The Presiding Bishop of the Church

I got into my library, and unfortunately couldn't find the resource I was originally given. I did find some others though.

The best one comes from last year's RS/Priesthood manual Teachings of Presidents of the Church John Taylor




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quote:
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That the bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic priesthood, which is an appendage to the greater or Melchizedek priesthood [see D&C 107:14], and that no man has a legal right to hold the keys of the Aaronic priesthood, which presides over all bishops and all the lesser priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. But, that as a high priest of the Melchizedek priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop … if called, set apart, and ordained unto this power by the hands of the presidency of the Melchizedek priesthood. [See D&C 107:17.] link
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Note that this statement refers to "the keys of the Aaronic priesthood." The President of the Church holds the keys of the Melchizedek priesthood, and it makes sense that the Presiding Bishop would hold the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood. It is also of note that the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood "presides over all bishops and all the lesser priesthood." Surely this is in reference to the Presiding Bishop, and not rank and file bishops of wards who are the Presidents of Priest's Quorums (in addition to being presiding High Priest in the ward).

The idea that the Presiding Bishop is the President of the entire Aaronic priesthood is strengthened by this statement from Harold B. Lee:


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quote:
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Now to the Presiding Bishopric, there are two great divisions of the priesthood as spelled out in the 107th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood. The ecclesiastical title of those who head the Melchizedek Priesthood is the First Presidency, but their priesthood title is the Presidency of the High Priesthood of the Church. The title Presiding Bishopric is your ecclesiastical title, but your priesthood title is the Presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood of the whole Church. link
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I wish that there was a scripture somewhere that said "the literal descendant of Aaron thing applies only to the Presiding Bishop," but there just isn't. Doesn't it make sense though? The office of Presiding Bishop is essentially the same office Aaron held, and on down to John the Baptist his direct offspring held the rights to that office. It seems crazy to think that literal descendants of Aaron may be presiding over every ward in the Church one day.