"By What Authrority?"

A homeless man attempts brain surgery on a street curb.
A street racer pulls over another citizen on the road and writes him a ticket for speeding.
A crazy old man decides he should run government, and tries to kick the current power out of office with his cane.
Does not make much sense, does it?
Even in the human world, a person must be given a certain authority to fulfill their stewardship.
Some people may feel threatened or discussed at the idea of organized religion [and for most of the time, with good reason].
But if God is a god of order, would he not have an organization [and proper authority] even as far in mortal affairs?

A Biblical Example with Authority…
In Acts 19, Paul [a recent convert and ordained apostle] found some disciples, and inquired if they had received the Holy Ghost. The disciples replied that they had no idea who this being was.
So then Paul asked a question: “Unto what then were ye baptized?”
They told him of John the Baptist mode of baptism.
Paul corrected these people, telling them that they had not fully received the full blessings.
Upon correcting them, the converts were re-babtized AND THEN given the rest of the ordinance by the power of the Holy Ghost.
The scriptures [not just the bible] are FULL of men with authority making corrections and helping God’s children.
However, the scriptures also contain some people doing whatever.

A Biblical Example withOUT Authority…

In the irony of Paul’s authority, in the same chapter in acts some exorcist tried to do the same things that Christ apostles attempted.
These supposed exorcist walked into this home with a man possessed with a devil, and in the name of Jesus Christ [who Paul spoke of] tried to cast him out.
The ironic twist was that the devil replied, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
The possessed man then lashed  upon the exorcised and forced them out both wounded and naked.
However funny as the account is, it contains a serious lesson:
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BACK YOU UP!

What Qualifies for that Authority?
The priesthood is given to men* beginning at the age of 12 up.
There are 3 main qualifications are as follows: 

-One must be in compliance to the covenants [or promises] that they made [such as those made in baptism and keeping the commandments as disciples of Christ]

-One must receive it from someone with the authority to do so

Once a male qualifies, like Paul and others after Christ they will have the authority passed to them in a unbroken line directly back to the savior [this is done with laying on of hands]

In now way is secular education important, nor is deep knowledge of doctrine either [it helps, but you don’t need it]
Like any organization, this priesthood holds different offices that allow the holder to perform a certain task [although some responsibilities are intertwined, anything outside these bounds usually leads to disaster; remember the exorcist?]
The priesthood is NOT a passive power, but only works on the principles of righteousness and righteous works, NEITHER is it handled by unrighteous dominion.

*HOLD THE PHONE!

Why would only men be given the priesthood? How is this fair to women?

An article in the 1980 Ensign [A magazine from the church] brings about some perspective. While this post will not go too deep into detail, it will list of some key points:

-Women hold responsibilities different from the man.

-The blessings of the Priesthood are NOT exclusive to man alone.

-Both Priesthood holder and his wife both compliment each other: ONE IS NOT WHOLE WITHOUT THE OTHER.

In Conclusion…

How great is this authority that God has given to men, for without  neither it or its blessings, no one could bring themselves into the glory of God’s presence.