**Priesthood Defined.** The Church is composed of eternal, intelligent beings, moving onward in eternal progression, who have accepted God's plan of salvation. It is God's Church. God directs the work of his children on earth, and he naturally gives attention to the Church. Nevertheless, although God is the directing intelligence, he is not here in person, nor are other superior beings sent to take charge of the work, for that would be contrary to the law that through his free agency and by self-effort, man on earth must move onward and upward. Therefore, that the earth-work may be done authoritatively, God has delegated the necessary authority to man. The Priesthood is simply the name given this authority. The body of the Priesthood consists of the persons who have received this authority and who may act for God, on earth, in matters pertaining to the Church or to themselves. Without authority from God, there can be no Priesthood. **Divisions of the Priesthood.** Much work is to be done in the Church, and the work differs greatly, for man's life is complex. Consequently, many and varied are the labors that must be directed and supported by the Priesthood. To accomplish the work well, there must be a division of labor--the fundamental characteristic of all orderly work. There are two great divisions of the Priesthood, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek, each of which possesses special authority. Each of these divisions is again sub-divided. These divisions and subdivisions are all necessary for the complete exercise of the Priesthood in the Church. One great division of the Priesthood of God, the Aaronic Priesthood, is named after Aaron, the brother of Moses, a famous leader in this priesthood. It is the Lesser Priesthood, really only an appendage of the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood. To the Aaronic Priesthood is assigned, particularly, the temporal work of the Church, but it also has authority to preach, teach and baptize. The Melchizedek Priesthood, named after the great high priest Melchizedek, is the higher division of the Priesthood, and includes the Aaronic Priesthood. It holds the keys of spiritual authority and has the right to officiate under proper direction in all the affairs of the Church. The subdivisions of these Priesthoods make it possible to group, simply and properly, the duties of the members of the Church.