The Order of the Priesthood Lesson 42: Section 107, Official Declaration 2

Doctrine and Covenants Instructor’s Guide: Religion 324-325, (1981), 83–84


The powers of the priesthood flow from two grand heads: the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. Through these powers the servants of the Lord preside in God’s earthly kingdom.

Theme Analysis

  • A.

    Aaronic Priesthood

    1. 1.

      Has the keys of the ministering of angels

    2. 2.

      Holds the keys of the preparatory gospel

    3. 3.

      Is presided over by the bishop

  • B.

    Melchizedek Priesthood

    1. 1.

      Holds the right to administer in all spiritual blessings of the Church

    2. 2.

      Holds the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the mysteries of God

    3. 3.

      Permits a righteous individual to see and dwell in the eternal presence of God

    4. 4.

      Encompasses the Aaronic Priesthood, for all offices of the priesthood are appendages thereto

    5. 5.

      Has five quorums through which the earthly kingdom is administered (First Presidency, Twelve Apostles, high priests, seventies, and elders)

    6. 6.

      Holds the right of presidency

Study Sources

Student Manual

Section 107; Official Declaration 2; Enrichment M, “Priesthood and Church Government, Part 1” (especially M-3)


Standard Works

  • D&C 107, Official Declaration 2. Keeping in mind the theme of this lesson, read and ponder these sections.

  • D&C 84:26-27. What is the preparatory gospel?

  • Mark 3:14. How many men did Jesus ordain here and why?

  • Matthew 16:19. What special powers did Christ promise Peter, and what rights did those powers confer?

  • Luke 10:1,17. In this instance how many were appointed by Jesus to assist him and the Twelve?

  • Acts 6:6. What did the Apostles do for others and how was it done? See also Acts 13:2-3.

  • Hebrews 5:4. All men must be “called of God, as was Aaron.” How was Aaron called? See also Exodus 28:1.

  • D&C 13. Who restored the Aaronic Priesthood and what is its significance?

  • D&C 27:12-13. What special gift was given the Prophet Joseph Smith?

  • D&C 84:21. What special power is made manifest by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood?

  • D&C 68:15-21. A literal descendant of Aaron may serve as a presiding bishop without counselors if called by the First Presidency; otherwise, who is called and ordained as such? See also Doctrine and Covenants 107:69-76.

Basic Library

  • Teachings, p. 166. There are two priesthoods in the Church, but the Melchizedek is the “grand head, and holds the highest authority … and the keys of the Kingdom of God.”

  • Teachings, p. 167. All priesthoods are only part of what grand order?

  • Teachings, pp. 180-81. Who ordained the ancient prophets (after the time of Moses)?

  • Teachings, p. 323. Which priesthood is received by ordination with an oath and a covenant?

  • Teachings, pp. 111-12. Who presides over the entire Church and receives the mind and will of God?

  • Teachings, p. 112. Over whom does a bishop preside?

  • Gos. Doc, pp. 174-76. The priesthood is greater than any of its offices, and members of the Melchizedek Priesthood may, if called by proper authority, officiate in any Church capacity. See also pp. 148-49.

  • Gos. Doc, p. 142. What is meant by the phrase, “keys of the priesthood”?

  • Gos. Doc, pp. 177-89. What are the many duties of the priesthood?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

(Ideas Other Teachers Have Used)

The Priesthood Is Greater Than Its Offices (Scripture Chain)

The instructor could use the following scriptures to help the students discover the significance of the priesthood:

  • D&C 107:4-5. What is the highest authority pertaining to the priesthood?

  • D&C 107:5-8. All priesthood offices are appendages to the Melchizedek Priesthood.

  • D&C 107:14. As an appendage to the higher priesthood, what is the administrative stewardship of the Aaronic Priesthood?

  • D&C 107:15, 72-74. On a local level, who is the president of the Aaronic Priesthood, and who holds the keys?

  • D&C 107:20-21; 84:26-27. What keys are held in the Aaronic Priesthood? What is the “preparatory gospel”?

  • D&C 107:4-12. Does a Melchizedek Priesthood holder have the power to officiate in every Church capacity? See also Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 174-76.

  • D&C 107:8-9. What crucial rights and powers are held in the Melchizedek Priesthood?

  • D&C 107:19. What is meant by the “mysteries of the kingdom,” over which the Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys? See also Doctrine and Covanants 42:61, 65; 63:23; 71:1; 84:19.

  • D&C 107:22, 65-66, 91-92. Who presides over the Melchizedek Priesthood? Compare 107:78-81.

  • D&C 107:25-26, 34, 88. What body is appointed to assist the Twelve Apostles?

  • D&C 107:27-33. What unique rule is to govern the functioning of presiding bodies of the Church?

  • D&C 107:39-40. What is the name of the office referred to as an evangelist? See footnote for Doctrine and Covenants 107:39.

  • D&C 107:99-100. What solemn charge is issued to every member of the priesthood?

Priesthood Quorums and Offices (Transparencies)

The teacher may wish to teach about the various quorums and offices of the priesthood.

Read the statement by Elder Bruce R. McConkie from Transparency 20, “The Melchizedek Priesthood and Its Offices.” Elder McConkie’s concept of a circle with segments is illustrated.

Remind the students of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement that “all Priesthood is Melchizedek” (Teachings, p. 180), that is, the Aaronic Priesthood is part of the greater priesthood.

As you conclude this portion of the lesson, be sure that students understand the following concepts:

  1. 1.

    All priesthood is Melchizedek (even the Aaronic because the greater comprehends the lesser).

  2. 2.

    The priesthood is greater than any of its parts. This is why the priesthood is conferred upon an individual before he is ordained to any office within that priesthood.

  3. 3.

    A bearer of the Melchizedek Priesthood has all the priesthood authority essential to any calling in the Church.

  4. 4.

    One may possess priesthood with its power to act, but he is subject in his administration to the one who holds the keys or directing powers. One may have power to baptize his son or daughter but must obtain permission from a presiding authority.

  5. 5.

    The Melchizedek Priesthood administers the spiritual affairs of the Church while the Aaronic Priesthood, the so-called preparatory gospel, is concerned with temporal affairs and outward ordinances such as baptism and the Lord’s supper.

Transparency 21, “Offices and Duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood,” and Transparency 22, “Offices and Duties of the Aaronic Priesthood,” could be used to help review the organization of the priesthood.