36. For what wise purpose were they attached to Mormon's abridgment?
37. What difference in style of composition is noticeable between these "smaller plates" and Mormon's abridgment?
38. What can you say of the transcribed passages from the brass plates?
39. What direct means exists for testing the truth of the Book of Mormon?
SECTION II.
1. The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.—While engaged in the work of translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph and Oliver found reference made in the record to baptism for the remission of sins; and on the 15th of May, 1829, they went into the woods to inquire of the Lord about it. While thus engaged a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light and announced himself to be John, the same that is called the Baptist,[[10]] in the New Testament. He placed his hands upon the heads of Joseph and Oliver and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood.[[11]] He explained that this priesthood held the keys of the ministration of angels, the gospel of repentance and of baptism for the remission of sins, but had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. He promised them also that the priesthood he then conferred upon them should never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. [See note 1, end of section.]
2. John stated that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood, which he said would in due time be conferred upon them. He then commanded Joseph to baptize Oliver, and afterwards Oliver to baptize Joseph.[[12]] After their baptism they were both filled with the spirit of prophecy and predicted many things concerning the rise and progress of the work. The angel also commanded them to each re-ordain the other to the Priesthood—Joseph to first ordain Oliver, and afterwards Oliver to ordain Joseph. To this commandment they were obedient, and thus the Aaronic Priesthood, the power from God which gives the right to those who receive it to preach repentance and to administer baptism for the remission of sins, was restored to men.
3. For a season, doubtless in order to avoid persecution, which constantly increased in bitterness, Joseph and Oliver kept their baptism and ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood a secret; but as men's minds were wrought upon to inquire after the truth, they at last let it be known that they had received authority to baptize for the remission of sins, and a number of people received the ordinance at their hands.
4. Restoration of the Melchisedek Priesthood.—Some time in June, 1829,[[13]] the promise made by John the Baptist to Joseph and Oliver, at the time he conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon them—viz., that they should receive the higher or Melchisedek Priesthood, was fulfilled. This Priesthood was conferred upon them by Peter, James and John, probably in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna River.[[14]] [See note 2, end of section] It is quite evident from the prominence given to these three apostles in the New Testament, that they held the keys of this Priesthood; and that of the three Peter was the chief. To him the Lord said: "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."[[15]] It was eminently proper therefore that these three apostles should be the ones to restore to the earth the Melchisedek Priesthood by conferring the apostleship upon Joseph and Oliver.