Loading ...Priesthood Expounded: Ervil LeBaron
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
The Principles of Succession
in
Priesthood Authority
and
the True Pattern
of
Priesthood Government
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When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to
receive it, he will be damned.
To become a joint heir of the heirship of the Son, one must put
away all his false traditions. Joseph Smith
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the
household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly;
then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the
doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from
heaven. D&C 121:45
*******
Originally Published by the Mexican Mission
Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times
August 1956
The Office of the Firstborn
by
William P. Tucker
has been added to this edition.
Arranged into Section and Verse
by
Elder Thomas J. Liddiard
March 1988
Revised edition published by
Harvard Pratt Stubbs
1990
PREFACE
One of the grandest themes and the most important subjects spoken of in
holy writ is the fulfillment of the covenant, in the latter days, which the
Eternal Father has made to the house of Israel. This covenant is repeatedly
referred to throughout holy writ. The Bible prophets, the Book of Mormon
prophets, as well as the modern prophets, have prophesied concerning this
great event. But what does this covenant consist of and what do we have in
holy writ by which we might know when it will be fulfilled? Upon this subject
we have the following from the pen of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
The time has at last arrived when the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and
of Jacob, has set his hand again the second time to recover the remnants
of his people, which have been left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and
from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from
Hamath, and from the islands of the sea, and with them to bring in the
fulness of the Gentiles, and establish that covenant with them, which
was promised when their sins should be taken away. See Isaiah 11; Romans
11:25, 26 and 27, and also Jeremiah 31:31, 32 and 33. This covenant has
never been established with the house of Israel, nor with the house of
Judah, for it requires two parties to make a covenant, and those two
parties must be agreed, or no covenant can be made. (TPJS p. 14; DHC
1:313)
Here the Prophet gives us three important quotations and tells us plainly
that they pertain to the same event. The first quotation, the 11th chapter of
Isaiah, is of such importance that the Lord has given us a special revelation
explaining it, found in Section 113 of the Doctrine and Covenants. We will here
quote the verses that the Prophet most directly alludes to:
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand
for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest
shall be glorious.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his
hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which
shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from
Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar and from Hamath, and from the
islands of the sea.
And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble
the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from
the four corners of the earth. (Isa. 11:1012)
The second passage the Prophet here refers us to is preceded by Paul’s
explanations concerning the parable of the olive tree and the grafting in of
the Gentiles. We give the quotation:
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceit; that blindness in
part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come
in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall
come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their
sins. (Rom. 11:2527)
Here Paul tells us plainly what the covenant is, and that it was to be
fulfilled when the fulness of the Gentiles be come in or in other words, when
the Gentiles are cut off and Israel is grafted back in.
In the 45th section of the Doctrine and Covenants the times of the
Gentiles in the latter days are signalized by the light of the gospel
breaking forth among them; and in verses 24 and 25 of that section the
fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles is signalized by the gathering of
the Jews. The Savior tells us in III Nephi 16:4, 5 that the time when God
would fulfill his covenant to the whole house of Israel would be signalized
by the gathering of the Jews.
The third abovementioned reference given by the Prophet concerning this
covenant is as follows:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the
day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;
which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith
the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and
they shall be my people. (Jer. 31:3133)
April 3, 1956, marked the passing of 120 years since the visitation by
Elias and his conferment of authority when he committed the dispensation of
the Gospel in the Kirtland Temple April 3, 1836. (See D&C 110, with special
notice to the Prophet’s words in the preface thereto.) The man holding the
office and authority that was committed by Elias, or in other words, John
the Revelator has, as foretold by the prophets, appeared on the stage of
action. The purpose of this booklet is to set forth some of the doctrines he
is teaching.
[The writer here wishers to express his appreciation for the assistanace
rendered him by his brothers in the preparation of this work.
Ervil M. LeBaron
President of the Mexican Mission
Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times]
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 1
1 There has been much conjecture, as also many opinions and testimonies given
among those calling themselves Latterday Saints, concerning the manner in
which the authority of the priesthood has come down since the martyrdom at
Carthage, Illinois, to the present time. But comparatively little correct
information has been given out to the masses of the people of today.
2 The Prophet Joseph Smith has said:
…it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not,
or we may be likely to be deceived. (TPJS p. 336; DHC 6:250)
3 The Prophet Joseph also clearly stated that only a correct knowledge of the
priesthood will save a man and give him power to triumph over death.
