Melchizedek Priesthood

The Bishop (leader) of my ward (congregation) asked me to start thinking about receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood.  Since folks think about the "priesthood" a little differently in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I thought I'd start by explaining the priesthood before diving specifically into the Melchizedek Priesthood.  This chapter from one of our lesson manuals provides a good introduction to the priesthood.  It explains:

The priesthood is the power and authority of God ... Our Heavenly Father shares his priesthood power with worthy male members of the Church. The priesthood enables them to act in God’s name for the salvation of the human family. Through it they can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern God’s kingdom on earth.

We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs (see Matthew 7:21–23) ... 

The Lord has prepared an orderly way for his priesthood to be given to his sons on the earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood “by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (Articles of Faith 1:5).

This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses: “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4). Aaron received the priesthood from Moses, his priesthood leader (see Exodus 28:1). Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others. Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves. 

The following chapter in the same lesson manual explains that the priesthood is divided into two parts: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood.

The greater priesthood is the Melchizedek Priesthood. Long ago it was called “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.” But the name was changed so the name of the Lord would not be used so often. The Church in ancient days called the priesthood “the Melchizedek Priesthood” after a great high priest who lived during the time of Abraham. (See D&C 107:2–4)

The lesser priesthood is an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is called the Aaronic Priesthood because it was conferred on Aaron and his sons throughout all their generations. Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood have authority to administer the outward ordinances of repentance and baptism. (See D&C 107:13–14, 20)

Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They are in charge of all the spiritual work of the Church (see D&C 84:19–22). They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over wards, branches, stakes, and missions; they heal the sick, bless babies, and give special blessings to Church members. The Lord’s chosen prophet, the President of the Church, is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek Priesthood (see D&C 107:65–67).

A lesson in a different manual clearly lists the duties and powers of the Aaronic Priesthood (of which I'm currently a priesthood holder) versus the Melchizedek Priesthood (of which I'm currently not).

Power of the Aaronic Priesthood

1. Prepare, administer, and pass the sacrament.

2. Baptize (priests only).

3. Receive the ministering of angels.

4. Go home teaching.

5. Look after the physical needs of the Saints.

6. Collect fast offerings.

7. Ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons (priests only).

8. Take charge of meetings in the absence of elders.

Power of the Melchizedek Priesthood

1. Confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2. Name and bless infants.

3. Administer to the sick.

4. Consecrate oil for anointing.

5. Dedicate graves.

6. Confer the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthoods and ordain to offices in those priesthoods.

7. Look after the spiritual needs of the Saints.

8. Preside at meetings.

9. Enter the temple and receive all temple ordinances.

10. With the proper keys, officiate in all temple ordinances.

11. Have power and authority over all the offices in the Church (see D&C 107:8).

12. Do all things an Aaronic Priesthood bearer can do.

That lesson goes on to explain that "the Apostle Paul once referred to Jesus as having been 'called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec' (Hebrews 5:10). Jesus was the Great High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He is the true example of what it means to have and use the Melchizedek Priesthood ... when a young man becomes an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, he will have the power to act for and on behalf of Christ in spiritual things. Elder Bruce R. McConkie spoke about elders in the following way: 'Elders are ministers of Christ.'" (Note: the word "elder" has two meanings in the Church. It can refer in a general way to a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood.  It also refers to a specific office in the Melchizedek Priesthood).

In a Church magazine article, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains that "priesthood means service".  He goes on to say that "all who hold the priesthood of God are joined together in a common bond of service ... regardless of your priesthood office or your years of membership or service in the Church, you always can do more. To receive the priesthood is to make an eternal commitment to serving others."

One way we can serve others is by administering priesthood blessings.  In this Church magazine article, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains:

In a priesthood blessing a servant of the Lord exercises the priesthood, as moved upon by the Holy Ghost, to call upon the powers of heaven for the benefit of the person being blessed. Such blessings are conferred by holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which has the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church (see D&C 107:18, 67).

There are many kinds of priesthood blessings. As I give various examples, please remember that priesthood blessings are available for all who need them, but they are only given on request. Blessings for the healing of the sick are preceded by anointing with oil, as the scriptures direct (see James 5:14–15; Mark 6:13; D&C 24:13–14; D&C 42:43–48; D&C 66:9). Patriarchal blessings are conferred by an ordained patriarch.

Persons desiring guidance in an important decision can receive a priesthood blessing. Persons who need extra spiritual power to overcome a personal challenge can receive a blessing. Expectant mothers can be blessed before they give birth. Many LDS families remember a sacred occasion where a worthy father gave a priesthood blessing to a son or daughter who was about to be married. Priesthood blessings are often requested from fathers before children leave home for other purposes, such as school, service in the military, or a long trip...

Blessings given in circumstances such as I have just described are sometimes called blessings of comfort or counsel. They are usually given by fathers or husbands or other elders in the family ... Priesthood blessings are also given in connection with a priesthood ordination or with the setting apart of a man or woman for a calling in the Church. These are probably the most frequent occasions for priesthood blessings ...

What is the significance of a priesthood blessing? Think of a young man preparing to leave home to seek his fortune in the world. If his father gave him a compass, he might use this worldly tool to help him find his way. If his father gave him money, he could use this to give him power over worldly things. A priesthood blessing is a conferral of power over spiritual things. Though it cannot be touched or weighed, it is of great significance in helping us overcome obstacles on the path to eternal life ...

It is a very sacred responsibility for a Melchizedek Priesthood holder to speak for the Lord in giving a priesthood blessing. As the Lord has told us in modern revelation, “My word … shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). If a servant of the Lord speaks as he is moved upon by the Holy Ghost, his words are “the will of the Lord, … the mind of the Lord, … the word of the Lord, … [and] the voice of the Lord” (D&C 68:4). But if the words of a blessing only represent the priesthood holder’s own desires and opinions, uninspired by the Holy Ghost, then the blessing is conditioned on whether it represents the will of the Lord ...

In modern revelation, parents who are members of the Church are commanded to bring their children “before the church,” where the elders “are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name” (D&C 20:70). This is why parents bring babies to a sacrament meeting, where an elder—usually the father—gives them a name and a blessing ...

Brethren, young and old, do not be hesitant to ask for a priesthood blessing when you are in need of spiritual power. Fathers and other elders, cherish and magnify the privilege of blessing your children and the other children of our Heavenly Father. Be prepared to give priesthood blessings under the influence of the Holy Ghost whenever you are requested in sincerity and faith.

Finally, priesthood holders are called upon to magnify their priesthood (see D&C 84:33-34,38).  In this Church magazine article, it explains that requires at least the following three things: (1) that we obtain a knowledge of the gospel, (2) that we comply in our personal living with the standards of the gospel, and (3) that we give dedicated service.  By doing these things, "a man can make the maximum progress towards eternal life, for which mortality is designed, [and] obtain and magnify the Melchizedek Priesthood." But we're not alone in this effort.  In D&C 84:42, the Lord says that "I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you."

Only time will tell when I will receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and when I will later receive the blessings that the temple has to offer.  But when that time comes, I intend to cherish the trust that God has placed in me and use those blessings to bless the lives of others. Of this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.