Mormons believe in—Priesthood Authority

{Article of Faith #4} teaches the importance of the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. But we have to ask: Who performs those ordinances? If we are trying to follow Christ's example, we must consider the manner in which Christ was baptized:

Jesus sought out John the Baptist to baptize Him. Why couldn't just anyone baptize Jesus? John the Baptist himself asked the Lord why He came to him. Christ answered him, "for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). If Jesus Christ, the Son of God knew it was important to be baptized by someone who had the proper authority—and John had the authority to baptize—then we must seek after the same!

Where does this authority come from?
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (John 15:16) Christ chose and then ordained his apostles to His priesthood, through the laying on of hands as depicted in this picture. The authority, or permission, to preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances come from God, through His son Jesus Christ, who is also known as The High Priest (Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 3:1-6). Jesus in turn gave authority to His twelve apostles (Luke 9:1-2). This is why they were able to heal the sick, cast out devils, perform miracles, preach the gospel, administer ordinances, and so on.

Why is the correct authority an important aspect of the Gospel? 
This short anecdote helps illustrate the necessity of proper authority:
Let's say that I'm driving down the high way at 100 miles per hour and my neighbor Jo pulls up alongside me, waves me down, and gets me to pull over on the side of the road. He then begins to write me a ticket for speeding and asks me to pay a fine. Jo is not a policeman. He's just my neighbor. He doesn't have the authority to penalize me for breaking the law. He doesn't know the proper procedures. And why doesn't he have the authority? Because he has not been trained and educated, and then given the proper permission by people with the authority to do so, to be a police officer. If just anyone could say, "I'm a police officer!" think of the chaos and confusion that would inevitably ensue.

Our country, even with imperfect people, uses laws and correct authority to govern its people and create order. The Kingdom of God is led by God. "Mine house is a house of Order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:8). He is perfect, His laws are perfect, and His authority is perfect. He gives us laws, and then chooses men to use the proper authority, in the building of His Kingdom.

Continue reading: {Article of Faith #6} How is Christ's Church organized?