4 We find no place in all recorded history where a clear picture of the
pattern of heaven relative to the organization of the priesthood, in all of
its ramifications of authority, is given in plainness to the understanding
of the general public.
5 Therefore it is our object to convey to the mind of the public the correct
understanding of the priesthood of God, as it has existed upon the earth
from the days of Adam to the present time, that the heavenly pattern in
priesthood government may be clearly understood the time having fully come
when the facts should be published.
6 If we LeBaron brothers are so fortunate as to be able to explain these
things correctly, in this time of confusion and turmoil, when all others of
our time have utterly failed to do it, then let every man and woman sit in
silence and put their hands on their mouths, recognize where the authority
is, and cease to speak evil of the servants of God.
7 But if we fail to do this, it becomes our duty to renounce all further
pretensions and claims that the blessing that was put upon Joseph Smith,
the prophet, by Elias, which blessing was to remain with the Prophet and
his lineage, and to come down on the head (one man) of his posterity, is
now held among us.
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 2
1 All Latterday Saints should understand that Joseph Smith the Prophet and
Hyrum Smith the Patriarch, were the two grand heads of priesthood in their
day, as were Moses and Aaron in ancient times; and that the Aaronic
priesthood includes the Levitical authority in the same sense that all
priesthood is Melchizedek.
2 We here quote a few statements from President John Taylor:
WHAT IS THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD? There were in the days of Moses a tribe
of the children of Israel set apart to officiate in some of the lesser
duties of the Aaronic priesthood, and their office was called the Levitical
priesthood. (JD 21:364, August 8, 1880)
3 THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD AN APPENDAGE TO THE AARONIC Aaron and his sons
held the Aaronic priesthood, and the Levites were given unto them to
minister unto them to keep his charge, the charge of the congregation, to
do the service of the tabernacle, keep the instruments of the tabernacle,
and the charge of the children of Israel…
4 They seemed to have been an appendage to the Aaronic priesthood to assist
in the service of the tabernacle and other duties. Aaron and his male
descendants were selected for the priesthood, and other Levites as
assistants, or an appendage. (IP 4041)
5 SUMMARY From the above it would seem
First. That the Levites were selected in the place of the firstborn whom the
Lord called his own.
Second. That they were given to Aaron to assist him in the minor or lesser
duties of the priesthood; but that Aaron and his sons officiated in the
leading offices of the priesthood, and not the Levites.
Third. That there was a tithing paid to them by the whole house of Israel for
their sustenance.
Fourth. That they paid a tithe of this to Aaron.
Fifth. That on assuming the higher duties of the priesthood of Aaron, the
judgments of God overtook them.
Sixth. That their priesthood was only an appendage to the Aaronic priesthood,
and not that priesthood itself as held by Aaron and his sons. (IP 43; The
Gospel Kingdom, p. 158)
6 The Lord has said:
There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and
Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. (D&C 107:1)
7 In many places in the Old Testament, we find a clear distinction made
between the priesthood that was held by Aaron and his sons and the
authority that was put upon the Levites.
8 The Lord, in a revelation given through Aaron, spoke as follows concerning
the authority that was put upon Aaron and his sons:
And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar:
that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel… (Num.
18:5)
9 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for
every thing of the altar, and within the vail…
10 And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge
of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of
Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy
sons, by an ordinance for ever. (Num. 18:7, 
11 Concerning the authority that was given to the upon the Levites, the same
revelation says:
And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only
they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that
neither they, nor ye also, die…
12 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the
children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift from the Lord, to do
the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Num. 18:3, 6)
13 We will not at this point treat the subject of the office Moses held, nor
the office of Presiding Bishop which constitutes the third grand head of
priesthood; but we will first consider the authority of the second grand
head of priesthood, or in other words, the office Aaron held.
14 One reason this priesthood office is referred to as a Levi Levitical
office at times, is because Aaron was a descendant of Levi.
15 Another reason for this is that both of these lesser orders of priesthood
were placed under one grand head as all priesthood comes under the
authority of the office held by Melchizedek. Therefore, it should be borne
in mind that the Levitical priesthood is Aaronic only in the sense that all
priesthood is Melchizedek.
16 We feel that no one will dispute the fact that the head of the priesthood;
head of, is Presiding Bishop Levitical priesthood is the man holding the
office of Presiding Bishop, and that this office does not come down from
father to son.
17 However, the office Aaron held did come down from father to son, except
where the Lord directed otherwise, from Aaron to John the Baptist.
