the Mormon "priesthood"

[dcana]

Sorry about the quotes. I cannot exclude them because I do not believe that such a thing as a Mormon priesthood exists. Same thing goes for Lutheran, Episcopalian, and Anglican “priests” and “bishops.” I am only being honest.

Here’s my question: What is it that Mormon “priests” offer and what is the purpose of this offering? All priests must offer something in sacrifice to be a priest. Does each Mormon church have a “priest?” If not who leads the congregation? Do they make their offering every Sunday? Is there a “high priest” (who I would presume would be in the SLC Temple)?

Thank you and God Bless

 

[ParkerD]

dcana,
The Old Testament talks about offerings and the law of sacrifice that was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Mormons do have priesthood offices such as “Deacon, Priest, Elder, Seventy, High Priest, Bishop and Apostle” but as far as offerings such as you seem to be talking about, the offering each member gives from their own heart is what is urged, which is to offer a “broken heart and a contrite spirit” under the New Covenant gospel since the Old Covenant was fulfilled through Jesus’ life, mission, and atoning sacrifice. “All things are become new” in the New Covenant gospel as far as circumcision and the law of sacrifice are concerned, so they are no longer part of the covenant making.

The priesthood offices have to do with performing various duties “in the name of God” such as preparing, blessing and passing the communion “sacrament” to the members, providing anointing and blessings to the sick or injured, performing the ordinance of baptism and the ordinance of giving the gift of the Holy Ghost (including in temples), and performing sealing ordinances in temples. Bishops also have duties related to caring for the poor and needy, receiving donations of members for tithing and for “fast offerings”, and discerning what callings should be given to each member such as to be a teacher of youth or to be the presiding woman over a group of women who meet together.

Apostles have duties related to bearing testimony of Christ in all the world, deciding where temples and other church structures should be built and overseeing building processes, deciding on educational issues for youth and young adults such as decisions relating to seminaries and to a few universities such as BYU, and keeping the doctrines taught by the church pure and obtaining feedback through other leaders involved with all these processes. The “seventy” assist the apostles in many of these duties just mentioned.

 

[zerinus]

Sorry about the quotes. I cannot exclude them because I do not believe that such a thing as a Mormon priesthood exists. Same thing goes for Lutheran, Episcopalian, and Anglican “priests” and “bishops.” I am only being honest.

Nothing wrong with being honest!

Here’s my question: What is it that Mormon “priests” offer and what is the purpose of this offering? All priests must offer something in sacrifice to be a priest.

I am not sure I can agree with that. I think you are comparing it with the rites of Leviticus priesthood in Old Testament times. They offered blood sacrifices; however, with the final sacrificial act of Jesus Christ, blood sacrifices were done away, and priests no longer offer those kinds of sacrifices. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, blood sacrifices were replaced by the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We certainly do offer that sacrament as one of the rites of the priesthood; but in our theology we do not consider it as an “offering” in the same sense that it is thought of in the Catholic Church.

Does each Mormon church have a “priest?” If not who leads the congregation?

The priesthood in the LDS Church has many offices, just as there is in the Catholic Church. You have priests, deacons, presbyters, and bishops. We have different offices of the priesthood too, except that we have more of it (different priesthood offices and orders) than you do. An ordinary Mormon congregation is presided over by a bishop, and he has other priesthood officers that assist him. There are higher ranking priesthood officers above him and lower ones below him.

Do they make their offering every Sunday? Is there a “high priest”

The purpose of the priesthood in the LDS Church is not to make “offerings” as you understand it. In Mormon theology the priesthood is defined as the authority of God delegated to man to officiate or act in His behalf; and most of the “priestly” functions that they perform are sacramental (and ministerial) in nature. They perform sacraments such as baptisms, confirmations, blessing the sick, etc., as well as ministering to the spiritual and temporal needs of Church members. We do not have a “professional” priesthood. All worthy male members of the Church can and are expected to be ordained to the priesthood, and serve in various capacities as one of the officers of the priesthood.

(who I would presume would be in the SLC Temple)?

You are getting way too confused with your Old Testament ideas of priesthood. If you really want to find out how it all works, your best bet is to visit an LDS Church a few times (preferably with a Mormon friend who can show you around and tell you who does what), and learn it that way.

Thank you and God Bless

Thank you, and God bless you too!