The
Aaronic priesthood (; also called the
priesthood of Aaron or the
Levitical priesthood) is the lesser of the two (or sometimes three) 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
descendents. The Aaronic priesthood is thought to be a lesser or preparatory priesthood and an "appendage" of the more powerful Melchizedek priesthood.