As many of my blogging friends know, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we have a lay leadership. A priesthood that isn't paid but rather trained from within. As the mother of four sons (photo on left-l-r Dan, Frank and Brook), I'm grateful for the training that they have received. Starting at age 12, worthy boys are interviewed by the Bishop and ordained to the first office in the lesser or AARONIC priesthood-a DEACON then they can pass the sacrament in Sunday services, and collect fast offerings from the homes of the congregation once a month. At age 14, the next office is TEACHER which enables the young man to prepare the sacrament, and home teach selected Church families once a month with an inspirational message. At age 16, ordained a PRIEST, they can bless the sacrament in Sunday services, baptize, and ordain other deacons and teachers. It's a great program to teach responsibility and service. Also the scouting program at the same time reinforces many of these same values.
At age 18+ a young man can be ordained to the Higher or MELCHIZEDIK Priesthood. Generally this doesn't take place until a special occasion such as becoming a MISSIONARY or getting married takes place. At age 19, our young men are encouraged to serve full time 2 year missions for the church at their own expense. Two of my sons served-one in Taiwan and the other in Japan. They were ordained to the office of an ELDER in the Melchizedik Priesthood at age 19+, entered the Missionary Training Center to receive 6 weeks of language and other training prior to flying to their mission field.Those who chose to marry rather than serve a mission can be ordained to an Elder prior to their marriage. Now as an elder the young man can attend the temple and receive his endowment before his mission or marriage. Other offices in the Melchizedik priesthood are SEVENTIES-concerned with missionary work worldwide and HIGH PRIESTS concerned with administration matters, temple and family history work. (Photo above: l-r my youngest son Jeff now 26 who was recently ordained a high priest, and his brother Daniel who ordained him to Aaronic priesthood.) It's quite a plan and I as a mom with four sons have appreciated the influence of righteous priesthood holders as well as scout leaders in the training and preparation of my sons for their responsibilities as husbands, fathers and church leaders for those that have chosen that path.