What Latter-day Saints believe
Priesthood and temples
Worthy male members hold the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, said to be restored through angelic visitors in 1829. Temples perform endowments, sealings and baptisms for the dead.
In the Church's words
The Church teaches that John the Baptist restored the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829, and that Peter, James and John restored the Melchizedek priesthood. Temple ordinances (the endowment, eternal marriage sealings and proxy baptisms) are required for exaltation, and entry needs a temple recommend.
1Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
Doctrine and Covenants 13:1 · read it at ChurchofJesusChrist.org
68We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: 69Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
Joseph Smith—History 1:68-69 · read it at ChurchofJesusChrist.org
What the Bible says
Hebrews says Jesus holds his priesthood permanently because he lives forever, and is able to save completely those who come to God through him. When he died the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, and every believer may now draw near with confidence. Peter calls all believers a royal priesthood.
23Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:23-25 (WEB) · context
51Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
Matthew 27:51 (WEB) · context
19Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, 21and having a great priest over God’s house, 22let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,
Hebrews 10:19-22 (WEB) · context
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 (WEB) · context
Sources
- Doctrine and Covenants 13; Joseph Smith—History 1:68-69 (churchofjesuschrist.org).