Every Elder, Priest or Priestess, Teacher, or Deacon is to be ordained according to the gifts and callings of God unto them by the Power of the Holy Ghost which is in the one who ordains them.” —Doctrines of the Saints 2a:56

In entering and with advancement in the Priesthood, the same questions are asked and answered as before baptism. After these, a perspective Officer will receive their Initiatories and be properly Endowed after their ordination before being further ordained.

To ordain one to an office of the Priesthood, the person performing the ordination must be properly ordained themselves. A Priest or Priestess, or member of the High Priesthood may ordain others to the Levitical Priesthood, under the direction of the local Pastor or Bishopric; and an Elder, High Priest or High Priestess may ordain one to the High Priesthood, under the direction of the area Patriarch and Matriarch.

All perspective members of the Levitical Priesthood must first be washed, anointed, given their new name, and presented with the Garments of the Holy Priesthood. When ordaining one to the High Priesthood, one should be wearing the Robes of the Priesthood, as instructed up to that point.

Once authorized, the one performing the ordination will lay their hands upon the individual’s head, along with any others invited to stand in the circle, and state the perspective officer’s full name. They will then ordain them to the desired office, bestowing the rights, powers, and authority of that office. Following this, they may bless them, as directed or moved by the Holy Spirit. To conclude, they will close in the name of Jesus Christ, as directed in the Book of Mormon.

The manner which the disciples, who were called the Elders of the Church, ordained Priests and Teachers—
After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said:

‘In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a Priest (or if he be a Teacher, I ordain you to be a Teacher); to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on His name to the end; Amen.’

And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them.” —Moroni 3

Latter Day Sisterhood

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cen′chre-ae, that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the Saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.” —Romans 16:1 RSV

The Fellowship of Christ ordains all those called of God, per the Book of Avahr. As the Lord told Joseph Smith Sr., “if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work” (Avahr 10:5).

Brief History

The original “Female Relief Society of Nauvoo” was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois. The prophet Joseph Smith organized the women under the priesthood on Thursday, March 17, 1842, in the second-story meeting room over the prophet’s Red Brick Store. Twenty women met with the prophet, John Taylor, and Willard Richards to start the new organization.
In forming the Society, the prophet Joseph Smith stated “he was going to make of this Society a kingdom of [priestesses] as in Enoch’s day—as in Paul’s day” (Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, p. 22). The prophet’s wife, Emma Hale Smith, was elected “Presidentess Elect,” and Joseph

read the Revelation to Emma Smith, from the book of Doctrine and Covenants; and stated that she was ordained at the time the Revelation was given, to expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of community; and that not she alone, but others may attain to the same blessings” (Doctrines of the Saints 9:25-26).

It was proposed that the organization go by the name “Benevolent Society.” However, Emma Smith convinced the attendees that the term “relief” would better reflect the Society’s purpose. At this point, the men left the room so the Society could be about its business. Presidentess Elect, Emma Smith; the original Elect Lady, remarked that “each member should be ambitious to do good” and seek out and relieve the distressed (Doctrines of the Saints 9:48, 80).

Organization and Teachings

The original Nauvoo Relief Society had the same priesthood offices as the male organization.

If any Officers are wanted to carry out the designs of the Institution, let them be appointed and set apart, as Deacons, Teachers &c. are among us.” —Doctrines of the Saints 9:19

Under the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. the Sisters of the Nauvoo Relief Society were taught to use the priesthood. We do not know to what extent these women used the keys given them, but we do know that blessed and healed the sick.

Thursday 28 at Two o’clock after- noon met the members of the “Female Relief Society” and after presiding at the admission of many new members. Gave a lecture on the priesthood, shewing how the Sisters would come in possession of the privileges & blessings & gifts of the priesthood— & that the signs should follow them. such as healing the sick casting out devils &c. & that they might attain unto. These blessings, by a virtuous life & conversation & diligence in keeping all the commandments.” —Joseph Smith’s journal; April 28, 1842

The Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book confirms the prophet’s journal:

Prest.[sic] Smith continued the subject by adverting to the commission given to the ancient apostles “Go ye into all the world” &c.— no matter who believeth; these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils &c. should follow all that believe whether male or female. He ask’d the Society if they could not see by this sweeping stroke, that wherein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority which is confer’d on them— and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on…

“Respecting the female laying on hands, he further remark’d, there could be no devil in it if God gave his sanction by healing— that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water— that it is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be heal’d by the administration.” —Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, p. 36; April 28, 1842

The organization quickly grew to over 1300 members before Joseph Smith’s death in June 1844, around which time the organization as it was known was disbanded.

Women in the Fellowship

The Sisterhood of Christ has not only restore the keys of the priesthood to women, as originally given, it has expanded their authority in the Church of Jesus Christ. The head of this Sisterhood is Kristine Ferriman—co- president of the Fellowship, prophetess, seer, revelator, equal in authority with the First Elder of the Fellowship. All women and those that identify as women are welcome to join this Sisterhood, as they are called of God.

Working with the Brotherhood of Christ in the Order of the Ministry, men and women together hold the executive keys to run the Fellowship of Christ, as instructed by the Lord (Doctrines of the Saints 119:4). The Sisterhood of Miriam is associated with Moses’ sister; Miriam, just as the Aaronic Priesthood for the males is named after Aaron, Moses’ brother. The Sisterhood of Magdalene is the High Priesthood equal to its male counterpart is named after Melchizedek.

The Sisterhood of Christ is doing more than give women a voice in the Lord’s Fellowship; it is extending the keys of the priesthood of God to any woman who feels called of God to do His works. The Fellowship has been called to return these blessings to all women as seen throughout history, as found in the Holy Scriptures.

In these, the latter days, I have set into motion the circumstances and have provided the tools needed for My daughters in Zion to reclaim their spiritual power and their birthright.” —Doctrines of the Saints 10g:3

Example ordination:

The following is a sample ordination, and does not have to be read exactly, but may be:

(State their full name); in the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a (Deacon, Teacher, Priest or Priestess, Elder, High Priest or High Priestess, etc.), to preach repentance (or teshuvah) and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end.”

(Blessing, as moved by the Holy Spirit)

These things I leave with you (or say, or prophesy), in the name of Jesus Christ; So mote it be, Amen.”

Those witnessing this may then state, “Amen,” to seal the ordination.
The person being ordained may invite up to 12 persons to stand in the circle. Family members should get priority, but it is up to the individual being ordained. A member of the local Bishopric should stand in the circle, to show support, and/or an Evangelist from local the High Council representing the Patriarch and Matriarch. A member of the Seventy may step in in cases where there are no Evangelists.

If the number of persons is limited, then those participating should merely place both hands on the person’s head. However, if there are more than three and all of those in the circle, they should use an Order of Prayer or the True Order of Prayer based on the level of Endowments those in the circle have received.