Why Is The Priesthood So Important To God?

[Rivers]

One of the fundamental teachings presented by missionaries of the church is that of the restoration of the priesthood. This helps people to understand the necessity of being baptized again if they have already been baptized.

But it seemed that many people that on my mission had a difficult time grasping this concept. I was sometimes asked why God would be so narrow-minded as to only recognize one type of baptism. Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly. It seems that the only religions that think priesthood is important is us and the Catholics.

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

[TAO]

One of the fundamental teachings presented by missionaries of the church is that of the restoration of the priesthood. This helps people to understand the necessity of being baptized again if they have already been baptized.

But it seemed that many people that on my mission had a difficult time grasping this concept. I was sometimes asked why God would be so narrow-minded as to only recognize one type of baptism. Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly. It seems that the only religions that think priesthood is important is us and the Catholics.

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

The priesthood authority is so vital, because it allows us to act in the authority that God has. You might ask, how does God have power? It is his priesthood - his priesthood is his power. When we recieve the priesthood, we are being able to call on some of his power.

So why is the priesthood so vital? Because it gives us that capability. Thoughts are good, yes, and thoughts will even condemn us. But actions are important too. Even those who are baptized by proxy after they are dead - they still have to act, and actually choose something. Thus, though we may have good intentions, and that will get us very far, someone with the priesthood and good intentions will be able to do more, because they are acting having some of God's power.

Now, I'm sure you remember all that talk on priesthood keys. "I am a son of God, and I bear the Aaronic Priesthood which holds the keys to the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins...". This priesthood gives you the authority to perform those acts. Performing them without the keys doesn't do any good - else we wouldn't baptize for the dead - or would we do baptism at all. Temple Mairrage, the Endowment... all these things would be useless if it was just based on 'intentions', and not acts. Ultimately, whether it be in this life or the next, everyone will have that chance to 'act'. They will be given that choice. And what a great blessing that will be =).

But yah... that's how I look at it =). Hope it helps =D.

Best Wishes,

TAO

Edited June 16, 2011 by TAO

[zerinus]

One of the fundamental teachings presented by missionaries of the church is that of the restoration of the priesthood. This helps people to understand the necessity of being baptized again if they have already been baptized.

But it seemed that many people that on my mission had a difficult time grasping this concept. I was sometimes asked why God would be so narrow-minded as to only recognize one type of baptism. Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly. It seems that the only religions that think priesthood is important is us and the Catholics.

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

For the same reason that it was necessary for Jesus to be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:11, 17, 21).

[shalamabobbi]

I was sometimes asked why God would be so narrow-minded as to only recognize one type of baptism. Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly.

The analogy is someone who has incurred a great debt and cannot repay it. A friend steps in to pay his debt for him so he doesn't get thrown into debtor's prison. As the mediator he becomes the debtor's new creditor and sets new terms that the debtor can handle.

Christ is that mediator between the justice of God, and us. We in turn are indebted to Him. He sets the terms and conditions, not us, however pure our intentions may be. There is no exclusivity because each will have the opportunity to hear and accept/reject the gospel message whether in this world or the next and the same terms apply to all.

If it were OK for us to individually set the terms then there would be no more equity or justice as God would be required to accept our dead works which would vary from one individual to the next but yet result in the same reward.

Since He paid the price, He sets the terms, He makes the requirements. We don't get to tell Him what He has to accept..

[ERMD]

It is not the mere act of complying with an ordinance that is vaild. Going through the motions without proper authority truly is a dead work. There is power inherent in the saving ordinances, especially those performed in the temple. That power however, is only manifest when the ordinance is performed by one holding the proper authority to administer that ordinance, acting under the direction of one who holds the keys that pertain to that ordinance. One holding the priesthood has the power to perform the ordinance. One holding the keys must give "permission" to exercise that power.

[LeSellers]

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

I was (still am, technically) an officer in the United States Army.

When I signed something or gave someone an order, it was exactly the same, legally, as if Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Carter, or Bill Clinton had done it. I was their authorized representative. What I said was law, literally. Let's assume for a moment that the united States government worked as those who want "good intentions" to count as much as my commission. Anyone could put the power of the government behind his commands. Anyone could (and this is the more important part, in my mind) could bind (commit, whatever synonym you prefer) the united States to do anything that person chose to do.

I, as an officer, had undergone training, had learned the limits of my "power of attorney", had proven myself able to abide by those limits. I also had a chain of command that oversaw my orders, an assured I did not stray too far off the field, and gave me orders itself so I would do what the President wanted done. But if John Doakes and Mary Jane Puddlejumper could, willy-nilly, do the same thing, where would the country end up?

