Priesthood age

[_Wisdom Seeker]

Has the restored church always given 12 year old boys the priesthood? What about the ancient church, were there 12 year old deacons then too? Is it also true that Jesus setup the first Relief Society?

[_just me]

Brigham Young is the one who started giving the aaronic priesthood to the younger boys. He actually gave one of his boys the priestood (melc?) at age 11. This same son went through the temple and was set apart as an apostle, I believe, by Brigham at that time.

Basically, the men had to have the Melc. PH to go to the temple, so it left not enough aaronic PH holders. Giving it to the younger boys was the solution.

I highly doubt that Jesus or the apostles gave the PH to 12 year old boys.
There is no evidence to suggest that Jesus set up a "Relief Society" in ancient times.

[_Phillip]

Has the restored church always given 12 year old boys the priesthood? What about the ancient church, were there 12 year old deacons then too? Is it also true that Jesus setup the first Relief Society?

No, deacons were adults. And technically the deacons were not viewed as having the 'priesthood' in the sense that the presbyters/bishops had it. The priesthood was associated with the authority to offer up the Eucharist (LDS sacrament) and was exclusive to the elders and bishops. From the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus (~200AD):

"When one ordains a deacon, he is chosen according to what has been said above, with only the bishop laying on his hand in the same manner. In the ordination of a deacon, only the bishop lays on his hand, because the deacon is not ordained to the priesthood, but to the service of the bishop, to do that which he commands. For he is not part of the council of the clergy, but acts as a manager, and reports to the bishop what is necessary. He does not receive the spirit common to the elders, which the elders share, but that which is entrusted to him under the bishop's authority. This is why only the bishop makes a deacon."

About an ancient Relief Society, there is no evidence that I am aware of. The closest thing would probably be groups of widows and virgins who devoted themselves to prayer and service. From Hippolytus again:

"When a widow is appointed, she is not ordained, but is chosen by name. If her husband has been dead a long time, she is appointed. If it has not been a long time since her husband died, she may not be trusted. If, however, she is old, let her be tested for a time. For often the passions grow old with those who give them a place in themselves. The widow is appointed by word alone, and then may join the rest of the widows. Do not lay hands upon her, for she does not offer the oblation, nor does she have a liturgical duty. Ordination is for the clergy because of liturgical duty. The widow is appointed because of prayer, which is a duty for all."

[_Wisdom Seeker]

There is no evidence to suggest that Jesus set up a "Relief Society" in ancient times.

While I agree there is no evidence to support it, the new book the church just released about Relief Society has a first chapter titled: Relief Society: A Restoration of an Ancient Pattern. Those women who attended their Relief Society pre-conference meeting were taught that Jesus established the Relief Society through Mary and Martha. They also seemed to reinforce the idea that all things established in the latter-day church was similar to what was established in the earlier church. Does this mean the followers of Christ during his time had to do their Home Teaching or Visiting Teaching?

[_just me]

There is no evidence to suggest that Jesus set up a "Relief Society" in ancient times.

While I agree there is no evidence to support it, the new book the church just released about Relief Society has a first chapter titled: Relief Society: A Restoration of an Ancient Pattern. Those women who attended their Relief Society pre-conference meeting were taught that Jesus established the Relief Society through Mary and Martha. They also seemed to reinforce the idea that all things established in the latter-day church was similar to what was established in the earlier church. Does this mean the followers of Christ during his time had to do their Home Teaching or Visiting Teaching?

Sure, why not. The earliest "visiting teaching" was actually the Relief Society sisters going around collecting dues. Maybe that is what Mary and Martha did, too. Why not?

If Relief Society is actually women listening to men and cooking them food and washing their feet, then yes, it is a restored ancient organization. LMAO

[_LDSToronto]

While I agree there is no evidence to support it, the new book the church just released about Relief Society has a first chapter titled: Relief Society: A Restoration of an Ancient Pattern. Those women who attended their Relief Society pre-conference meeting were taught that Jesus established the Relief Society through Mary and Martha. They also seemed to reinforce the idea that all things established in the latter-day church was similar to what was established in the earlier church. Does this mean the followers of Christ during his time had to do their Home Teaching or Visiting Teaching?

Sure, why not. The earliest "visiting teaching" was actually the Relief Society sisters going around collecting dues. Maybe that is what Mary and Martha did, too. Why not?

If Relief Society is actually women listening to men and cooking them food and washing their feet, then yes, it is a restored ancient organization. LMAO

At a recent dig site in the holy land, archeologists found what a appears to be pastel-coloured frocks, white doilies, and fake flower centrepieces.

H.