Keys of the Priesthood
1. Who can the Stake President designate to set apart an Elders Quorum President?
a. Can a Stake Clerk, at request of the Stake President, set apart and Elders Quorum President?
2. Who holds the keys above the Stake President? Is it the Area Presidents?
3. Are Area Presidents always members of one of the Quorum of 70's?
4. Do the 1st Quorum of the 70 hold any keys that the other Quorums don't?
5. Do Stake Presidency Councilers hold the same keys as the President?
6. Is this different than a Bishopric?
D&C 81:2
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams: Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the Lord your God, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.;
2 Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood:
D&C 112:30-32
30 For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency, who are appointed with you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
31 Which power you hold, in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation;
32 For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you.
Church Handbook of Instructions, pg. 1
The President of the Church is the prophet, seer, and revelator. As the senior apostle and president of the Melchizedek Priesthood, he presides over the entire Church (see D&C 107:8,
65-67, 91-92). He is the only person on earth who may use (or authorize another person to use) the keys of the priesthood for governing the entire Church (see D&C 43:1-4; 81:2; 132:7).
Along with the First Presidency, the Twelve are prophets, seers, and revelators and hold the keys of the kingdom of God on earth (see D&C 27:12-13; 110:11-16; 112:30-32).
Church Handbook of Instructions, pg. 3
The stake president holds the priesthood keys to preside over the stake and direct the work of the Church in the stake. He and his counselors minister to stake members in love, helping "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1-.39).
(*Note that it specifically mentions the stake president holds the keys. It does not say this about his counselors)
Church Handbook of Instructions, pg. 11
The bishop holds the priesthood keys to preside over a ward and direct the work of the Church in the ward. He and his counselors minister to ward members in love, helping "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39).
(*Note that it specifically mentions the bishop holds the keys. It does not say this about his counselors)
Church Handbook of Instructions, pg. 23
Brethren who perform ordinances and blessings should prepare themselves by living worthily and striving to be guided by the Holy Spirit. They should perform each ordinance and blessing in a dignified manner, making sure it meets the following requirements:
1. It should be performed in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. It should be performed by the authority of the priesthood.
3. It should be performed with any necessary procedures, such as using specified words or using consecrated oil.
4. It should be authorized by the presiding authority who holds the proper keys (normally the bishop or stake president), if necessary according to the instructions in this section.
Church Handbook of Instructions, pg. 39
Setting Apart Officers and Teachers
Members who are called to most Church positions should be set apart before they begin serving. The Chart of Callings at the end of this section indicates whether a setting apart is needed and who is authorized to perform it. Presidents are set apart before their counselors.
Under the direction of the presiding authority, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders, including a worthy father or husband, may participate in a setting apart. They place their hands lightly on the person's head. Then the priesthood holder who acts as voice:
1. Calls the person by his or her full name.
2. States that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Sets the person apart to the appropriate office in a stake, ward, quorum, high priests group, or class.
4. Confers keys on those who are entitled to receive them. (In stakes and wards, only stake presidents, bishops, and quorum presidents receive keys of presidency when they are set apart. The word keys should not be used when setting apart counselors, high councilors, high priests group leaders, presidents of auxiliary organizations, the bishop's priests quorum assistants, or teachers in an organization.)
5. Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.
Ordaining and Setting Apart Bishops
If a man who is called as bishop is not a high priest, the stake president should see that he is ordained a high priest before ordaining him a bishop. If the man was ordained a bishop previously, he needs only to be set apart as bishop of the ward.
When authorized by the First Presidency, a General Authority, Area Authority Seventy, or stake president:
1. Ordains the man a bishop (unless he was previously ordained).
2. Sets him apart to preside over the ward and to be the president of the Aaronic Priesthood and the priests quorum, emphasizing his responsibilities for the Aaronic Priesthood and for young women in the ward.
3. Confers on him all the keys, rights, powers, and authority of the office of bishop, referring specifically to the bishop's duties as a common judge in Israel and as the presiding high priest in the ward.
4. Adds words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
"On Priesthood," Millennial Star, Nov. 1847, p. 322
John Taylor - There are different callings, and offices, and stations, and authorities in the holy priesthood, but it is all the same priesthood; and there are different keys, and powers, and responsibilities, but it is the same government; and all the priesthood are agents in that government, and all are requisite for the organization of the body, the upbuilding of Zion, and the government of his kingdom.
Melchizedek Priesthood Handbook, 1975
Ordination of Elders Quorum Presidents and counselors - Ordained or set apart by or under the direction of the stake president.