Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- Aaronic priesthood
- Melchizedek priesthood
- Aaron - Aaron in later Jewish and Christian thought
- Melchizedek: Top Questions
- Melchizedek
- Aaron - Life
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Institutions and practices
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Structure of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
What are the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Mormon temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the priesthood is divided into two categories:
- Aaronic priesthood: This is considered the lesser of the two priesthoods. It is primarily concerned with church administration and finances. Worthy males typically enter this priesthood at age 12 as deacons, progressing to teachers at age 14 and priests at age 16.12
- Melchizedek priesthood: This is the higher of the two priesthoods and is focused on spiritual matters rather than secular ones. Members may generally enter this priesthood as elders around age 18, after which they may advance into the upper ranks of the church's priesthood hierarchy.32
The church dissolves the traditional distinctions between the priesthood and the laity, as these offices are held by members of the congregation.2