In the Doctrine and Covenants, God's priesthood is referred to as the Melchizedek Priesthood (D&C 68; 84; 107), the “greater priesthood” (D&C 84:19), the “priesthood which is after the holiest order of God” (D&C 84:18), the “high priesthood’ (D&C 84:29), and the “Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (D&C 107:3) … The various administrative callings within the Melchizedek Priesthood include the offices of elder (D&C 107:89), seventy (D&C 107:90), high priest (D&C 68:19), patriarch or evangelist (D&C 107:39), and Apostle (D&C 20:38).
The “baptism of fire” is always associated with the Holy Ghost (D&C 20:41; 33:11; 39:6; 2 Ne. 31:13-14; Matt. 3:11) … The baptism of fire is not something in addition to the receipt of the Holy Ghost; rather, it is the actual enjoyment of the gift which is offered by the laying on of hands at the time of baptism. “There have been, however, exceptional and miraculous instances when literal fire has attended the baptism of the Spirit.” (MD, 73; see also Hel. 5; 3 Ne. 9:20; 19:13-14; Acts 2:1-4.)
One of the most solemn and sacred oaths available to man is the celestial contract known as “the oath and covenant of the priesthood” (D&C 84:33-42.) Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “There is no exaltation in the kingdom of God without the fullness of the priesthood, and every man who receives the Melchizedek Priesthood does so with an oath and a covenant that he shall be exalted.” The covenant on man’s part is that he will magnify his calling in the priesthood and that he will live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, and that he will keep the commandments.” The covenant on the Lord’s part is that if man does as he promises, then all that the Father hath shall be given unto him; and this is such a solemn and important promise that the Lord swears with an oath that it shall come to pass.” (CR, Apr. 1970, pp. 58-59.) To receive “all that the Father hath” is “to inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a God, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before.”
The Saints were counseled as early as 1832 to keep a “book of remembrance” (D&C 85:9). Pre-1981 editions of the Doctrine and Covenants had footnote cross-references from this verse to verses 1, 5, and 11, wherein the record of all that transpires in the Church and the “book of the law of God” are mentioned. If one’s name is not found in this book, President Joseph F. Smith said, “It means that you will be cut off from your fathers and mothers, from your husbands, your wives, your children, and you shall have no portion or lot or inheritance in the kingdom of God, both in time and in eternity.”
Aaron was the great priesthood leader after whom the Aaronic Priesthood was named (D&C 84:18; 107:1). He was a Levite whose parents, Amram and Jochebed, also had another famous son—the prophet Moses (Ex. 6:16-20). Early in Moses’ ministry, Aaron was called by the Lord to act as a spokesman for his younger brother in declaring the word of the Lord to the people (Ex. 4:10-16, 27-30). Aaron also stood beside his brother before Pharaoh and wielded his rod of faith before the eyes of Pharaoh’s court (Ex. 7; 8; 9; 10; 11). He not only heard the voice of God speaking to him from the heavens but also was privileged to look upon his face (Ex. 24:9-10).
The word apostasy does not appear in the Doctrine and Covenants; however, apostate (86:3), apostates (85:2), and apostatize (85:2, 11) are mentioned. Webster defines apostasy as “a renunciation or abandonment of a former loyalty.” An apostate is one who follows such a course ... Elder Thomas E. McKay quipped, “We do not lose our faith from a blowout—just by slow leaks.” (Doctrine and Covenants Encyclopedia, Apostates and Apostatize, p. 21).
About forty years before his death, Aaron was given the responsibility of presiding over a lesser priesthood than that which the Israelites had previously enjoyed. He and his sons, assisted by all the sons of Levi, were the only ones designated to perform the rites and ordinances of the priesthood which bore his name—the Aaronic Priesthood. (Ex. 28; 40:12-16; Num. 18:1-6; D&C 84:18.) This priesthood is sometimes referred to as the lesser priesthood and includes the Levitical Priesthood (D&C 107:1).
In the Doctrine and Covenants, God's priesthood is referred to as the Melchizedek Priesthood (D&C 68; 84; 107), the “greater priesthood” (D&C 84:19), the “priesthood which is after the holiest order of God” (D&C 84:18), the “high priesthood’ (D&C 84:29), and the “Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (D&C 107:3) … The various administrative callings within the Melchizedek Priesthood include the offices of elder (D&C 107:89), seventy (D&C 107:90), high priest (D&C 68:19), patriarch or evangelist (D&C 107:39), and Apostle (D&C 20:38).