PRIESTHOOD LINE OF AUTHORITY
James Elwin Kerns who was ordained a High Priest 20 July 1980 by
Irvin Dale Wyatt, who was ordained a High Priest 20 November 1955 by
LeGrand Richards, who was ordained an Apostle 10 April 1952 by
David O. McKay, who was ordained an Apostle 9 April 1906 by
Joseph F. Smith, who was ordained an Apostle 1 July 1866 by
Brigham Young, who was ordained an Apostle 14 February 1835 by
The Three Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris.
The Three Witnesses were called by revelation to choose the Twelve Apostles and
on 14 February 1835 were “blessed by the laying on of the hands of the
Presidency,” Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, to
ordain the Twelve Apostles, (History of the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 187-188).
Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery received the Melchizedek Priesthood in
1829 under the hands of Peter, James and John.
Peter, James and John were ordained Apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 15:16).