Melchizedek Priesthood

In Mormonism, the Melchizedek priesthood is one of the two or three types, or "orders" of priesthood (the others being Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood and the Patriarchal Authority, see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith Section Six 1843-44, p.323). The Melchizedek priesthood is also referred to as the high priesthood of the holy order of God (Alma 4:20, 13:8), or the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God (LDS D&C 107:3), or simply as the high priesthood. In Mormonism, unlike most other Christian religions, the Melchizedek priesthood is thought to be held by mortals as a normal priesthood office, and not solely by either pre-Aaronic priests such as Melchizedek, or Jesus alone, as most Christians interpret the Epistle to the Hebrews. The name of this priesthood became Melchizedek "because Melchizedek was such a great high priest" and "to avoid the too frequent repetition" of the "name of the Supreme Being" (D&C 107:2-4) This priesthood was on the earth since Adam received it and conferred it upon Abel and Seth, and it was conferred successively upon the early patriarchs. Through it Enoch led his people to become so righteous and obedient that they qualified to be translated as the City of Enoch. Noah held this priesthood, and it remained on earth until the time of Moses, who received it "under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro; (D&C 84:6) and it would have been given to the children of Israel if they had been worthy of it and had not "hardened their hearts" (D&C 84:24). (See also Exodus 19:5,6; Hebrews 12:20).

The Melchizedek priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the largest sect of the Latter Day Saint movement, the Melchizedek priesthood is one of two governing priesthoods, which is typically given as a matter of course to worthy male members 18 years and older. They do not have to be a member of the church for at least one year. Ordination is based on the recipient's age and worthiness, and does not require any specific training or aptitude. A candidate for this ordination is interviewed and often counseled to study Doctrine and Covenants sections 84, 107 and 121 to begin to understand the oath and covenant of the priesthood and its purpose to bless the lives of others. The candidate is also usually asked to stand in a gathering of the members of the Church to be sustained as being worthy of ordination.

An important purpose of the Melchizedek priesthood is for fathers to be able to give priesthood blessings of healing, comfort, counsel, and strength to their children, and to preside in a righteous way (see D&C 121:36-46) with their wife as leaders of their family. Many LDS fathers give a priesthood blessing to their children before the start of each new school year, or before an important event such as marriage. Each Melchizedek priesthood bearer, regardless of office, is encouraged to give priesthood blessings when called upon in faith.

Presidencies
Each quorum and organizational unit in the church has a presidency attached to it. A presidency is composed of three members: the president and two counselors. Typically, a president is selected and he chooses the two counselors whom he would like to serve with him. On very rare occasions there may be only one counselor or three counselors. Usually, a secretary is also called by the president to serve, but he is not considered a part of the presidency by authority. Each of the counselors is given a precedence, for instance, "first counselor" and "second counselor".

The two exceptions to this precedent are the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, which is presided by a single president, and in the Presidency of the Seventy, which consists of seven presidents equal in authority.

The counselors serve under the direction of the president and share in his responsibilities. The president may assign each counselor to handle certain areas of responsibility. The president bears the sole burden of being the final arbiter of decisions, but he is advised to counsel with his advisors and pay close attention to their advice and insight.

When the president is released, the counselors are released as well.

A bishopric is organized much like a presidency, except the president is the bishop.

Priesthood Leadership callings
In addition to the regular offices of the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood referred to in the chart above, there are other leadership callings within the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. The table below lists these other Priesthood leadership callings and the table below it shows how the various callings are organized within the hierarchy of the Church.

Hierarchy
Area Presidencies: Presidents and 1st and 2nd Counselors are filled by Seventies Local Authorities Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Quorums of the Seventy (Area Authority Seventies) Temple Presidencies Stake Presidencies and High Councils Mission Presidencies Ward Bishoprics or Branch Presidencies Elder Quorums High Priest Groups   Deacon Quorums Teacher Quorums Priest Quorums