THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
"There are, in the church, two Priesthoods, namely, the Melchisedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchisedek Priesthood, is because Melchisedek was such a great High Priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. * * * All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this Priesthood;" Doc. & Cov. 107. 1-5.
In the ordinances of this Priesthood "The power of Godliness is manifest; and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;" 84. 20, 21.
This Priesthood, or Order of the Son of God. is "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;" Heb. 7. 3. Its authority and powers have ever existed, and there has never been wanting intelligences to manifest them through its ordinances.
"This greater Priesthood administereth the Gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God;" Doc. & Cov. 84. 19. That this passage refers to a personal knowledge of God is evident from verse 22, "For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live." This is a distinct line drawn between the two Priesthoods.
That man could not attain to the knowledge which would admit him to the presence of God, without the Melchisedek Priesthood, "Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence, therefore the Lord in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory. Therefore he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;" verses 23-25.
The Latter-day Saints have this Priesthood, with its authority, ordinances and blessings. How they have obtained it, is a very important question. Peter was the chief of the apostles, in the Gospel dispensation, from which we understand that the Presidency of the Melchisedek Priesthood, in that dispensation, was vested in him, and that it was through him that its succession could be again restored to the earth. We find that in June, 1829, a revelation was given, making known the calling of a Council of Twelve Apostles; Doc & Cov. 18. 27.
It is evident that between the fifteenth of May, 1829, and the time when this revelation was given, in June following, Joseph Smith, Jun., O. Cowdery, and D. Whitmer were called to the Melchisedek Priesthood. For the Lord, speaking to O. Cowdery and D. Whitmer, said, "I speak unto you, even as unto Paul mine apostle, for you are called even with the same calling with which he was called;" verse 9.
While Joseph Smith, Jun., is not mentioned here as an apostle, we have the information in a revelation given April, 1830, that he was the first apostle and elder of this church, "Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ, to be the FIRST ELDER of this church; and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the SECOND ELDER of this church, and ordained under his hand;" Doc. & Cov. 20. 2, 3.
We are informed in sec. 27. 12, under date of September, 1830, who ordained them; "And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry, and of the same things which I revealed unto them."
The presidency of Peter, James and John are plainly asserted in the above passages; the thirteenth verse, with the context, informs us that they bestowed the presidency of this dispensation on Joseph Smith and others: "Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the Gospel for the last time; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth." We are informed that these primitive apostles also testified that they held this presidency of the Melchisedek Priesthood: "The voice of Peter, James and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times;" 128. 20.
In the thirty-seventh verse of sec. 18, the Lord designated O. Cowdery and D. Whitmer as two men he had chosen to search out the then future Twelve, whom the Lord declares, in the twenty-seventh verse were already called. This selection, of the Council of Twelve Apostles, was not made until February 14, 1835, over five years afterwards.
The most comprehensive evidence that Joseph Smith. Jun., received the authority and power of the Holy Priesthood, is that the works of John the Baptist, of Jesus and his apostles, are being again done on the earth by his administration. To receive the powers of this Priesthood, it is necessary that men should obey the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
The Lord has personally appeared to some men, and covenanted with them as he did with Abraham; Gen. 12. 1-3. chap. 13. 14-17. The Lord also personally called and authorized his twelve Jewish apostles. So fully were they authorized to labor for him, and act in his name, that he said to them, "He that receiveth you receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me;" Matt. 10. 40.
More generally, it is from the prophets and apostles of Christ that men receive the Priesthood. Many received it under the hands of the apostles of the first Gospel dispensation. Those who have received it in this latter-day dispensation, have received it from Joseph Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery, and, in doing so, have received it through a legitimate channel from God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. Those who have received this Priesthood have covenanted with God the Father, and he with them. This is evidently the view taken of the subject in the above passage quoted from Matthew.
The doctrine is more fully illustrated in Doc. & Cov.: "All they who receive this Priesthood receiveth me, saith the Lord; for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; and he that receiveth my Father, receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him; and this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the Priesthood;" 84. 35-39.
Bible.
Gen. 14. 18, 20 Melchisedek, king of Salem, blessed Abraham. Heb. 7. 1, 2.
Psalm 110. 4 thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek. Heb. 5. 6, 10. Chap. 6. 20.
Acts 14. 23 and when they had ordained them elders in every church.
20. 17 sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church.
Titus 1. 5 and ordain elders in every city.
Heb. 2 17 a faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
3. 1 the Apostle and High Priest of our profession.
4. 14 a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God.
15 not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
5. 1 every high priest taken from among men is ordained. 8. 3.
8. 1, 2 Jesus Christ an high priest, and minister of the sanctuary. 3, 5.
10. 19-21 boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
Book of Mormon.
Mos. 29. 42 the office of high priest conferred on Alma by his father.
