Changing our policy on processing Melchizedek Priesthood ordinations

17 June 2020

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

Last week we were notified by President M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, that all stake conferences and leadership meetings up to Nov. 1 are now cancelled. There is a possibility we will be able to live stream stake conference, but for now we are not authorized to meet in-person.

As you already know, General Conference in October also will be held remotely as it was in April.

In light of these developments, we have decided as a stake presidency to no longer delay the conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood to worthy candidates you feel to recommend. This applies to both young men, who recently graduated from high school, as well as prospective elders, whom you’ve been preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.

The steps for processing ordinations are:

1. Bishop or branch president conducts a thorough worthiness interview when you feel the candidate is ready.

2. If you find the candidate is worthy and desires to enter into this special covenant (D&C 84:33-42), complete and submit the online recommendation form.

3. A member of the stake presidency will then conduct an interview and make a recommendation to the stake presidency.

4. If found worthy and ready, the stake presidency will submit the recommendation for a sustaining vote by the Stake High Council during a regularly scheduled HC meeting.

5. Once sustained by the HC, a high councilor will be assigned to arrange for and oversee the ordination at the candidate’s home or other appropriate location.

The ordinations will be ratified at the first appropriate in-person stake meeting, 

We look to you to decide when a brother is ready to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. Please submit the recommendation at least one week before a scheduled High Council meeting to give the stake presidency time to conduct an interview with the candidate and discuss as a presidency.

We look forward to receiving from you priesthood ordination recommendations of worthy and willing candidates.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency