D&C 20

As we review this "first handbook of instructions" of the Church, we learn the duties and responsibilities of the priesthood offices of the Church.  In these first instructions, we must understand that the title "Elder" used is in reference to any Melchizedek priesthood holder for even -

"...An apostle is an elder..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:38)

It appears any priesthood holder has the duty and responsibility to -

"...to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ."  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 20:59)   In the Aaronic priesthood, priests have authority to -   "...baptize, and administer the sacrament..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:46)   And -   "...also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:48)   Teachers and deacons seem to have the duty to assist priests in all their duties -   "But neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:58)   Those who hold the Melchizedek priesthood  have additional authority of -   "...the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:41)   "And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:43)   Which suggests to me "to confirm" would be to set apart or ordain other officers and callings in the Church. And to -   "...to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:39)   But what is of great importance in all this work is that this work is not done in secret but -   "No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of that church..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:65)   Or -   "Every president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder), bishop, high councilor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high council or general conference."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 20:67)   From the organization of the Church, there has always been an established order of things.