High Priest

High Priest is an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Adam and all the patriarchs were high priests (D&C 107: 53; Abr. 1: 2).

Under the law of Moses, the presiding officer of the Aaronic Priesthood was called the high priest. The office was hereditary and came through the firstborn among the family of Aaron, Aaron himself being the first high priest of the Aaronic order.

Currently in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) a High Priest is also a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Ordination to the office of High Priest generally occurs when a man is called to serve as either a bishop, stake president, counselor to these men, as a member of the Stake High Council or in other circumstances deemed appropriate by the stake president, who also serves as President of the High Priests Quorum, with his counselors serving as counselors in the High Priests Quorum presidency.

In addition, each ward within the stake has a High Priests Group from whom a leader is called by the stake president. That group leader then selects two assistants, along with a secretary, who then assist him in managing the affairs of the group, to including home teaching and other responsibilities delegated by the bishop, who is the Presiding High Priest within a ward.