Like the Melchizezek Priesthood, Mormons believe that Aaronic Priesthood authority is passed through the laying on of hands: "[A] man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (5th Article of Faith).
The Aaronic Priesthood is sometimes considered to be a "branch" or an "appendage" to the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Offices of the Aaronic Priesthood
| Aaronic Priesthood | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bishop | 18 and older | Preside over local wards (congregations), administer temporal and spiritual welfare to their wards and officiate as a common judge in Israel; a Bishop is also President of the Aaronic Priesthood in his ward; a literal descendant of Levi is entitled to this office, but it may be filled by a High Priest if no Levitical descendant is present in the ward. The Bishop is typically the presiding High Priest in a congregation |
| Priest | 16 and older | Prepare and Bless the Sacrament, Baptize, ordain other Priests, Teachers and Deacons and all the duties of a Teacher |
| Teacher | 14 and older | Prepare the Sacrament, Hometeach and all the duties of a Deacon |
| Deacon | 12 and older | Keys of the ministering of angels, pass the Sacrament and collect Fast Offerings |
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if an adult man joins the Church, he may be called and ordained to hold the 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. In addition to being ordained to a certain office in the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood, a male may also be set apart and ordained to a Priesthood leadership office. For example, men are usually not ordained to the office of High Priest unless they are also set apart to an office which requires that ordination, such as Bishop or High Councilman. However, older men are also ordained to the office of High Priest although they may have never 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.
Mormons believe that ancient prophets and apostles conferred the Priesthood directly upon Joseph Smith and other early members of the Church. The conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery is recorded in Joseph Smith - History as follows: