The lesser priesthood (Heb. 7: 11-12; D&C 107: 13-14). Its offices are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon (D&C 84: 30; 107: 10, 14-15, 87-88). Anciently, under the law of Moses, there were high priests, priests, and Levites. The Aaronic Priesthood was revealed to Moses because the ancient Israelites rebelled against God. They refused to be sanctified and receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and its ordinances (D&C 84: 23-25). The Aaronic Priesthood deals with the temporal and outward ordinances of the law and the gospel (1 Chr. 23: 27-32; D&C 84: 26-27; 107: 20). It holds the keys of the ministering of angels, of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism (D&C 13). The Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the earth in this dispensation on 15 May 1829. John the Baptist conferred it on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on the banks of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania (D&C 13; JS-H 1: 68-73).

And he shall have the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, Num. 25: 13. The Lord shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them, Mal. 3: 3 (3 Ne. 24: 3). No man taketh this honor unto himself, Heb. 5: 4. Perfection does not come by the Levitical Priesthood, Heb. 7: 11. This priesthood shall never be taken from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer an offering, D&C 13: 1. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained unto the Aaronic Priesthood, D&C 27: 8. The lesser priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels, D&C 84: 26 (D&C 13: 1). There are two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, D&C 107: 1. The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, D&C 107: 13.