Without the Priesthood, the Kingdom of God would be chaos. Without Priesthood keys, with anyone deciding what needs to be done (and how it is to be done), God would be bound to do that which persons with no authority from Him, had decided He should do. Right here in this forum, we often read "God wouldn't do that [because I, the writer, think it's wrong]."

We see exactly that among Protestants who do not have any central authority. Any congregation can do anything it (and its leader) chooses. We see some egregious doctrinal errors (think, e.g., the "Reverend" Jeremiah Wright). We saw what happened in the I and II that was the apostasy, and in the IV, there was the political turmoil that birthed the Roman Catholic Church. Why? Because there was no Priesthood of God in charge.

Lehi, MAJ (Ret), USAR (Signal Corps)

Edited June 16, 2011 by LeSellers

[Ahab]

Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly. It seems that the only religions that think priesthood is important is us and the Catholics.

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

Yes, I think my answer might help to steer you in a better direction. Let's talk about the intentions of someone who presumes to act with the priesthood (which is the authority) of God.

Suppose a man says or thinks something like this to himself:

Well, according to my understanding, God wants me to be baptized, so I'm going to get baptized. Now all I need to do is find someone who can bapitze me.

Now imagine this man going out into the world while looking for someone to baptize him and while asking various people he meets: Can you baptize me like God wants me to be baptized?

Now imagine various people having the audacity to think they baptize this man when God hasn't given them his (God's) authority to baptize anyone. What do you think of their intentions?

The priesthood of God is the authority of God to do what he does in his name, and someone with the priesthood of God has the same kind of authority God has... to the extent God has given that man his (God's) authority to do something.

Does that answer help to make what we are talking about here a little bit more clear to your mind?

If not, try thinking of someone who wants to get married, rather than someone who wants to get baptized.

Do you think every man who thinks he knows how to officiate in a marriage ceremony has God's authority to officiate in a marriage ceremony just because he thinks he knows what God would do to sanction that ceremony?

People shouldn't just assume they have God's authority to do something, even when they think they know what God wants them to do in a particular situation.

For people to act in God's name they must have his authority, which is his priesthood, otherwise they are acting on their own without his (God's) authority.

So, the bottom line answer I would give is, in question form: How does God want us to do what we do in his name?... and to find out the "how" we must first find out the "what" of God wants us to do in his name.

Edited June 16, 2011 by Ahab

[CV75]

One of the fundamental teachings presented by missionaries of the church is that of the restoration of the priesthood. This helps people to understand the necessity of being baptized again if they have already been baptized.

But it seemed that many people that on my mission had a difficult time grasping this concept. I was sometimes asked why God would be so narrow-minded as to only recognize one type of baptism. Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly. It seems that the only religions that think priesthood is important is us and the Catholics.

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

Not a better answer, but one I've used that is related to the God of order is the idea of "one faith, one Lord, one baptism." One truth, one ultimate authority, one desire for His children to have what He has (including priesthood), and so forth. Nothing less and no substitute will do (for Him), even if they are woefully misunderstood to be enough by some of His children.

[Deborah]

Priesthood is not just authorization to act in the name of God. It is the power by which God himself acts. From the church website on Priesthood:

Through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

When God extends the Priesthood to men he is allowing them to act in his name. Without this authority nothing they do has any effect in eternity.

D&C 132:59 Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that sent me, and I have endowed him with the keys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit sin, and I will justify him.

[rpn]

It's the law of agency. God knows that if He does not decide who speaks for and works for Him, then eventually anything can happen to the point where people do not learn the plan of happiness and have no agency to accept it and learn to submit their will to His. Just like the Secret Service goes looking for counterfeit bills because otherwise people get defrauded, so does GOD intend to prevent counterfeit actions on His behalf that look like something real, but won't actually work.

[KevinG]

In my own experience the Priesthood gives me a more active nurturing role in my family.

[Acris Venator]

The Priesthood is necessary because all ordinances and administration involves accessing the veil. In all cases, the veil is a direct reference to the fact that the Church is the bride of the Bridegroom.

Who owns the veil? Christ. He uses it to identify his church... his bride. Hence, all who approach it must be ordained or set apart to "work" that veil. When people are baptized, those in authority essentially allow them to pass through that veil and live under the "tent" or "tabernacle" of that veil.

In baptism, the veil is symbolized by the water. The font, therefore, symbolizes both tomb (for the worldly life/natural man) and womb (reborn as a disciple of Christ). In fact, Christ transforms ALL tombs into wombs. The Resurrection will be a great rebirth executed by a grand veil worker.

