Priesthood Line of Authority
Thousands of ordinances are performed weekly throughout the Church. These ordinances are to be performed by priesthood holders who have been properly ordained and properly authorized by one who has the keys to authorize the ordinance under the direction of the prophet. Therefore, a priesthood authority line traces a priesthood holder’s authority from the person ordaining him back to the Lord (D&C 42:11)
Steven John Cottrell was ordained a High Priest March 3, 2002 by David J Cottrell
David John Cottrell was ordained a High Priest February 11, 1973 by Peter J Crockford
Peter James Crockford was ordained a High Priest February 11, 1973 by Peter L Morley
Peter Leonard Morley was ordained a High Priest August 29, 1962 by William Bates
William Bates was ordained a High Priest March 27, 1960 by Harold B Lee
Harold Bingham Lee was ordained an Apostle April 10, 1941 by Heber J Grant
Heber Jeddy Grant was ordained an Apostle October 16, 1882 by George Q Cannon
George Quayle Cannon was ordained an Apostle August 26, 1860 by Brigham Young
Brigham Young was ordained an Apostle February 14, 1835 under the hands of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon: Oliver Cowdrey, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris
The Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon were called by revelation to choose the Twelve Apostles and on February 14, 1835 were "blessed by the laying on of hands of the Presidency", [Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon and Fredrick G Williams] to ordain the Twelve Apostles. (History of the Church, vol. 2 pp. 187-188)
Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdrey received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1829 under the hands of Peter, James and John and were ordained Apostles by them. (Doctrine and Covenants 27:12, 20:2-3)
Peter, James and John were ordained Apostles by The Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:13-14, John 15:16)