Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

THE MANNER OF ORDAINING, VER. 1-3
Book of Mormon Commentary
Moroni Chapter 3
Moroni 3:1 The manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained priests
and teachers.
Moroni was directed to explain these important ordinances in plain, direct words for the benefit of
future generations and particularly for the Lamanites (1:4).
After calling on the Father in the name of Jesus Christ and laying hands on the candidate, the one
officiating shall say, "In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest, to preach repentance
and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end.
Amen." (2). If the candidate is to be ordained a teacher, the word "teacher" is substituted where the
word "priest" is used (2).
Men are to be thus ordained "according to the gifts and callings of God unto men." Those ordained
need not expect that they shall instantly be endowed with gifts or talents or duties not inherent in
their natural abilities and in the office to which they are called. However, Christ and his earthly
representatives can see the potentialities in ordained men who place themselves at God's direction
and disposal.
Paul made this clear when he wrote to Timothy, his "son" and fellow-minister (II Tim. 1:2; Rom.
16:21), when he exhorted him: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15).
Moroni stressed not only that the manner of ordaining was primarily by prayer, but one was
ordained "by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them" (Mi. 3:3). This throws a great
responsibility on those officiating. Unless they are moved upon by that Spirit, they go through a
form which is technically proper but is not accompanied by the power and assurance which carries
divine authority (D. and C. 17:12).