The LDS Daily WOOL© Home Page
(11/28/04)
"... the kingdom of God is governed by the authority of the
priesthood. It is not conferred for honor, but for a ministry of
service. Priesthood titles are not created by man; neither are they
for adornment, nor do they express mastership. They denote appointment
to service in the work of the Lord. We are called, sustained, and
ordained-not by ourselves, but "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." (A
of F 1:5; see also Heb.
5:4.)" - Russell M. Nelson, "Honoring
the
Priesthood," Ensign, May 1993, p. 38
(11/29/04)
"We are Christians because we believe in the Christian lay ministry,
established in the original Church. '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.' (A
of F 1:5.) We believe that a call to the ministry is something
that 'no man taketh... unto himself,' but that he must be 'called of
God, as was Aaron.' (Heb.
5:4.) In other words, we do not believe that a man may call
himself to the Lord's ministry." - Robert E. Wells, "We
Are
Christians Because... ," Ensign, January 1984, p. 19
(11/30/04)
"Paul wrote concerning the priesthood: 'No man taketh this honour unto
himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.' (Heb.
5:4.) We have not acquired it through purchase or bargain. The
Lord has given it to men who are considered worthy to receive it,
regardless of station in life, the color of their skin, or the nation
in which they live. It is the power and the authority to govern in the
affairs of the kingdom of God. It is given only by ordination by the
laying on of hands by those in authority to do so. The qualification
for eligibility is obedience to the commandments of God." - Gordon B.
Hinckley, "The
Cornerstones
of Our Faith," Ensign, November 1984, p. 52
(12/1/04)
"Yes, with all of the soberness of my soul, I declare that God's house
is a house of order. His holy purposes are not carried out by man's
whim or fancy but, rather, in this church which bears his name, sacred
ordinances can only be performed by proper authority. We agree with
Paul that 'no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is
called of God, as was Aaron.' (Heb.
5:4.) Priesthood authority of the Lord Jesus Christ was restored
by John the Baptist, by Peter, James, and John in the spring of 1829."
- Robert L. Simpson, "The
Most
Vital Information," Ensign, November 1974, p. 46
(12/2/04)
"Truly, '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.' (Fifth
Article
of Faith.) Those who have desires to do good, and do it, shall
be rewarded, but it is not within the province of any man to set
himself up as a minister of Christ or a light to the world. No man can
give himself the power to baptize, or to confer the Holy Ghost, or to
preach, or to seal men up unto eternal life in God's kingdom. True
legal administrators are 'called of God, as was Aaron.' (Heb.
5:4.)" - Bruce R. McConkie, "Doctrinal New Testament
Commentary," 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-1973], 2:281
1/16/17
It was the Lord himself who installed Apostles and prophets in this
modern Church. It is, therefore, no idle gesture by which we sustain the
First Presidency and the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators, for
so they are, divinely chosen, duly ordained and set apart by the laying
on of hands by those authorized to do so.
They were called of God as was Aaron (see Heb. 5:4), according to the pattern described by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Hebrews. They were appointed by revelation, ordained by other living prophets, and fully commissioned to act in the name of the Lord. – Mark E. Petersen, “Follow the Prophets,” Ensign (CR) November 1981
2/16/17
Christ is the source of all true priesthood authority and power on
earth. It is His work, in which we are privileged to assist. “And no
one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of
love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all
things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.”
We do not act for personal gain, but rather we seek to serve and to
lift up others. We lead not by force but through “persuasion, …
long-suffering, … gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.” –
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The
Joy of the Priesthood,” Ensign (CR) November 2012