18 Therefore it is selfevident that Aaron held authority higher than the
office of Bishop.
19 His son Eleazar who was his successor to the office he held was the grand
head over all priesthood left in Israel after the departure of after Moses.
20 The Bible tells us that Aaron and his seed had authority over the Lord’s
Sanctuary, the altar and all the hallowed things of the children of Israel;
while the Levites merely had authority to perform the outward ordinances
and do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, etc.
21 The Levites were made subject to Aaron and his sons.
22 It is true that the right to hold the lesser or selfperpetuating
Levitical offices was hereditary, yet the Presiding Bishop should be a
literal descendant of Aaron; and this is not a selfperpetuating office, as
was the office held by Aaron.
23 We find by the following verse that the office held by Aaron was to come
down by lineage and that Aaron was the second grand head of priesthood.
24 The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was
conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. (D&C
107:13)
25 By examining carefully the sacred history, both ancient and modern, we
find only one office which has come down by lineage from father to son
except where the Lord directed otherwise, since the early ages of the
world.
26 After Aaron’s time this office was called the priesthood of Aaron.
27 The second grand order of priesthood or the patriarchal office Aaron held
is referred to in scripture as the priesthood of Aaron, or the second
priesthood. These terms are used interchangeably.
28 We assume that no one had a clearer understanding than the Prophet Joseph
Smith himself, as pertaining to the authority of the second priesthood.
29 In his explanations respecting three grand orders of priesthood, he said
on this subject:
The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal authority. Go to and finish the more
knowledge after, is built temple, and God will fill it with power, and you
will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood. (TPJS p. 323)
30 This seems to indicate that the patriarchal office is the head authority
that presides over the Temple work, as did Aaron anciently.
31 This is the priesthood that holds the keys of the ministering of angels to
all the human family and is important in connection with the temple work,
while the head;authority to bring into presence of God first grand head of
priesthood has the necessary authority to bring the people into the
presence of God, as did Enoch, who brought his people into a terrestrial
state.
32 In the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 321 to 323 are found
some very important explanations on priesthood, which were given by the
Prophet in connection with the reading of the seventh chapter of Hebrews.
33 Concerning the meaning of these teachings there has been much speculation
and many misconstrued ideas have been advanced.
34 With reference to this chapter, the Prophet stated:
There are three grand orders of priesthood referred to here. (TPJS p. 322)
35 That the three grand orders explained by the Prophet in the above cited
pages and to which Paul referred, may be more clearly comprehended, we
quote from the above mentioned chapter.
36 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met
Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;…
37 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham
gave the tenth of the spoils…
38 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better…
39 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it
the people received the law,) what further need was there that another
priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after
the order of Aaron?
40 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first
for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he
offered up himself. (Heb. 7:1, 4, 7, 11, 27)
41 From this seventh chapter then we find:
1st.That a priest after the order of Melchizedek, in the sense this term is
here used, is a man holding the office or authority Melchizedek held.
2nd.That a priest after the order of Aaron, in the sense that this term is
here used, is a man holding the office or authority Aaron held.
3rd.That there is a distinction made between the office Melchizedek held and
the patriarchal office Abraham held at the time here mentioned that he gave
tithes to Melchizedek.
4th.That the priests after the order of Aaron who anciently had charge of the
altar and sacrifices pertaining thereto, were High Priests.
5th.That the Levitical priesthood is subject to the priesthood is subject to
the patriarchal priesthood which was held by Abraham before he held the
office Melchizedek held, and which was held by Aaron and his seed down to
the time of John the Baptist.
42 Therefore the priesthood;MelchizedekPatriarchalLevitical three grand
orders referred to here are:
1st.The office Melchizedek held.
2nd.The Patriarchal office held by Abraham and Aaron.
3rd.The Levitical priesthood.
43 Note that the Prophet does not say that all the orders of the Orders of
Priesthood; Not all the orders of priesthood priesthood are referred to
here.
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 3
1 We find by careful study of the Bible that Aaron, anciently, had the Urim
and Thummin and presided over the holy things, the spiritual blessings of
the Church and Temple work in concert with Moses, the same as Hyrum held
the second office and presided over the spiritual blessings of the Church
in concert with Joseph.
2 Many are acquainted with what is written in Section 124 of the Doctrine and
Covenants concerning the authority held by Hyrum, wherein he was appointed
to be the second grand head of priesthood; to be a prophet, a seer and a
revelator unto the Church as well as Joseph, and to act in concert with
Joseph in the priesthood. (See D&C 124:9196)
3 Those who know what it means to be sealed up by the Holy Spirit of Promise
unto the day of redemption, will understand the following verse.
