I think I’m missing something or not understanding something. I have many friends that are members of the LDS (Mormon Church). I don’t get how Elders, Deacons, Priests and Bishops works with them. I don’t want to be disrespectful, but I don’t get it. The reason why is because of what the Bible says. Well, I do with the Bishops. But I don’t understand how kids can be Deacons and Priests.

I have many wonderful friends that are LDS but that doesn’t help my mind and how it is confused on this topic. Just wait till I start in on my Trinity post, lol. Then there will be mass confusion on my part. That’s a whole other topic though.

Below is some verses and what my thoughts are on why I’m confused. I don’t want this to be a debate topic, it’s Sandie (Me) is clueless on the whys and hows 🙂

(Deacons are 12 yrs old in LDS Church) 1 Timothy 3:8-13

The responsibilities of a deacon are not clearly listed or outlined; they are assumed to be everything that does not include the duties of an elder or pastor, which is to preach, teach, and exhort. But qualifications for a deacon’s character are clearly outlined in Scripture. They are to be blameless, the husband of one wife, a good household manager, respectable, honest, not addicted to alcohol and not greedy (1 Timothy 3:8-12). According to the Word, the office of deacon is an honor and a blessing. “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13).

(Elders- 18 yrs Old in LDS Church) 1 Timothy 5:17-19

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

According to the LDS Church- In the LDS Church the proper title given to holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood. The title is used for members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Quorum of the Seventy and for full time missionaries. To serve a mission, a man must become an Elder and receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.

To become an elder or church leader in my church you must earn such high respect be of such authority I think with the LDS Church you have to be 18 before you can be an Elder of the Church.

The elders should be peacemakers, prayer warriors, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers. They are the preaching and teaching leaders of the church. It is a position to be sought but not taken lightly—read this warning: “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). The role of elder is not a position to be taken lightly.

Today, for the biblical church, these roles are essentially the same. Elders and pastors are to “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2), and deacons are to be appointed to take care of everything else. In a modern church, this might include taking on administrative or organizational tasks, ushering, being responsible for building maintenance, or volunteering to be the church treasurer. It depends on the need and the gifts of the available men.

(PRIESTS- 16 yrs Old in LDS Church)

At my church, we don’t have a priest. Instead we have either a Pastor or Reverend. In my thoughts I always thought that the priest is supposed to be spiritually educated. As a result, such a person is authorized by the local bishop to hear confessions and otherwise offer spiritual counsel. Priests, however, through their work through the sacrament of penance, served as the most important person to give counsel against committing any further sin.

I found this on EHOW- It is a term very often used in the Bible. The servants of the Old Testament were called priests. In the New Testament priests are called all those who believed wholeheartedly in the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving forgiveness of sins. A priest is specially trained to offer sacrifice. Among Christian groups, only the Orthodox, Anglican and Roman Catholics have priests. These are the only three groups that hold to the ancient teaching that the merits of Christ, offered on the cross, are to be applied to the faithful through the Mass, conceived as a sacrifice. This is the primary role of the priest.

I didn’t do this post to start an argument, but my mind is confused about how children can hold these positions in a church. I guess I don’t understand how young kids can carry out some of the duties that are described in the Bible. Maybe it’s just me.