"I have heard that the organization of your Church is unusually complete. How is it organized?" asked one of the visitors present.
"It is organized on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. We have therefore various quorums of these in the Church organized by revelation for the efficient and harmonious performance of church duties. There is the First Presidency, chosen from those who hold the High Priesthood and Apostleship, consisting of a President and two counsellors. The duty of the President is to preside over the whole Church, and he is sustained by the whole people as a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet."
"What is meant by Priesthood? You must have two Priesthoods then, as you speak of the High Priesthood, indicating there must be a lower one?"
"The Church is governed by the Holy Priesthood, which is divided into two grand heads the Aaronic or lesser and the Melchisedek or higher.
"The Melchisedek Priesthood, so called because Melchisedek was such a great High Priest, and also to avoid the too frequent use of Jehovah's name, as this Priesthood was formerly called after the order of His Son,—holds the right of presidency, to receive revelations from heaven and to enjoy the spiritual blessings; while the Aaronic Priesthood, so called because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed forever, holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in the outward ordinances of the Church. The offices of the Melchisedek Priesthood include Apostles, Seventies, Patriarchs or Evangelists, and Elders, and the Aaronic Priesthood includes Bishops, Priests, Teachers and Deacons.
"Next to the quorum of the First Presidency is the Twelve Apostles, then the High Council, the Seventies, the High Priests, the Elders, and the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood.
"Each calling has its own duties to be performed, and the organization is such that one does not come in conflict with the other."
The company now parted for the evening, each hoping that an opportunity might be given to hear the Elder again.
CHAPTER XII.
A BAPTISM AND A CONVERSATION ON MARRIAGE.