Melchizedek Priesthood

"The Melchizedek Priesthood is “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:3). It is the power by which the sons and daughters of God can become like Him (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–21; 132:19–20)." (General Handbook Section 3.3.1)

The Year Before

For young women, your senior year of high school can be a wonderful time to learn more about how you are blessed by God's priesthood power, authority, and keys. With that in mind, we invite you to review these resources with your parents or another trusted adult.

For young men, we invite you to use the year preceding your ordination as a time to prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. Each young man is different and has unique circumstances. Although no timeline to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood is the same, as a general guideline, receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood at least a few months before serving a mission or moving away from home is a good timeframe. Please work with your parents and leaders to develop a plan that works for you.

As you prepare, we invite you to review these resources with your parents or another trusted adult, such as a member of the Elders Quorum Presidency or a ministering brother:

• Appendix A: For Parents--Preparing Your Children for a Lifetime on God's Covenant Path, found in the back of the Come, Follow Me manual

• Gospel Study Guide: Melchizedek Priesthood in the Gospel Library, especially focusing on the scriptures and conference talks linked in the study guide; the questions that are posed throughout the study guide would also be great to discuss with your parents and family

• "The oath and covenant of the priesthood" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44)

• General Handbook Section 3: Priesthood Principles

• General Handbook Section 18: Performing Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings

The Months Before

As you prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, please work with your Bishop and Elders Quorum President to develop a plan to transition from the priests quorum to the elders quorum.

• Meet with your Elders Quorum President to get to know each other better

• Attend elders quorum meetings and/or elders quorum activities a few times to get to know your future quorum members

• Ideally, make a plan to begin attending elders quorum meetings at least three months before beginning missionary service

The Weeks Before

When you are ready to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, please complete the following steps:

• Contact your Ward Executive Secretary to let him know you'd like to schedule an appointment with your Bishop to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood

• Meet with your Bishop to discuss your preparation and worthiness to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood; your parents are welcome to join you

• When you and your Bishop agree that you are ready, your Bishop will submit a recommendation to the Stake President for you to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood; as a reminder, the Stake President is the presiding high priest in the stake and oversees ordinations to the Melchizedek Priesthood

Once your Bishop submits the recommendation for your ordination, please complete the following steps:

• Contact the Stake Assistant Executive Secretary to schedule a meeting with a counselor in the Stake Presidency; inform him this meeting is to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood

• Meet with a counselor in the Stake Presidency to discuss your preparation and worthiness

  • Your parents are invited and encouraged to join you for this meeting

  • We will discuss what you learned from studying the preparation material outlined above

• Upon being recommended by the Stake Presidency, you will then be sustained by the High Council and in your ward to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood

After Being Sustained

• Coordinate with the High Councilor assigned to your ward to arrange a time to be ordained

  • He has been asked to represent the Stake President at your ordination

  • Please invite your Bishop, your Elders Quorum President, and others as you see fit

• Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood

After Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood

• Record your experiences leading to this ordination

• Attend elders quorum meetings regularly

• Exercise your priesthood authority righteously

• At the Stake Conference following your ordination, your ordination will be ratified by the members of the stake

Throughout the rest of your life, we hope that you enjoy the privileges and blessings that flow from the Melchizedek Priesthood.