Line Of Authority?

[gmormon]

How do you determine your "Priesthood Line of Authority?" Is your line from the office the person is currently holding or does it come form whomever gave him the Melchizedek Priesthood?

The reason I'm asking is because I'll be teaching the 5th AoF for Prioesthood.

"5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof"

And I decided to pursue, "...by those who are in authority..." However when I looked at my line of authority:

?. who gave the Three Witnesses their priesthood? Joesph Smith? Oliver Cowdery? ?

1. Three Witnesses

2. Brigham Young ordained an Apostle

3. Joseph F Smith ordained an Apostle

4. George A Smith ordained an Apostle

5. Henry D Moyle ordained an Apostle

6. S Dilworth Young ordained a High Priest (however he was set apart as a Seventy by George A Smith)

7. *** ordained a Seventy

8. me ordained an Elder

which is impressive to me, but the thought came to me "...shouldn't it follow whomever gave each person in your line the Melchizedek Priesthood instead not the current office they hold in the Melchizedek Priesthood"

[Hamba Tuhan]

My bishop ordained me a high priest in March (so that I could be called as his counsellor), and he supplied me with a new line of authority. It stems from your current office: 'If a priesthood bearer desires to trace his own line of authority, he should pursue his current office in the priesthood—not former offices'.

[Bob Crockett]

What about those ordained to be bishop. Trace from that?Bishop is an ordained office in the Aaronic Priesthood, right?

[Hamba Tuhan]

Fromt the same source: 'Bishops and patriarchs should trace their line of authority as high priests'.

[CASteinman]

which is impressive to me, but the thought came to me "...shouldn't it follow whomever gave each person in your line the Melchizedek Priesthood instead not the current office they hold in the Melchizedek Priesthood"

Good point. Never thought of that before. I agree with you.

[gmormon]

My bishop ordained me a high priest in March (so that I could be called as his counsellor), and he supplied me with a new line of authority. It stems from your current office: 'If a priesthood bearer desires to trace his own line of authority, he should pursue his current office in the priesthood—not former offices'.

Thanks! When I tried searching for an official statement I wasn't finding one...

... "...shouldn't it follow whomever gave each person in your line the Melchizedek Priesthood instead not the current office they hold in the Melchizedek Priesthood"

Now why doesn't it follow whom ever gave you the Melchizdek Priesthood? I was always taught there was two priesthoods, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek, with both having different offices therein with approprite keys assigned. However no more authority was given...

[Stargazer]

Thanks! When I tried searching for an official statement I wasn't finding one...

Now why doesn't it follow whom ever gave you the Melchizdek Priesthood? I was always taught there was two priesthoods, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek, with both having different offices therein with approprite keys assigned. However no more authority was given...

There is only one priesthood, and that is the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God, for which we were given an alternate name, Melchizedek Priesthood. All other priesthood, however it is named or subdivided, is but an appendage to it.

As to authority, the two main subdivisions were given distinct responsibilities, including limitations on authority. The Lord has specified how that authority is to be subdivided and limited in this dispensation, and this means that though a man may receive the Melchizedek Priesthood he does not necessarily hold all the authority implicit in that Priesthood. Why else would there be "offices" created within the priesthood, unless they had specific responsibilities, or in other words, limitations on authority? A priest may baptize, but not confirm. An elder may confer the Melchizedek Priesthood and he can ordain to the office of elder, but he may not ordain to the office of high priest. And while a high priest holds the same priesthood as an elder, he has greater responsibility within that priesthood. And when a priesthood holder acts in his office he always acts from the level of highest responsibility that he holds. Thus the line of authority goes through the line of greatest responsibility.

At least that is way I see it.

[KevinG]

I always include these notes on my sons ordinations after including the line of their authority back to the earliest ordinations.

The Three Witnesses : Oliver Cowdrey, David Whitmer and Martin Harris were called by revelation to choose the Twelve Apostles; and on February 14, 1835, were "blessed with the laying on of hands of the Presidency", Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, to ordain the Twelve Apostles.

(See Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Vol. 2. pp. 185-189)

Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdrey received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1829 under the hands of the Apostles Peter, James and John:

D&C 27:12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and special witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;

13 Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;

14 And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.

Peter, James and John were ordained Apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ:

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me [the Lord], but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

D&C Section 13:

Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood along the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. HC 1: 39-42. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel, who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time the Priesthood of Melchizedek would be conferred upon them.

Keys and powers of Aaronic Priesthood are set forth.