Without permission, all ordinance is temporal.

[shalamabobbi]

Bump for Hughes

[Rivers]

Mainstream Christianity doesn't seem to think ordinances are all that important either. I guess it makes sense that priesthood authority wouldn't be important if ordinances weren't important either.

[shalamabobbi]

Mainstream Christianity doesn't seem to think ordinances are all that important either. I guess it makes sense that priesthood authority wouldn't be important if ordinances weren't important either.

Unimportant to who??

[Rivers]

It seems to me that mormons place more emphasis on ordinances than any other religion. For LDS, the church isn't just a church. It is literally God's kingdom on the earth. The priesthood ordinances are required for membership in God's kingdom.

Mormons are unique in this way of thinking. The rest of the Christian world doesn't have such a legalistic view of things. For the rest of the Christian world, access to the kingdom of God is much more personal. I've had many people tell me they can find God by just going fishing on Sundays.

God is apparently a very particular god when it comes to His church.

[TAO]

It seems to me that mormons place more emphasis on ordinances than any other religion. For LDS, the church isn't just a church. It is literally God's kingdom on the earth. The priesthood ordinances are required for membership in God's kingdom.

Mormons are unique in this way of thinking. The rest of the Christian world doesn't have such a legalistic view of things. For the rest of the Christian world, access to the kingdom of God is much more personal. I've had many people tell me they can find God by just going fishing on Sundays.

God is apparently a very particular god when it comes to His church.

Hehe, yes, that's true, the priesthood ordinances are important.

But I have found that God is much more personal for me, here in the LDS Church. Let me explain why.

Every day, I wake up, and I have problems, but I feel no hesitance to pray about God to them. I pray whenever I need too. And God lets me feel the spirit, which gives me answers =). This has gotten to be such a habit for me, that sometimes God has to remind me that I can't ask him for everything, on the tiniest little things, I should be able to decide and know for myself sometimes.

For me, reading the Book of Mormon is like bathing in light. The spirit is strong, so very strong, and I get answers very quickly, and I get understanding which helps me in my life, for God has me read things and lets me know the things he needs me to do. Same with General Conference. Very strong, and advice given from God at instants, which I need to implement. Sometimes I fail him, but he is always good at forgiving. Very good at forgiving, and getting me to try anew, stronger, and hopefully, a better person. Sometimes I wonder how he has the strength and patience to deal with me. I'm an annoyance - and I make mistakes MANY times over.

And then... there's the temple. The temple is an unworldly brilliant experience. I've been in the temple exactly three times. The first time was baptisms for the dead. The second time was a walk-through tour before another was dedicated. The third, recently, and the one where I was religiously active at the time, I only went into the first room, just the visitors room (and I guess part of the second room was also visitors too). Anyways, I'm not sure what I got from my first two, my memory is hazy, only have faint memories, they were somewhat positive I think. But let me tell you about this last one. As said, I only went into the first room. But that's all it took. I have never felt the spirit so strong in my life. It was overwhelming... literally. My eyes were... opened in a way. There is more... but it is not for me to talk about... it was amazing =D.

But long story short... there is great things in life... but what the LDS church has done for me that I feel other religions could not do for me is it has let me have a personal relationship with God. He is not some far off man in the sky, he is right here, in my life, doing things to help me. He is my best friend, and always wants the best for me. He gives me the spirit as my constant companion, and I hope he will never abandon me =). I will do my best to serve him. He is not holding things back from me - he is waiting till I learn things so I can learn more from him. No, the LDS Church and the Book of Mormon have been instrumental in me getting to know God personally, and trusting in him, has been the result =).

In other words, I worry not why God has said these things need to be done, for I know they will be done for all mankind who they need to be done for, and that is good enough for me. I know God is merciful and will get all the work done that is needed to get done, all we have to do is make sure we are prepared to receive it =D. The priesthood is needed and it will allow us to become like God... and that is a wonderful, and merciful blessing indeed. I will always be grateful for it. =)

Nah my friend, God isn't a very particular God. He just has commandments. And he will get things done right, no matter how long or how hard it is to take or do. You see that quote in my sig by ajax? Tis one of my favorites. He says "...my religion is built on the belief system and I believe that God will always find a way to make things just and fair even though it seems impossible. I accept this axiom without proof because I believe and hope that it must be true and in my heart I know it's true. That' s my testimony...". That also sums up pretty much what I have learned to believe too. God will make things fair possible. We accept it without proof because we trust him and we love him. And we know it in our heart. That is our testimony, that God loves us, and we love him. My friend, he loves us all. I know it! =D.

