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In Mormonism, the Melchizedek priesthood (/ m ɛ l ˈ k ɪ z ɪ d ɛ k /), [1] [2] also referred to as the high priesthood of the holy order of God [3] or the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God, [4] is the greater of the two orders of priesthood, the other being the Aaronic priesthood. [5]
The church teaches that receiving the priesthood is a saving ordinance for males. Like all saving ordinances of the church, it is accompanied by the recipient making a covenant with God. In addition, the reception of the Melchizedek priesthood is said to constitute an "unspoken oath as well as [a] covenant". [18]
The majority of Chazalic literature attributes the primary character of psalm 110 as King David [6] who was a "righteous king" (מלכי צדק) of Salem (Jerusalem) and, like Melchizedek, had certain priest-like responsibilities, while the Babylonian Talmud understands the chapter as referring to Abram who was victorious in battling to save his nephew Lot and merited priesthood. [7]
Latter Day Saint theology has recognized at least three orders of priesthood: the Aaronic priesthood, the Melchizedek priesthood; and the Patriarchal priesthood.Although these are different orders, they are, in reality, all subsumed under the priesthood held by Jesus Christ, that is, the Melchizedek priesthood.
According to the church's summary of the Melchizedek Priesthood, there are but two priesthoods, "the Melchizedek and the Aaronic." And that the Melchizedek is the higher or greater priesthood, "after the order of the Son of God (or Jesus Christ)."
The priesthood is divided into an order for young men aged 11 years and older (called the Aaronic priesthood) and an order for men 18 years of age and older (called the Melchizedek priesthood). [3] [5]: 26 Additional authorities within the priesthood—called priesthood keys–are extended to holders of certain church leadership callings.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a relatively open priesthood, ordaining nearly all worthy adult males and boys of the age of twelve and older. Latter-day Saint priesthood consists of two divisions: the Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
Melchizedek priesthood quorums also engaged in recruiting members from the Aaronic priesthood, which further depleted the ranks of the lesser priesthood. Unlike today, it was not a requirement to hold the Aaronic priesthood before receiving the Melchizedek priesthood, so the recruiting by the higher priesthood included the unordained as well. [13]