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 by the
laying on of hands. If the recipient is being set apart as a president of a priesthood
quorum, 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, and
branches may set apart a member to serve in a position.
[LDS Church (2006). '' Church Handbook of Instructions, 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,
elder,
high priest or
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,
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
stake president,
temple president,
mission president,
high councilor, or member of a quorum presidency or
auxiliary organization presidency (such as the
Relief Society or
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
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Latter Day Saint ordinances, rituals, and symbolism
Latter Day Saint terms
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