1 UPON you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

(See section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the Duties of the Priesthood)The Three Witnesses : Oliver Cowdrey, David Whitmer and Martin Harris were called by revelation to choose the Twelve Apostles; and on February 14, 1835, were "blessed with the laying on of hands of the Presidency", Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, to ordain the Twelve Apostles.

(See Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Vol. 2. pp. 185-189)

Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdrey received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1829 under the hands of the Apostles Peter, James and John:

D&C 27:12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and special witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;

13 Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;

14 And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.

Peter, James and John were ordained Apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ:

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me [the Lord], but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

D&C Section 13:

Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood along the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. HC 1: 39-42. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel, who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time the Priesthood of Melchizedek would be conferred upon them.

Keys and powers of Aaronic Priesthood are set forth.

1 UPON you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

(See section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the Duties of the Priesthood)

[gmormon]

Thanks! KevinG

I wasn't finding what i wanted online, and all my books are in storage

Edited May 27, 2012 by gmormon

[ERayR]

Thanks! When I tried searching for an official statement I wasn't finding one...

Now why doesn't it follow whom ever gave you the Melchizdek Priesthood? I was always taught there was two priesthoods, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek, with both having different offices therein with approprite keys assigned. However no more authority was given...

It follows the current ordination. The line where you received the authority to use the current keys you hold. When you were given the Melchizedec Priesthood you were most likley ordained an Elder by the same person. That person bestowed the Melchizedek Priesthood and gave you the keys to act in the office of an elder. When you are ordained a High Priest you are given the keys to act in the capacity as a High Priest. The first ordination bestowed the Melchizedek Priesthood but did not give you the keys to act as a High Priest. Anything you did as an Elder was done by the keys held as an Elder. Your line of authority authenticates where those keys came from. When you were given the keys of a High Priest your line of authority then comes from the one who authorized you to use those keys.

Edited May 27, 2012 by ERayR

[Alan]

A line of authority pertains to the ordination to the Melchezedek Priesthood and not the office. When I was 18 I was given the Melchezedek Priesthood and ordained to the office of Elder. When I was made a High Priest 8 years later I was ordined to the office only, as I already had the Melchezedek Priesthood. When I was ordained as a Bishop it was the office only as I already had both priesthoods (Bishop is an office in the Aaronic Priesthood). The office does not bestow authority; rather, it limits it.

[ERayR]

A line of authority pertains to the ordination to the Melchezedek Priesthood and not the office. When I was 18 I was given the Melchezedek Priesthood and ordained to the office of Elder. When I was made a High Priest 8 years later I was ordined to the office only, as I already had the Melchezedek Priesthood. When I was ordained as a Bishop it was the office only as I already had both priesthoods (Bishop is an office in the Aaronic Priesthood). The office does not bestow authority; rather, it limits it.

It pertains to the keys you are authorized to use. I have recorded in my journal three seperate lines of authority 1) When I was ordained an Elder 2) When I was ordained a Seventy and 3) When I was ordained a High Priest. If it is only for the ordination to the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood There would be no need for a seperate line of authority when additional authority is given.

Edited to add:

Your actual line of authority goes back through the person who last ordained you to whatever office you now hold. Here is a statement from the First Presidency:

"If a priesthood bearer desires to trace his own line of authority, he should pursue his current office in the priesthood—not former offices. Bishops and patriarchs should trace their line of authority as high priests. In completing an authority line, each step should go back through the office held by the person at the time he performed the ordination. It is not appropriate to trace the line of authority in cases of setting apart or for other ordinances." (General Handbook Supplement, Number 1, July 1, 1976)

Edited May 28, 2012 by ERayR

[ERayR]

Your actual line of authority goes back through the person who last ordained you to whatever office you now hold. Here is a statement from the First Presidency:

"If a priesthood bearer desires to trace his own line of authority, he should pursue his current office in the priesthood—not former offices. Bishops and patriarchs should trace their line of authority as high priests. In completing an authority line, each step should go back through the office held by the person at the time he performed the ordination. It is not appropriate to trace the line of authority in cases of setting apart or for other ordinances." (General Handbook Supplement, Number 1, July 1, 1976)

For those that reeally care.

[gmormon]

For those that reeally care.

I do and that is why I asked the question....thanks for your postings.

[ERayR]

How do you determine your "Priesthood Line of Authority?" Is your line from the office the person is currently holding or does it come form whomever gave him the Melchizedek Priesthood?

The reason I'm asking is because I'll be teaching the 5th AoF for Prioesthood.

