If the Lord calls you to be a HP then you are a high priest. If the Lord calls you to be an Elder then you are an Elder.

If you are a visiting non member or. 20 or 40 year old priest…and the bell rings to go to Priesthood meeting you should be welcomed wherever your feet take you. Why should it be different for any elder who wants to go to HP or an HP who wants to hang out in EQ.

Im not saying that I recommend any Priesthood holder ever to RS…but when my father was an investigator his feet followed my mother to RS and I’m sure it didn’t get in the way of his conversion.

In our stake, they would have simply made him a high priest.

So here’s my comment: My father was asked/instructed many times through his LDS career to begin attending the HPG beginning in his 40’s. His reply was always simply this, “If you want me to attend the HPG, then ordain me a HP.” Other than this, my father never turned down or asked to be released from a calling and always magnified his faithfully, and taught his 6 children to do the same. I will most likely repeat his response if the situation arises. At about the age of 65 he was called as the HPGL in his ward. Finally they were ready to ordain him a HP. He died at the age of 72 of Pancreatic Cancer.

I’ve been a an EQP for two years and have had the HPG snag Elders from the EQ when we were dwindling to just 4-5 besides myself on Sundays. I had to get pretty vocal about it before things started reversing. A BP change was helpful but one member of the EQ was a 51 yo Priest just baptised and ushered into the HPG without so much as a whisper to me. I’m 52 now and the former EQP is 52. We also have a couple others in their 50’s. It seems to be a hush hush affair, and it seems like “they” have a vote as to who they invite into the HPG. The Priest was returned eventually and I was able to have his HT prepare him for the MP which he received recently. The BP made all the difference to me as he leaned on me for my thoughts about the matter.

I focus heavily on the aspect we are to act in a manner that gives priority to the Spirit and bless those we are serving for Him. While there is much ambiguity between the Quorums, we are given plenty of “rope” in decision making, but we can only get closer to our God by sustaining our leaders after all we can say/ask of them in private. Our individual “straight and narrow path” demands it of us. In my opinion of course.

You should talk with the stake and see what he says about it, also if you have been there since you were 24 iam sure people may think you are a high priest already.

If you’re acting like a high priest, I don’t see why you can’t be made a high priest. It seems odd your bishop would want you to pretend to be one but not make you one.

It’s okay for you to figure this out. Be obedient, and maybe ask a few questions.

I think you are quite right just obeying what your leaders have asked you to do. I think it might have been handled a little better by them, I know there are a number of 40 somethings who don’t feel “that old” while others take it (even as Elders not ordained as high priests) as somewhat a badge of honor to be in High Priests group associated with those who have held leadership positions.
In my own case, I’m 51 and talked with both my EQ pres and HP group leader, they indicated for me to just do what my heart directs me to do–I’m welcome either place. That feels nice! and I’m ready to move on to HP

I am surprised your leadership is going at it that way. Unless you are a 70 year old Elder or something…but frankly, you should just go when YOU feel ready to go, or, if you get a leadership calling in the ward or stake in which you must be ordained a High Priest, then, of course, it’s time to go. The church has a policy in place of letting the “older men” meet with the High priests if they desire and of course talk with the Bishop or HP group leader and their Elder’s quorum president. Depending on ward and priesthood populations of course and what is determined is needed priesthood wise…