oil that has been consecrated for anointing and blessing the sick and afflicted.

5. He closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sealing the Anointing

Normally, two or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands lightly on the person’s head to seal the anointing. However, one Melchizedek Priesthood holder can do this alone if necessary. When sealing the anointing, the Melchizedek Priesthood holder does the following:

1. He calls the person by his or her full name.

2. He states that he is sealing the anointing by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

3. He gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.

4. He closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

5.6

Giving Blessings of Comfort and Counsel

Melchizedek Priesthood holders may give blessings of comfort and counsel to others who ask for them. For such blessings, one or more priesthood holders place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the priesthood holder who gives the blessing does the following:

1. He calls the person by his or her full name.

2. He states that the blessing is being performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

3. He gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.

4. He closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Missionaries who give blessings to members should report the blessing to the member’s bishop directly or through the elders quorum president or ward mission leader, who will then tell the bishop.