Aaronic Priesthood Ordinances

Blessing the Sacrament

Priests bless the sacramental bread using these words: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen” (D&C 20:77).

They bless the water using these words: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen” (D&C 20:79).

Performing a Baptism

Under the direction of the presiding authority, a priest may perform the ordinance of baptism. To do so, he:

1. Stands in the water with the person to be baptized.
2. Holds the person’s right wrist with his left hand (for convenience and safety); the person who is being baptized holds the priesthood holder’s left wrist with his or her left hand.
3. Raises his right arm to the square.
4. States the person’s full name and says, “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (D&C 20:73).
5. Has the person hold his or her nose with the right hand (for convenience); then the priesthood holder places his right hand high on the person’s back and immerses the person completely, including the person’s clothing.
6. Helps the person come up out of the water.

Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood and Ordaining to an Office

When authorized by the presiding authority, a priest may confer the Aaronic Priesthood and ordain a person to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood.

To perform a priesthood ordination, one or more authorized priesthood holders place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the person who performs the ordination:

1. Calls the person by his full name.
2. States the authority by which the ordination is performed (Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood).
3. Confers the Aaronic Priesthood, unless it has already been conferred.
4. Ordains the person to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood (deacon, teacher, or priest) and bestows the rights, powers, and authority of that office. (Priesthood keys are not bestowed in conferring the priesthood or ordaining to one of these offices.)
5. Gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
6. Closes in the Name of Jesus Christ.