Melchizedek priesthood

In Mormonism, the Melchizedek priesthood is one of the two or three types, or "orders" of priesthood. The Melchizedek priesthood is also referred to as the high priesthood of the holy order of God (Alma 4:20, 13:8), or the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God (LDS D&C 107:3), or simply as the high priesthood. In Mormonism, unlike most other Christian religions, the Melchizedek priesthood is thought to be held by mortals as a normal priesthood office, and not solely by either pre-Aaronic priests such as Melchizedek, or Jesus alone, as most Christians interpret the Epistle to the Hebrews.

The Melchizedek priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest denomination of Mormonism, the Melchizedek priesthood is one of two recognized priesthoods, which is usually given as a matter of course to worthy members 18 years and older who have been a member of the church for over one year. Ordination is based on the recipient's age, gender, and moral worthiness without regard to training, knowledge, or aptitude.

Offices of the Latter-day Saint Melchizedek priesthood

If an adult man joins the Church, he may be called and ordained to hold the lesser Aaronic Priesthood (if he is morally worthy) by those in the Church with authority to do so. After a period of time (usually one year) the man may be called and ordained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood (again based upon moral worthiness) by those in the Church with authority.

Men are generally ordained to the office of High Priest in order to be set apart to an office which requires that ordination, such as Bishop or High Councilor. However, older men are also ordained to the office of High Priest without having been set apart to serve in a leadership office. Each person who holds an office of the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood also belong to a local Priesthood quorum. Although the age limits set forth in this article are almost always followed, they remain malleable and applied at the discretion of the correct Priesthood authority.

Quorums

Priesthood bearers are organized into quorums to fulfill their priesthood responsibilities. The quorums are a brotherhood where members of the quorum assist each other, teach one another, and delegate particular responsibilities to individuals or committees. Oftentimes members of the church who do not maintain the standards and people who are not members of the church are invited to participate in the quorum to enjoy the brotherhood and support, although they may not be given responsibilities.

Melchizedek Priesthood
OFFICE	AGE	TYPICAL DUTIES
Apostle	18 and older	Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ who hold all the keys of the kingdom to officiate in all responsibilities and duties of the Priesthood including the sealing power and the power to act as a Prophet, Seer and Revelator.
Seventy	18 and older	Men who assist the Apostles to serve as General or Area Authorities. Seventies may also have other 'special assignments' as directed by the First Presidency or Twelve Apostles. When a Seventy becomes 70 years old, he is typically granted 'emeritus status' and retires from his special assignments and assumes the role of a high priest (although still officially a seventy).
Patriarch	18 and older	A local man that is ordained to give Patriarchal Blessings to members within his stake.
High Priest	18 and older	May serve in leadership callings such as a Bishop, ordain other High Priests and all duties of an Elder.
Elder	18 and older	Confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost, ordain other Elders, bless the sick by the laying on of hands, and all the duties of a Priest.

Office	Quorum Organization
Apostle	Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Seventy	Quorums of the Seventy
High Priest	The high priests in a stake are a quorum, but each ward has a High Priests Group organized.
Elder	Each ward and branch has one or more Elders Quorum of up to 96 members.

Presidencies

Each quorum and organizational unit in the church has a presidency attached to it. A presidency is composed of three members: the president and two counselors. Typically, a president is selected and he chooses the two counselors whom he would like to serve with him. On very rare occasions there may be only one counselor or three counselors. Usually, a secretary is also called by the president to serve, but he is not considered a part of the presidency by authority. Each of the counselors is given a precedence, for instance, "first counselor" and "second counselor".

The one exception to this precedent is in the Presidency of the Seventy, which consists of seven presidents equal in authority.

The counselors serve under the direction of the president and share in his responsibilities. The president may assign each counselor to handle certain areas of responsibility. The president bears the sole burden of being the final arbiter of decisions, but he is advised to counsel with his advisors and pay close attention to their advice and insight.

When the president is released, the counselors are released as well.

A bishopric is organized much like a presidency, except the president is the bishop.

Priesthood Leadership callings

In addition to the regular offices of the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood referred to in the chart above, there are other leadership callings within the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. The table below lists these other Priesthood leadership callings and the table below it shows how the various callings are organized within the hierarchy of the Church.

Priesthood Leadership callings
OFFICE	TYPICAL DUTIES
President (Prophet) or Counselor of the First Presidency of the Church	Apostles who direct the affairs of the entire Church
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles	Apostles who assist the First Presidency
Area President or Counselor	Seventies assigned to preside over stakes and missions within a certain geographical area
Mission President or Counselor	High Priests who preside over a particular mission
Stake/District President or Counselor	local High Priests who preside over the wards within their stake
High Councilor	local High Priests who assist the Stake Presidency
Temple President or Counselor	local High Priests who preside over a local temple
Branch President or Counselor	local High Priests or Elders who preside over local branches (congregations) and administer temporal and spiritual welfare to their congregations

Hierarchy

Jesus Christ

General Authorities

The First Presidency:
The President and Prophet of the Church, 1st Counselor and 2nd Counselor

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and eleven other Apostles

Quorums of the Seventy
The Seven Presidents of the Seventy and several dozen Seventies

First Quorum of the Seventy

Second Quorum of the Seventy

Area Presidencies:
Presidents and 1st and 2nd Counselors are filled by Seventies

Local Authorities

Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Quorums of the Seventy (Area Authority Seventies)

Temple Presidencies

Stake Presidencies and High Councils

Mission Presidencies

Ward Bishoprics or Branch Presidencies

Elder Quorums

High Priest Groups

Deacon Quorums

Teacher Quorums

Priest Quorums