Gospel Principles
Unit 5: The Church of Jesus Christ
Chapter 14: Priesthood Organization
Concept 2: Keys of the Priesthood
"There is a difference between priesthood and the "keys" of the priesthood. A priest in a ward has power sufficient to baptize, yet he has not the right to preform this ordinance until he has been authorized by the bishop.The bishop has the "keys" to administer to the affairs belonging under his ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Therefore, he is the person who can tell a priest to baptize.
"The president and prophet of the Church has the "keys" of the priesthood to administer in all spiritual and temporal affairs of the Church. It is his right to delegate stake presidents, bishops, patriarchs and others, as holders of the "keys" pertaining to specific offices in certain geographical areas.
"President Joseph F. Smith taught on this subject:
"Every man ordained to any degree of the priesthood has this authority delegated to him. But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the priesthood" (Gospel Doctrine, p. 136) (Melvin R. Brooks, L.D.S. Reference Encyclopedia, p. 393).
Discussion
What is the difference between the priesthood and the keys of the priesthood?"