Keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood

Given in Stake Priesthood Meeting

Keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood

The word Priesthood is used a lot in the church. Sometimes we just refer to the priesthood. Sometimes we refer to priesthood power, priesthood authority, priesthood responsibilities, priesthood offices, or priesthood keys.

Today I want to talk about specific Melchizedek priesthood keys. When we talk about priesthood in general, we usually refer to the authority God has given man to act in His name here upon the earth. It is a wonderful gift and blessing that he has bestowed upon his children, but this authority needs to be regulated and governed in order that we are organized and consistent in all our affairs.

This is where priesthood keys come into play. God has not bestowed upon us the authority to do all that God does whenever we see fit. Peter, James, and John conferred certain priesthood keys on Joseph Smith. Later, in the Kirtland Ohio temple, other keys were restored including the keys pertaining to the gathering of Israel. Prophets have also taught that there are other priesthood keys that have not been given to us yet including the keys of creation and resurrection.2 The world was created by the power of the priesthood. But we are not able to create worlds, or plants, or animals, or anything like what was done in the beginning. Those keys are not available to us, which helps keep things in order here on the earth.

President Nelson gave a great example of how we can understand priesthood keys. “To serve well as one who bears the holy priesthood, one needs both preparation and permission. May I relate a personal experience? Prior to my call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I served as a medical doctor and surgeon. I had earned two doctor’s degrees. I had been certified by two specialty boards. That long preparation had consumed many years, yet the education itself did not allow me to serve the public. Why? Because I needed legal permission.

That could be granted only by authorities of the state government and directing boards of hospitals in which I desired to work. Once officials holding proper authority granted me a license and permission, then I could care for patients who needed surgical relief from their ailments. After legal administrators had exercised their keys, then I could render the service for which I had been prepared.

In return, I was accountable to those who granted those privileges. I was required to obey legal and ethical expectations and never abuse the power entrusted to me.

Just as the important steps of preparation and permission pertain to medicine (and other professions), they also relate to priesthood service. Those who hold the priesthood—Aaronic and Melchizedek—have authority to render priesthood service. As agents of the Lord, they have the right to perform sacred ordinances of the gospel. Keys authorize the performance of that service.”3

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold all priesthood keys that have been restored. Those keys have been passed down since they were restored to Joseph Smith. The President of the Church—the senior Apostle—presides over the entire Church and is the only person on earth who exercises all the keys in their fullness. He delegates authority by conferring or authorizing the conferral of keys upon other bearers of the priesthood in their specific offices and callings.

One of the functions of keys is in the performance of priesthood ordinances. All ordinances are performed under the authorization of the priesthood leader who holds the keys for the ordinance. For example, ordinances performed in the temple come under the authorization of the president of the temple, who holds the keys for the ordinances of the temple.1 Under the authorization of the temple president, temple workers, both men and women, are set apart to officiate in temple ordinances. They perform those ordinances under the direction and authority of the one who holds the priesthood keys. Again, we can see that this provides consistency and order within the church. Those who hold the priesthood cannot take it upon themselves to perform temple ordinances whenever and wherever they deem appropriate.

One of the other keys of the Melchizedek priesthood is the ability to confer that priesthood and ordain to offices within the priesthood. The Stake President holds those keys and so all Melchizedek priesthood ordinations are done under his authority. There is a way that has been set up to facilitate that process. Usually, a Bishop will interview a potential Melchizedek priesthood holder and submit a recommendation to the stake president. I have the assignment from President Francom to interview that person on his behalf. If I find the person ready and worthy to receive the Melchizedek priesthood, that person is presented to the High Council, and then the ward, for a sustaining vote. After that, the priesthood can be conferred with an ordination to a priesthood office.

Any Melchizedek priesthood holder has the authority to confer the Melchizedek priesthood, but it can only be done under the authority of the person that holds the keys. A father does not have the right to confer upon his son the Melchizedek priesthood at his own choosing. But, after having received the authorization from the person holding the proper keys, he can perform that ordination. In this way we also ensure that all ordinations are properly recorded and done in an organized manner.

Relate Bro Hopkins example.

There are other keys as well. Quorum presidents, for example, hold keys for the ministering of those that belong to their quorums. Every priesthood quorum has a president, whether it is a quorum of deacons, teachers, priests, elders, or high priests. Each president holds keys of authority. Quorum activities and opportunities for service are authorized by the president who holds those keys.

The principle that priesthood authority can be exercised only under the direction of the one who holds the keys for that function is fundamental in the church. But it is interesting that such keys do not apply when exercising priesthood authority within our homes. A father presides and exercises the priesthood in his family by the authority of the priesthood he holds. He does not need approval from one holding priesthood keys in order to perform family functions. For example, a father may give counsel to family members, give priesthood blessings to his wife and children, or give healing blessings to family members and others. He can do this by virtue of his priesthood office.





Dallin H Oaks, The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys, April 2020. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/36oaks?lang=eng


Spencer W. Kimball, “Our Great Potential,” Ensign, May 1977, 49.


Russell M Nelson, Keys of the Priesthood, October 2005. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2005/10/keys-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng