3. The office of an comes under the priesthood of Melchisedek. The Melchisedek priesthood holds the right of , and has power and authority over all the offices in the in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.

4. The , after the order of Melchisedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the Church.

5. after the order of the Melchisedek priesthood, have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the Presidency, in administering spiritual things; and also in the office of an elder, , (of the Levitical order) , and member.

6. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high priest is not present.

7. The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, agreeable to the and of the church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when there are no higher authorities present.

8. The second priesthood is called the priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. Why it is called the lesser priesthood, is because it is an appendage to the greater or the Melchisedek priesthood, and has power in administering outward . The is the presidency of this priesthood and holds the or authority of the same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. But as a high priest of the Melchisedek priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called and set apart and unto this power by the hands of the presidency of the Melchisedek priesthood.

9. The power and authority of the higher or Melchisedek priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual bessings of the church— to have the privelege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven— to have the heavens opened unto them— to commune with the general assembly and church of the first born, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator of the .

10. The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel— the of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.

11. Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding offices growing out of, or appointed of or from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these two priesthoods. Of the Melchisedek priesthood, three presiding high priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a of the . The twelve travelling counsellors are called to be the , or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the [p. 29]