Best Wishes,

TAO

Mmm... have you ever spent time on the temple grounds... tis awsome... reminds me of this song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLos81I7EmU Tis one of my favorite songs... it captures it well. Youtube vid is okay =).

[Calm]

Mainstream Christianity doesn't seem to think ordinances are all that important either. I guess it makes sense that priesthood authority wouldn't be important if ordinances weren't important either.

Only if you exclude Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity (and probably some others) from "Mainstream Christianity" which would be strange considering how the RCC is the largest Christian church with over a billion members and the Orthodox denominations are the second largest group with about 300 million, though Protestant groups claim almost 600 million adherents altogether.

If you were to say "Mainstream Protestantism" you would likely be much more correct.

I am not sure about the more "high church" Protestant groups but I suspect that those who emphasize the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers tend to look on priesthood as less of an authority and/or ordinance/sacrament issue than other Christians.

Edited June 20, 2011 by calmoriah

[Calm]

I have a friend who converted to the LDS faith awhile ago from a typical American Protestant upbringing (can't remember which denomination at the moment). We were talking about a related topic just the other day and she stated that the hardest thing to overcome what the idea that she needed anyone to stand between her and God, ie. the Priesthood and Prophet. So there is a very significantly different view about what Priesthood is and its purpose among LDS Christians and many others.

[Lightbearer]

One of the fundamental teachings presented by missionaries of the church is that of the restoration of the priesthood. This helps people to understand the necessity of being baptized again if they have already been baptized.

But it seemed that many people that on my mission had a difficult time grasping this concept. I was sometimes asked why God would be so narrow-minded as to only recognize one type of baptism. Many people I talked to felt that God only cares about a person's intentions and that the idea of exclusive authority to baptize is silly. It seems that the only religions that think priesthood is important is us and the Catholics.

I've always had a hard time with these questions myself. Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

This one doctrine (of the priesthood) is perhaps the least understood by people both outside and even inside the Church. The concept of authority is what led my father to be converted to the Church. He actually sought for a Church with the authority from God. He had read the Bible and he sensed the sacred nature of the priesthood and the absolute essential need for it in the Church. As God has stated the hallmark of apostasy is the rejection of priesthood authority:

(D&C 1:6-30) "Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth. Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure— Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man. Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear: Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth. And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets— The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh— But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting covenant might be established; That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers. Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time. And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—"

The priesthood and revelation are inseperably connected as stated here:

(D&C 84:19-24) "And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory."

These ordinances include the Temple ordinances and are necessary to have a fulless of the glory of God (meaning exaltation). This is explained in the following:

(D&C 132:8-14) "Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion. Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name? Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed? And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was? I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord. And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God. For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed."

Notwithstanding the false doctrine of the "priesthood of all believers" God will not recognize that which He has not ordained. The priesthood is after the order of the Son of God, therefore if it is not done by His authority it is not valid. Christ is at the head, He is the great High Priest and all others who recieve His priesthood must do so in the manner He has proscribed. He is the King, we are the King's servants and must be authorized by Him or that which we do even in His name is not valid.

The world we live in has all but rejected the very concept of authority, they have gone after their own gods and took this honor unto themselves... "they teach for doctrines the commandments of men..."

"...having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."(Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:19)

The world has evolved with the "culture" which tends to reject political, judicial, and military authority. In fact because of the wickedness of men in high places, governmental authority has become almost a joke, military authority is derided and police and judicial authority is held in the utmost contempt... the field of religion has not escaped the withering hand of this cynical dishonor. I think this is a sign of the times, where authority is rejected and reverence is all but non-existent. The form of apostasy is not new, Lucifer rejected the authority of the Father and the Son when he came out in open rebellion against the Gospel and that has been a major tactic of his throughout the ages. Either he has inspired abuse of authority or rebellion against authority to cause conflict and inspire hate. So it is no wonder the authority is held in such low esteam in our day. The era of the 1960's saw the beginnings of this threat in our generation and with political scandals such as Watergate, and many others that continue to this day, little respect for earthly authority is left and the same is true for religion. The poor examples of some of apostate Christianity and also the faiths have rendered a sort of neutering of "authority" in the minds of many, this is unfortunate because when true messengers of God try to present the restoration of God's authority and His Kingdom many are apathetic or even hostile to the concept of authority and instead favor the 60's idea of "everyone should do their own thing" or "question authority" the idea that "all churches are true as long as they preach Christ" which has evolved into "we all believe in the same God" idea. This infection of rebelliousness toward authority has led many to reject the teachings of modern day prophets and apostles in the true Church. Often on this board I see many state: "Just because it was stated in Conference does not mean it is doctrine" or "That is just an opinion of an apostle" or "the church must vote on it for it to be accepted as doctrine" this I think is the most serious result of this idea of "non-authority" and is frustrating to try to teach someone or set the record straight here on this board when the opinion of many are "there is no official doctrine" in the church, but one can believe whatever they want to, sort of the buffet-style Mormonism that seems to be the norm among many on the internet.

