"What is Priesthood?"

This morning my companion and I were teaching a woman about baptism and how it must be performed with proper authority or otherwise known as the Priesthood.  Naturally she responded by asking, "What is Priesthood?"

"The authority and power of God.  God gives this power to man to act in His name."  Because we cannot be saved without God's help, He has given His children Priesthood to act according to our needs within His will.  It was by the Priesthood that John baptized Jesus; that Jesus Christ organized his Church on the earth; that Peter, James and John lead the church after Christ's death and by that same authority that Christ's original church has been restored to the earth.  

Who holds the Priesthood?
 All worthy men (ages 12 and up) who have been baptized a member of Christ's church.

How do men get the priesthood?
After they have been deemed worthy by other authorized Priesthood holders, those same men lay their hands on the head of the man receiving the priesthood and confer upon them with a specific prayer the Priesthood.

What do they do with the Priesthood?
These men help lead the church and serve Heavenly Father's children.  Some are expected to lead congregations of the Church, perform the ordinances of the Church, such as baptism and to bless those who are sick.  "God expects those who hold this sacred priesthood authority to follow the example of Jesus Christ and serve with love, gentleness, and kindness."

For anymore information, please check out this website that explains more fully the history of the Priesthood and the role it has played in establishing God's church among His people:
History of the Church and Priesthood