How Can I Obtain Priesthood?

Who can obtain priesthood? Who confers priesthood? What does God mean when he says, “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven”? How is Melchizedek priesthood obtained? 

It would be helpful to read What is Melchizedek Priesthood? and  How Does Aaronic Priesthood Prepare? before reading this post.

First, let’s look at how priesthood is maintained.  That’ll give us a big clue as to how the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God is obtained.

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. D&C 121:34-40

Can someone have priesthood if they: Set their heart on the things of this world? Aspire to the honors of men? Cover their sins? (As a side note: who covers sins?) Gratifies their pride? Exercises control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness? Why do many men suppose they have even a little authority? 

How do we maintain priesthood?

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 

The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. D&C 121:41-46

Does someone who has priesthood stand in the presence of God just as Melchizedek? What are the qualities of someone who holds High Priesthood? How is the doctrine of the priesthood distilled? What is a scepter? What is it used for? What is the scepter of the Priesthood?  

As I was reading about the fruits of the spirit, it sounded just like what I read in D&C 121. The fruits of the Spirit are the qualities of priesthood holders. Just like in D&C 121, there is also a warning to put off the carnal man. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

Is it important to look at the fruits of “priesthood holders”? Why? Do true High Priests-Priestesses after the Order of the Son of God come clothed, manifesting the fruits of the spirit? 

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:16-20

Look at what Moroni says about charity . .

 . . .  for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. Moroni7:44-48

It looks like the fruits of the priesthood, the fruits of the spirit, and the fruits of charity are all the same thing. As I pondered over this, everything started to come together in my mind.

Who bestows charity? Who bestows priesthood? Is charity the same things as the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God? How do I become a son of God? Does God give his sons priesthood? (Side note: If men can be a bride of Christ, then women can be sons of God) What is the power of love? How does charity seal, bind, and govern? How does priesthood seal, bind, and govern? Is there any difference?

 19 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.

 20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

 21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

 22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. D&C 84:19-22

What is the key of the mysteries of the kingdom? What is the key of the knowledge of God? (Notice key is singular.) Is charity the key to see the face of God, even the Father, and live? 

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— D&C 130:20

 

What is the law? Is there one law or many laws? Is this the law of charity?

 

How is priesthood obtained? Can children obtain priesthood? Can women obtain priesthood? Can men obtain priesthood? Are there both priests and priestesses in God’s kingdom? Can anyone obtain priesthood?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

What does Paul mean, “Against such there is no law?” Do the dead works and laws of the Aaronic priesthood give way and pass away under the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God? Is the law fulfilled in Charity, the pure love of Christ?

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. [emphasis added] Moroni 7: 48

When are you considered a true follower of Jesus Christ? When is charity bestowed? (pay careful attention to the verb tenses) After the gift is bestowed, how is the gift used in becoming sons? Do we open the gift? Play with gift? See all the wonderful things that we can do with this gift? Are we excited when we see opportunities to use and exercise this gift? 

Who is willing to receive priesthood? What happens when I use every experience to play with charity?

Wow! What many call “challenge” and “trial” are actually great gifts from God.  Isn’t it so awesome that God is stripping me of all of my attachment to outward stuff? How can I have charity if I’m attached and shackled to the things of the natural, profane man? 

The carnal man tries to find happiness by changing his environment. The man of God changes the world by allowing God to change his heart. What does this have to do with having a broken heart and contrite spirit?

Can a man and woman full of charity bind the enemy with love?  Is charity power? Who can resist it? Was the atonement was wrought through charity? Are the chains and shackles of hell broken through love?

And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace. JST, Genesis 14:36

Why was Melchizedek given the name King of peace? What does this have to do with priesthood power?

I can see Jesus shaking his head as he watches us and interacts with us.  It’s probably quite comical.  We’re scampering around trying to find out who is the best and who is the greatest in the kingdom, and he replies:

He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all. Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son. D&C 50:26-27

Or in other words, he who is charity has the greatest priesthood.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25  And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:24-30

Every day is an opportunity to open myself and let God fill me with charity. Instead of resisting the gift of charity, I choose to glory in my God for teaching me to be even as he is.  The greater the “challenge” the greater the opportunity is.

Satan lies to us and tells us to avoid the very experiences that imbue charity into our being. The carnal man agrees with the enemy and would rather live a life of ease and luxury. The devil knows that charity is the only power that can bind him.  It totally disarms him.

On the other hand, the man of God glories in the obstacle course.  God is good and his mercy endures forever!!! Yippee, hooray for life’s adventures!!!