<P> In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints (LDS Church), the priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God for the salvation of humankind . Male members of the church who meet standards of worthy behavior and church participation are generally ordained to specific offices within the priesthood . </P> <P> The priesthood authority is divided into two divisions or "orders": the Melchizedek priesthood and the Aaronic priesthood . The Melchizedek priesthood encompasses all priesthood authority; the Aaronic priesthood is therefore an appendage or subdivision of the Melchizedek priesthood . </P>

What is the priesthood in the mormon church