In Mormonism, a high priest is a member of the priesthood (Mormonism) with authority greater than that of an Elder or a priest. Originally, the term high priest referred to any member of the High Priesthood (which was later called the Melchizedek priesthood). Later during the ministry of Joseph Smith, Jr., it became just one of several offices within the Melchizedek priesthood.

The first ordination of high priests took place on June 3, 1831, when Joseph Smith, Jr. and several of his associates were ordained to the "high priesthood". According to many contemporary accounts, including the official church history, the office of high priest was the first office of the Melchizedek priesthood. (Roberts, 1902, vol. 1, p. 175; Corill, 1839, ch. 10; Wight, 1857; Pratt). These contemporary accounts are controversial, however, and were reinterpreted by later apologetics, in order to place the office of elder within the Melchizedek priesthood, even though the office

High priests in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the office of high priest is an office in the Melchizedek priesthood higher than that of elder. Adult men who are called to serve in the bishopric, Stake High Council, or who are worthy are interviewed by the bishop and stake president. Consent of the church is required before the ordination is performed, and this is usually done at stake priesthood meetings held twice a year.

While age is never a determining factor in who is called to serve in priesthood positions, most High Priests are older, more experienced members of the church.

Because the high priests are usually older than the elders, they are most times relied upon for wisdom and leadership. They share responsibility for many of the day-to-day operations of a church. They are called to serve in a variety of positions throughout the ward.

When a couple's children have grown up and left home, high priests and their wives are encouraged to serve missions in the church throughout the world according to their ability and talents. Some are called to teach people how to farm or run a business in parts of the world that require it. Many are called to operate and maintain the many temples across the world. Still others serve in genealogy centers, employment centers, and in missions to support the mission president and the many missionaries that serve there.

High priests are organized into quorums at the stake level, with the president of the quorum being the stake president. The stake president organizes a high priest group in each ward, with a group leader that reports to the bishop of that ward. The high priest group works principally to support the bishop in whatever way it can. The usually more temperate and experienced high priests usually take care of the older members of the ward, including the widows and sick. They will sometimes focus on encouraging members to attend the temple and pursue their family histories.

The bishopric is composed exclusively of high priests. This means younger members of the bishopric receive the ordination at a younger age. Oftentimes you will see a high priest group composed of mostly older men, with a few younger men who were called to serve in the bishopric at an early age.

All adult men in the ward, whether they are faithful or not, affiliate with the Elders Quorum or the High Priests Group of that ward.

High priests may be called to become an apostle. Others may be called to serve as a general authority of one of the several Quorums of the Seventy.

References

1. ;
2. Lyman Wight, letter to Wilford Woodruff, Aug. 24, 2857 (LDS Archives);