The rejection of the concept of authority is not universal, there still is loyalty and respect and honor, but it is not as obvious in our culture as it once was... the general lack of respect and trust is one of the many things that we have lost in the 21st century. In fact I think respect for authority has become almost a "counter-culture" idea today!

[Rivers]

I have a friend who converted to the LDS faith awhile ago from a typical American Protestant upbringing (can't remember which denomination at the moment). We were talking about a related topic just the other day and she stated that the hardest thing to overcome what the idea that she needed anyone to stand between her and God, ie. the Priesthood and Prophet. So there is a very significantly different view about what Priesthood is and its purpose among LDS Christians and many others.

Exactly. The whole concept just doesn't make sense to most non-mormons.

[shalamabobbi]

It seems to me that mormons place more emphasis on ordinances than any other religion. For LDS, the church isn't just a church. It is literally God's kingdom on the earth. The priesthood ordinances are required for membership in God's kingdom.

Mormons are unique in this way of thinking. The rest of the Christian world doesn't have such a legalistic view of things. For the rest of the Christian world, access to the kingdom of God is much more personal. I've had many people tell me they can find God by just going fishing on Sundays.

God is apparently a very particular god when it comes to His church.

Why does someone want to become a citizen of the USA? The reasons are many and varied. But they all have to go through the legalistic end of the process don't they?

If I care enough about a friend to help him/her become a citizen I will help them understand and meet those legal requirements so that they can move past them and actually enjoy the things they wanted to enjoy by becoming citizens of this country.

[Questing Beast]

...

Why is priesthood authority so vital? The best answer I could come up with is this: God is a god of order we conform to his commands. Anybody have better answers?

It is vital to some people.

God is infinite. That makes a mockery of any of our concepts of "order". Even chaos originates with "God".

"Priesthood" is a mortal concept, born of our ancient propensity for eminence seeking. Priests, kings, priest-kings, et al. of our creations to establish hierarchy, is just the same old quest for authority and power. What individuals do with it, once they have it, is usually less than good.

Imho, "priesthood" is nothing more than your unique connection to "God". That means everyone has it. Within the LDS Faith, "Priesthood" is the authority to act within the organization of the religion. Outside of it, it does not exist.

Faith, believing in Divine Intervention, is what powers blessings. That's why in the early days of the Church, even President Young sent his wives to be blessed by certain women in the Church; their ability to lay on hands and heal, using the priesthood of their husbands, was legendary among the Saints.

Outside of the LDS Faith, most people believe that they will be together as families beyond the grave. Contrary to what Mormons assume, this is far from a uniquely Mormon belief. The only difference is that Mormons assert that without "priesthood" authority and ordinances in Mormon temples, families will never stay together in the eternities; whereas "ordinary" people just make the faith-based conclusion that God would not be so mean as to deny true love and the children that it produces: their loved ones will be waiting for them beyond the pale of death, no strings attached.

If you doubt this, just start asking people you know or meet: "Do you believe that your family will be together after you die?" Most will say that they don't know, but they want it to be so. If pressed to choose whether or not to believe it, most will say that they hope it's true. I have met very few people, even unbelievers in the afterlife, who will just toss the consideration away entirely. It is natural to us to entertain the concept of eternal association with one another. But "priesthood" doesn't enter into it, except for Mormons and RCs (as far as I know, anyway)....

[LeSellers]

God is infinite. That makes a mockery of any of our concepts of "order". Even chaos originates with "God".

No, "chaos" does not "originate with God". Chaos is the natural state of matter. It must be organized, and that's what God does.

Lehi

[TAO]

I have a friend who converted to the LDS faith awhile ago from a typical American Protestant upbringing (can't remember which denomination at the moment). We were talking about a related topic just the other day and she stated that the hardest thing to overcome what the idea that she needed anyone to stand between her and God, ie. the Priesthood and Prophet. So there is a very significantly different view about what Priesthood is and its purpose among LDS Christians and many others.

Hehe, that's funny - I need the exact opposite to keep me in check. I wouldn't be controllable if I didn't have some form of leadership, and I'd probably be lost. But eh, that's just me I guess = ).