Being ordained an elder before your mission
A young man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood before he’s endowed and before he leaves. Here’s how the steps usually go.
When it happens
A young man can be ordained an elder from age 18. The bishop decides the timing after talking with the young man and his parents, looking at things like maturity, graduation and college plans. The handbook says worthy men should be ordained by 19, or before they leave home for a mission, college, the military or a full-time job.
Sources: General Handbook 18.10
The steps
- Interview with the bishop.
- Interview with a member of the stake presidency.
- Sustaining. The high council sustains the ordination, then it’s presented for a sustaining vote at stake conference, or in a ward sacrament meeting and confirmed at the next stake conference.
- The ordination. The stake president, or a Melchizedek Priesthood holder he directs, performs it. Only Melchizedek Priesthood holders stand in the circle, and the stake president or his designee is there.
Sources: General Handbook 18.10
Why it comes before the temple
A man must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood before he receives his endowment, and members with a mission call should be endowed before they go. So the ordination is usually one of the first things on the list. See endowment before your mission.
Sources: General Handbook 27
For families
- Ask who may stand in the circle. Family members who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may; only Melchizedek Priesthood holders stand in the circle.
- Plan it with the stake. The date depends on the stake president’s schedule and the sustaining.
- Write it down. Ordination details are worth keeping with the call letter and other mission keepsakes.
Next steps
Questions
At what age can a young man be ordained an elder?
From 18. The bishop decides the timing with the young man and his parents, and it should happen before he leaves on a mission.
Who ordains a new elder?
The stake president or someone he authorizes, with the stake president or his designee present.
Does ordination have to come before the endowment?
Yes. A man must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood before receiving his endowment.
Sources
. Unofficial: check your call packet and the Missionary Portal for your own details. Official pages and your leaders are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.