The Aaronic priesthood is the lesser of the two orders of priesthood recognized in the Latter Day Saint movement. The others are the Melchizedek priesthood and the rarely recognized Patriarchal priesthood. Unlike the Melchizedek priesthood, which is modeled after the authority of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles, or the Patriarchal priesthood, which is modeled after the authority of Abraham, the Aaronic priesthood is modeled after the priesthood of Aaron the Levite, the first high priest of the Hebrews, and his descendants. The Aaronic priesthood is thought to be a lesser or preparatory priesthood and an "appendage" of the more powerful Melchizedek priesthood.
William F. Cahoon was one of the youngest men to receive the Aaronic Priesthood during Joseph Smith's lifetime
Baptism in Mormonism
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In the Latter Day Saint movement, baptism is recognized as the first of several ordinances (rituals) of the gospel.
A young man baptizing a child into the LDS Church in Panama
Mormon baptism
Baptismal font in the Salt Lake Temple, c. 1912, where baptisms for the dead are performed by the LDS Church