Mosiah 6

King Benjamin "appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made" (3).


Those with the Aaronic Priesthood have responsibilities. Too often I think that the sisters in the ward are not aware of them and thus cannot properly encourage the young men and men to develop and become better than they are. In the Church Administration handbook under Aaronic Priesthood, it covers what those responsibilities are:




Deacon

• He lives a righteous life and remains worthy to exercise the priesthood. He sets a good example for fellow quorum members and other Church members.
• He passes the sacrament.
• He serves as a standing minister, “appointed to watch over the church” (D&C 84:111). He is also to “warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (D&C 20:59). This responsibility includes fellowshipping quorum members and other young men, notifying members of Church meetings, speaking in meetings, sharing the gospel, and bearing testimony.
• He assists the bishop in “administering … temporal things” (D&C 107:68). This responsibility may include gathering fast offerings, caring for the poor and needy, caring for the meetinghouse and grounds, and serving as a messenger for the bishop in Church meetings.
• He participates in quorum instruction by being an active student of the gospel.
• He assists the bishopric in other ways consistent with the office of a deacon. He also assists teachers “in all [their] duties in the church … if occasion requires” (D&C 20:57).

Teacher

• He prepares the sacrament.
• He is to “watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them” (D&C 20:53). One way he does this is by serving as a home teacher.
• He is to “see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking” (D&C 20:54). This responsibility includes being a peacemaker and being an example of moral integrity and uprightness.
• He is to “see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty” (D&C 20:55).
• He assists the bishopric in other ways consistent with the office of a teacher.

Priest

• He is to “preach, teach, expound, exhort, … and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties” (D&C 20:46–47).
• When authorized by the bishop, he performs baptisms, confers the Aaronic Priesthood, and ordains deacons, teachers, and priests (see D&C 20:46, 48).
• He may administer the sacrament by officiating at the sacrament table and offering the sacrament prayers when authorized (see D&C 20:46, 77, 79; see also 20.4.3 in this handbook).
• He assists the bishopric in other ways consistent with the office of a priest.