Alma 4. 4 Alma high priest over the church. 20. Chap. 5. 3, 49, 51.
6. 1 ordained priests and elders according to the holy order of God. 8.
13. 1, 2. ordained priests after the order of his Son, that the people might know how to look forward to the redemption of his Son.
3 Nephi 18. 5 one ordained to bless bread, and break it.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 18. 27-39 duty of the Twelve Apostles to preach the Gospel.
21. 1 J. Smith, Jun., to be called a seer, translator, prophet and apostle.
10, 11 J. Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery ordain each other.
27. 5-11 personages who held important keys of the Priesthood, in former dispensations.
28. 2 none to receive revelations for the church but J. Smith, Jun.
Sec. 102. organization of the first High Council of the church.
106. 1 W. A. Cowdery appointed and ordained a presiding high priest.
107. 33 the Twelve are a traveling presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord under the direction of the Presidency of the church agreeable to the institution of heaven to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations; first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews.
Pearl of Great Price.
Page 26. Abraham became a high priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.
28. Pharaoh was of that lineage which could not have the right of Priesthood.
Miscellaneous Passages.
John 15. 16 ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.
1 Cor. 5. 5 offenders to be delivered to Satan by the Priesthood.
2 Cor. 5. 20 now then we are embassadors for Christ.
Heb. 5. 4 no man taketh this honor, but he that is called of God.
7. 15-28 another priest who is made after the power of endless lives.
9. 11-28 Christ the great sacrifice, the Mediator of the New Testament.
10. 19-21 boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus.
1 Peter 2. 5 an Holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices. 25.
Rev. 1. 6 and hath made us kings and priests unto God. 5. 10. Chap. 20. 6.
7. 3 sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.
Book of Mormon.
2 Nephi 6. 2 called of God and ordained after his holy order.
Mos. 3. 23 I have spoken what the Lord hath commanded me.
23. 16, 17 none received authority to teach except from God.
Alma 7. 22 ye may walk after the holy order of God. Chap 8. 4.
13. 3 being called and prepared, from the foundation of the world.
5-20 calling, foreordination and eternal duration of the Priesthood.
17. 3 they taught with power and authority from God.
18 Ammon imparted the word of God to his brethren.
49. 30 word of God declared by those ordained after the holy order of God.
Hel. 8. 18 many before Abraham who were called by the order of God. Ether 12. 10.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Lecture on Faith, Sec. 2. genealogy of the Priesthood from Adam to Abraham.
Sec. 1. 17, 18 J. Smith, Jun., authorized to declare the Gospel, that the prophets might be fulfilled.
30 that they might have power to organize the true church.
2. 1, 2 the Priesthood to be revealed by Elijah.
19. 9 I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing.
29. 4 ye are chosen out of the world to declare my Gospel.
35. 18 the keys of those things that have been sealed, given to J. Smith, Jun.
42. 11 ordination to be done by one having authority.
65 unto you is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom. 69.
64. 5 the keys of the kingdom not to be taken from J. Smith, Jun.
68. 2 this is an ensample to all who were ordained to this Priesthood.
72. 1 the kingdom and power given to the high priests of the church.
77. 11 those to be sealed out of the tribes of Israel are high priests. Rev. 7. 4-8.
78. 1 hearken to me you who are ordained to the High Priesthood.
84. 6-16 lineage of the Priesthood from the sons of Moses back to Adam.
25, 26 the Lord took Moses and the Holy Priesthood from the midst of Israel.
29 offices of elder and bishop necessary appendages to the Melchisedek Priesthood.
33, 34 those faithful to the obtaining of these two Priesthoods, become the sons of Moses and Aaron.
86. 8 saith the Lord to you with whom the Priesthood hath continued. 10, 11.
113. 8 the strength of Zion is the power of the Priesthood.
121. 21 neither they nor their posterity shall have a right to the Priesthood.
36-45 the necessity of exercising the powers of the Priesthood in meekness.
124. 33, 34 temples necessary for the purposes of the holy Priesthood.
91-95 H. Smith clothed with the same Priesthood and gifts as were once bestowed on O. Cowdery.
123 the offices and keys of the Priesthood, on J. Smith, Jun.
124 H. Smith holds the sealing blessings of the church.
135-145 instructions concerning various quorums.
127. 8 the Lord about to restore many things pertaining to the Priesthood.
128. 8 nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the Priesthood.
132. 44 then shall you have power by my Holy Priesthood to take her.
58 many things pertaining to the law of the Priesthood.
Pearl of Great Price.
Page 13. the same Priesthood, in the beginning and end of the world.
17. thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days.
23. and the Lord ordained Noah after his order.
29. the seed of Abraham to bear this mission and Priesthood to all nations.