Patriarchal Priesthood: Encyclopedia II - Patriarchal Priesthood - The Patriarchal Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Patriarchal Priesthood - The Patriarchal Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not recognize a Patriarchal order of priesthood separate from the Melchizedek Priesthood. After the death of Hyrum Smith in 1843, his position as Presiding Patriarch was passed among Hyrum's descendents until 1979, when the Church placed the current Patriarch, Eldred G. Smith, on Emeritus Status, although he was not released from his position. The reasoning given was "because of the large increase in the number of Stake Patriarchs and the availability of patriarchal service throughout the world." Eldred G. Smith was designated "a Patriarch Emeritus, which means that he is honorably relieved of all duties and responsibilities pertaining to the office of Patriarch to the Church" (Conference Report Oct. 1979:25).

Since the office of Patriarch is a Priesthood office to which one is ordained and a General Authority position to which one is called, Eldred G. Smith's ordination remains valid even if the position is not currently filled. His son (and likely heir in the position) has written a controversial book that some feel is critical of the Church about placing the current patriarch on Emeritus status. At least on three occasions, someone has acted in the office of "Acting Patriarch of the Church" who is not in the specified lineage. The church has been silent to whether or not the position will be filled in the future.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The Patriarchal Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki