FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormonism and priesthood/Criticisms
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Criticisms of the Mormon priesthood
Jump to Subtopic:
- Criticisms by traditional Christians of the Mormon concept of priesthood
- Claims by ex-Mormons that Church leaders have lost priesthood authority
- Evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Possesses Priesthood Authority
Criticisms by traditional Christians of the Mormon concept of priesthood
Jump to Subtopic:
- Question: Do we do not need a mediating priesthood since it has been "fulfilled in Christ?"
- Question: Was the priesthood held by Jesus priesthood not 'transferable' to members of the Church?
- Question: Is there a "Priesthood of All Believers" which eliminates the need for unbroken lines of priesthood authority?
- Question: What does the Bible teach about priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ?
- Question: How do Mormons view miracles in other faiths?
Claims by ex-Mormons that Church leaders have lost priesthood authority
Jump to Subtopic:
- Question: Have Latter-day Saint (Mormon) Church leaders lost priesthood authority?
- Question: Have Mormons deviated from proper wording for the baptismal prayer?
- Question: Do Mormons believe that the Church controls the Holy Ghost?
- Question: Is a Church not needed?
- Question: Is priesthood authority not needed to perform baptisms?
- Question: Can the priesthood authority be re-conferred by heavenly messengers?
- Question: Is prophecy only available for "after the fact" confirmation that God has acted?
- Question: Were Brigham Young and subsequent apostles personal witnesses of Christ?
Evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Possesses Priesthood Authority
Summary: Latter-day Saints claim to hold a special authorization from God to perform ordinances on behalf of others that are necessary for their individual salvation and exaltation. It is on the basis of this possession that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be God's "only true and living church on the face of the whole earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30). This claim is controversial for obvious reasons. If evidence can be given to show that the Church does not possess this authorization, then their claim to being the only true church can be either weakened or entirely dismissed. This article explores what evidence the Church can give to support their claim to the possession of priesthood authorization.