"5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof"

And I decided to pursue, "...by those who are in authority..." However when I looked at my line of authority:

?. who gave the Three Witnesses their priesthood? Joesph Smith? Oliver Cowdery? ?

1. Three Witnesses

2. Brigham Young ordained an Apostle

3. Joseph F Smith ordained an Apostle

4. George A Smith ordained an Apostle

5. Henry D Moyle ordained an Apostle

6. S Dilworth Young ordained a High Priest (however he was set apart as a Seventy by George A Smith)

7. *** ordained a Seventy

8. me ordained an Elder

which is impressive to me, but the thought came to me "...shouldn't it follow whomever gave each person in your line the Melchizedek Priesthood instead not the current office they hold in the Melchizedek Priesthood"

To answer your ?? about who ordained the three witnesses here it is from my LOA.

The three witnesses were called by revelation to choose the twelve apostles and on 14 February 1835 were blessed by the laying on of the hands of the presidency, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, to ordain the twelve apostles (history of the church, vol 2 pp187-188).

[gmormon]

To answer your ?? about who ordained the three witnesses here it is from my LOA.

The three witnesses were called by revelation to choose the twelve apostles and on 14 February 1835 were blessed by the laying on of the hands of the presidency, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, to ordain the twelve apostles (history of the church, vol 2 pp187-188).

Thanks! ...but didn't Oliver already have it? (Don't answer I already know the answer )

[Alan]

I must admit i have always had questions regarding the ordination of the apostles under the hands of the Three Witnesses. The reason for this is that they had no keys to bestow. I have never found a satisfactory explanation for this.

[blooit]

This was an interesting point for me too. IF you follow the line of who ordained you to the MP, then it would often be a patriarchal line, since father often ordain sons as elders. I was disappointed to see my line did not follow from my father to my grandfather, but took another path since my father was ordained a seventy before he ordained me.

Not a huge deal, but I would love it if my line followed my family line.

[ERayR]

I must admit i have always had questions regarding the ordination of the apostles under the hands of the Three Witnesses. The reason for this is that they had no keys to bestow. I have never found a satisfactory explanation for this.

They were called by revelation and were commissioned, ordained, by the First Presidency who had the keys from Joseph Smith.

[JSHarvey1961]

This is the best *detailed* description of the inter-relationships between the First Presidency, The Three Witnesses, and the first Twelve Apostle I've ever found.  Unfortunately it does not have the dates.

 

The following information will be helpful in understanding how the Priesthood Line of Authority works.

Jesus Christ ordained Peter, James, and John, who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

Joseph Smith ordained Lyman Wight who ordained Sidney Rigdon and Martin Harris.

Oliver Cowdery ordained David Whitmer.

Joseph and Oliver ordained Frederick G. Williams together.

These men became part of one of two groups, either the Three Witnesses or the First Presidency.

• The Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon were Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris.
• The First Presidency consisted of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams.

The Three Witnesses were called by revelation to choose the Twelve Apostles and on February 14, 1835 were “blessed by the laying on of the hands of the Presidency.”

They ordained the following as Apostles:

Lyman E. Johnson

Orson Hyde

William E. M’Lellin

William Smith

Brigham Young

David W. Patten

John F. Boynton

Thomas P. Marsh

Heber C. Kimball

Luke S. Johnson

Orson Pratt

Parley P. Pratt

These apostles were ordained on different dates. The majority of Priesthood Lines of Authority come through Brigham Young or Heber C. Kimball who were both ordained on February 14, 1835.

The First Presidency confirmed the ordinations by the laying on of hands (History of the Church, Vol. 2, pages 187-188.)

The apostles went forth on their missions and as they ordained men to offices in the Priesthood, these ordinations were recorded and passed down for posterity.

[JSHarvey1961]

I meant to include the web reference above.  http://lineofauthority.com/sitemap/explaining-priesthood-lines%C2'>

I'm not associated with this website, I just found it via Google.

[Avatar4321]

I must admit i have always had questions regarding the ordination of the apostles under the hands of the Three Witnesses. The reason for this is that they had no keys to bestow. I have never found a satisfactory explanation for this.

 

My understanding of the keys, is the Twelve did not recieve all the keys until the Nauvoo period. In fact, Joseph and Oliver didn't even get all the keys until 1836 which was after the Twelve were ordained.

[Alan]

Getting back to the lone of authority question regarding whether we follw the priesthood or the office.............. it should be the priesthood. The office is largely irrelevant to this question.

[mfbukowski]

In the temple we start out ordinances with "Having authority...."

 

That's all you need.  If you have a testimony you have it, you have it.