Setting apart is a ritual or priesthood action in

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and the ...

where a person is formally blessed to carry out a specific calling or responsibility in the church. Once a person has accepted the responsibility of holding a church calling and has been accepted by the members for that position, one or more Melchizedek priesthood holders "set apart" the person to serve in that calling. The priesthood holders accomplish this by giving the person a

priesthood blessing A priesthood blessing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restoratio ...

by the

laying on of hands The laying on of hands is a religious practice. In Judaism, ''semikhah'' (, "leaning f the hands) accompanies the conferring of a blessing or authority. In Christianity, Christian churches, chirotony. is used as both a symbolic and formal met ...

. If the recipient is being set apart as a president of a priesthood

quorum A quorum is the minimum number of members of a group necessary to constitute the group at a meeting. In a deliberative assembly (a body that uses parliamentary procedure, such as a legislature), a quorum is necessary to conduct the business of ...

, including a stake president or a

bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...

, "priesthood keys" are also conferred upon them. Generally, only general authorities and local leaders of stakes, wards, missions,

districts A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions ...

, and branches may set apart a member to serve in a position.LDS Church (2006). ''

Church Handbook of Instructions The ''General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'' is an on-line book of instructions and policies for leaders and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The contents are prepared ...

, Book 1: Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church) pp. 47–58. When a person is released from serving in a calling, there is no ordinance comparable to setting apart that is used to signify the end of a person's service. A setting apart is different from a priesthood ordination. A person is ''ordained'' to a specific priesthood office, such as

apostle An apostle (), in its literal sense, is an emissary. The word is derived from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (''apóstolos''), literally "one who is sent off", itself derived from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (''apostéllein''), "to se ...

, elder,

high priest The term "high priest" usually refers either to an individual who holds the office of ruler-priest, or to one who is the head of a religious organisation. Ancient Egypt In ancient Egypt, a high priest was the chief priest of any of the many god ...

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...

, but a person is ''set apart'' to callings such as counselor in the

First Presidency Among many churches in the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency (also known as the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is the highest presiding or governing body. Present-day denominations of the movement led by a First Presidency ...

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles President of the Quorum of the Twelve (also President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President of the Council of Twelve Apostles, and President of the Twelve) is a leadership position that exists in some of the churches of the Latter Day Sa ...

, stake president,

temple president Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of a church temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity. ...

mission president Mission president is a Priesthood (LDS Church), priesthood leadership position in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). A mission president presides over a geographic area known as a Mission (LDS Church), mission and the M ...

, high councilor, or member of a quorum presidency or auxiliary organization presidency (such as the

Relief Society The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, United States, and has more than 7 million members in over 1 ...

Sunday School ] A Sunday school, sometimes known as a Sabbath school, is an educational institution, usually Christianity, Christian in character and intended for children or neophytes. Sunday school classes usually precede a Sunday church service and are u ...

). A bishop must be ordained to the priesthood offices of high priest and bishop ''and'' is then set apart as the bishop of a specific ward. A stake Patriarch (Latter Day Saints), patriarch is ordained to the priesthood office of patriarch ''and'' is then set apart as the patriarch of a specific stake.

Notes

References

* * * * * * {{citation , first= Dennis L. , last= Thompson , authorlink= Thomas L. Thompson , url= https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/EoM/id/4391/show/4190 , title= Setting Apart , journal= Encyclopedia of Mormonism , publisher= Brigham Young University , date=June 1992 Latter Day Saint ordinances, rituals, and symbolism Latter Day Saint terms