Moroni describes the way elders performed priesthood ordinations in the church following the Savior’s visit:
- They began with prayer.
- They laid their hands on the person.
- They recited a specific blessing.
- The ordination was performed “according to the gifts and callings of God” and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Chapter Outline
- Instructions for ordaining priests and teachers (v. 1-4)
My Takeaways
- Look for the ways you can use your unique gifts to bless and serve other people.
- Callings and priesthood offices bring order into the church, our families, and our lives.
- We need the guidance and companionship of the Holy Ghost to do God’s work effectively.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Ordaining priests and teachers – Moroni 3:1-4
What Does It Mean to Be Ordained?
We generally think of order as a good thing and its opposite—disarray, mismanagement, or chaos—as a bad thing. Most of us work hard to organize our lives and to fulfill our responsibilities in an orderly way. Furthermore, when we participate in an organization, we want to see evidence that things have been thought through, that…
What Is a Priest?
The Bible Dictionary explains that a priest is a mediator between his people and God. The priest fulfills this role by: Performing religious ceremonies (ordinances) Preaching the gospel Receiving revelation on behalf of the people, and Blessing the people in the name of the Lord At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, religious observance…
Repentance and Remission of Sins
Moroni tells us that priests were charged with preaching “repentance and remission of sins.” Repentance is an invitation; remission of sins is an assurance. Because of Jesus, we can let our old selves go. We don’t have to be burdened by our sins any more.
What Are “Gifts and Callings of God?”
Near the end of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni provides a mini-handbook for how to administer the church. Among other things, he explains how priesthood authority is given, how to bless the sacrament, and how to conduct church meetings. In his discussion of priesthood authority, he uses the phrase “gifts and callings:” And…
They Ordained Them by the Power of the Holy Ghost – Moroni 3:4
4 And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them. (Moroni 3:4) Moroni reminds us in this verse that we cannot fulfill priesthood responsibilities alone. Since priesthood is the…
Old Testament Foundations
When I Called
The book of Isaiah ends on a happy note: a new heaven and a new earth, with joy and peace among those who have been faithful to God. But the text is also tinged with sorrow for those who have not been faithful. Twice, the Lord utters the following lament: “When I called, ye did not…
New Testament Parallels
Gifts and Callings
We all have capabilities (gifts), and we all have opportunities to serve (callings). The apostle Paul encouraged the members of the church in Ancient Rome to be patient with their friends who were non-believers. Perhaps these friends were not currently using their gifts and fulfilling their callings, but “the gifts and calling of God are…
Church History Connections
“Preach Nothing Save It Were Repentance” – Mosiah 18:20
When Alma organized the church at the waters of Mormon, he ordained priests to teach the people. What were they to teach? The same things he had taught, and the same things prophets before him had taught: “He commanded that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had…
Gifts and Callings – Moroni 3:4
Near the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni describes how priesthood authority was given. After explaining the process, he adds two significant points: It was done “according to the gifts and callings of God unto men.” It was done “by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 3:4). When Joseph Smith was instructed to…
Priesthood Power
Authority gives us permission to do something. Power gives us the ability to do it. Priests and teachers were ordained anciently “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery experienced spiritual gifts and power when they received the priesthood and were baptized. We also need to seek to receive God’s priesthood…
All Posts Referencing Moroni 3
- Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20 (3/14/2025)
- Priesthood Power (2/20/2025)
- Repentance and Remission of Sins (12/5/2024)
- Songs, Sermons, Lessons, and Prayers (9/5/2023)
- When I Called (10/9/2022)
- Gifts and Callings (3/5/2021)
- “Preach Nothing Save It Were Repentance” – Mosiah 18:20 (2/3/2021)
- Gifts and Callings – Moroni 3:4 (12/3/2020)
- What Is a “Remission” of Your Sins? (4/23/2020)
- What Is an Elder? (11/10/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be Ordained? (11/8/2019)
- What Is a Priest? (11/4/2019)
- What Are “Gifts and Callings of God?” (9/14/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Endure to the End? (5/14/2019)
- The Gifts and Callings of God – Moroni 3:4 (11/28/2018)
- By the Endurance of Faith on His Name – Moroni 3:3 (6/24/2017)
- The Endurance of Faith – Moroni 3:3, 8:3 (12/28/2015)
- They Ordained Them by the Power of the Holy Ghost – Moroni 3:4 (12/22/2015)
- Moroni 3:4 According to the Gifts and Callings of God Unto Men (12/25/2014)