Melchizedek Priesthood

Today was another step closer to missionary service.. Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Jesus Christ ordaining the 12 apostles

In the Church, worthy male members may receive the Aaronic Priesthood beginning at age 12. These young men, typically ages 12–17, receive many opportunities to participate in sacred priesthood ordinances and give service. As they worthily fulfill their duties, they act in the name of the Lord to help others receive the blessings of the gospel. [source]

Jacob has been a faithful holder of the Aaronic priesthood for the last 6 years and fulfilled each assignment he has been given. Over the past two years he has blessed the sacrament bread and water for our local church congregation, with reverence and dignity.

Aaronic Priesthood blessing the sacrament

Today he had the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred upon him and was ordained to the office of an "elder" within that priesthood. This is the priesthood office that his missionary title refers to. 

Through the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, Church leaders guide the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel throughout the world. In the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, “the power of godliness is manifest” This greater priesthood was given to Adam and has been on the earth whenever the Lord has revealed His gospel. It was taken from the earth during the Great Apostasy, but it was restored in 1829, when the Apostles Peter, James, and John conferred it upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. 

Joseph Smith with Peter, James and John

“There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic”

The Melchizedek Priesthood, which is “after the Order of the Son of God”, is the greater of these. It “holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church”. It also holds “the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church”. It is named after a great high priest who lived during the time of the prophet Abraham. The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are Apostle, Seventy, patriarch, high priest, and elder. The President of the High Priesthood is the President of the Church.

Men in the Church must be worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders in order to receive the temple endowment and be sealed to their families for eternity. They have the authority to administer to the sick and give special blessings to family members and others. With the authorization of presiding priesthood leaders, they can bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost and ordain other worthy men to offices in the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods.

When a man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, he enters into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. He covenants to be faithful, magnify his calling, “give diligent heed to the words of eternal life,” and “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” Those who keep this covenant will be sanctified by the Spirit and receive “all that the Father hath.” [source]

Events such of this are big days in the life of Latter-day Saint families. They are made more special by the fact that as a father and Priesthood holder,  I was able to be the one that ordained Jacob.

Only 88 days till he leaves !!!

Take a look at the menu tabs across the top of our blog, we have added a couple of new pages.

Starting Out

Several friends have asked questions regarding missionary service.

Will Elder Teal receive any training ?

When in Greece will he teach in English or have a translator?

Does the church give him a living allowance?

How does missionary service affect his education?

Elder Teal will begin his missionary service on the 31st of July 2014. He had put on his application an "available date" that fell after his 'A' level exams. This date also means he will return home around July 2016, in time to take up his deferred university offer.

Initially he will spend 9 weeks at the Preston Missionary Training Center (MTC) which is in the grounds of the Preston Temple, just off junction 8 of the M61. While there he will have general missionary training and Greek language lessons.
He will fly from the MTC to Athens.

From the 31st of July he will live mission rules, as his training is part of his missionary service.

Missionary service is funded entirely by money saved by the missionary, 

aided by contributions by family and friends.

The coming weeks will be a busy time. Along with revision for his 'A' levels he will be making physical preparations, buying all the kit he needs for two years. He is also preparing himself spiritually, studying scriptures and is starting to teach himself Greek. He has mastered the alphabet already !

Finally you may wonder why I am referring to him as Elder Teal. Full time missionaries are all addressed by the priesthood office they hold which is "Elder" Although currently only "called to serve" not actually serving, I am mindful this may be read in 12 months time, while he is actually serving.

Introduction

Welcome to Elder Teal's Blog

This blogs aim is to share Elder Teal's experiences as he prepares for and serves in, the Greece Athens Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All though much of the content will be provided by Elder Teal via emails home, this blog will be compiled and maintained by his dad (John Teal) on his behalf.

We hope you come back frequently, even add a bookmark to find us easily. We also hope you will share links to this site with your friends church member or not.

For those that may not be aware, here is some information about 'Mormon' Missionaries.

Called to Serve