4 First, I give unto you Hyrum Smith to be a patriarch unto you, to hold the
sealing blessings of my church, even the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby ye
are sealed up unto the day of redemption, that ye may not fall
notwithstanding the hour of temptation that may come upon you. (D&C
124:124)
5 This office and priesthood which presides over the spiritual blessings and
the holy ordinances of the house of God, and which comes down from father
to son under normal circumstances, is the same priesthood and anointing
that was put upon Aaron and his seed, which came down anciently from father
to son, except where the Lord directed otherwise, and presided in the
Temple between the time of Moses and the time of Zacharias, the father of
John the Baptist, as may be seen by a study of the following references:
Exo. 28:30, 38 Exo. 29:2830
Exo. 30:10, 30, 31 Exo. 40:1315
Lev. 8:8 Lev. 16:2934
Num. 4:28, 33 Num. 16:10, 40
Num. 18:1, 8 Num. 20:2429
Num. 25:1113 Num. 27:1821
I Chr. 6:49 I Chr. 23:13, 2732
I Chr. 27:17 II Chr. 13:9, 10
II Chr. 17:8 II Chr. 19:811
II Chr. 31:10 Ezra 2:62, 63
Neh. 7:64, 65 Neh. 8:13
Neh. 10:37, 38 Neh. 11:11, 16
Heb. 7:27, 28 Heb. 9:7
Luke 1:6466 Luke 1:76, 77
6 The Prophet Joseph Smith taught on various occasions that the ordinances of
the Gospel have ever been the same and that the order of the house of God
always has been and ever will be the same.
7 Therefore those who will contend that the office of Bishop or that of a
Levitical priest is all the authority that was put upon Aaron and his seed,
should be asked to explain what they think the seed of Aaron, officiating
in the office Aaron held, were using the temple for, between the time of
Moses and the time of John the Baptista tithing office, a Bishop’s
storehouse, or what?
8 It is true that John the Baptist, in preparing the way of the Lord, did not
confirm the people members of any church or bestow the gift of the Holy
Ghost, as he could not consistently do this for the time was at hand for
reorganization and he could not turn the people over to the Jewish Church.
But he told them that one would come after him whose shoes he was unworthy
to unloose, who would bestow upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of
course at the same time bring them to the true Church.
9 Although John, in performing his singular mission, seemingly did not
function in a higher office than that of a Levitical priest, this by no
means proves that this was all the authority he held, for surely the one
holding the keys of the Levitical priest must be at least a Bishop
priesthood must be at least a Bishop.
10 Let us here emphasize what the Lord has said concerning the office of a
Bishop:
And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary Priesthood
appendages belonging unto the high priesthood. (D&C 84:29)
Here we find that it is just as necessary for a bishop to hold the high
priesthood as it is for an elder.
11 It is also stated by the Prophet Joseph Smith:
The Jews had to obey his (be damned John’s) instructions or be damned, by
their own law. (TPJS p. 276)
This indicates that John held the highest office in Israel at that time,
for the people would surely have to obey the highest authority.
12 Again the Prophet states:
The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory
from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven . . . (TPJS p.
276)
13 This shows that John was a prophet, seer and revelator to the Jewish
nation, even the Lord’s anointed.
14 If he had not held the second highest office in the priesthood, would it
not have confused the people for him to say, There cometh one mightier than
I after me? Since he held the second grand office in the priesthood as did
Aaron, this declaration could only indicate that a prophet should come
holding the office held by Melchizedek and Moses. What compliment to the
Savior or testimony in his behalf would it have been for a man holding no
higher office than that of a Levitical priest to have said, There cometh
one mightier than I?
15 We quote a few statements from Joseph Smith found in the Teachings of the
Prophet Joseph Smith from page 271 to 276 inclusive:
16 John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the
kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. (TPJS
p. 276)
17 Where there is no kingdom of God there is no salvation. What constitutes
the kingdom of God? Where there is a prophet, a priest, or a righteous man
unto whom God gives His oracles, there is the kingdom of God; and where the
oracles of God are not, there the kingdom of God is not. (TPJS p. 272)
18 …if we do not get revelations, we do not have the oracles of God; and if
they have not the oracles of God, they are not the people of God. (TPJS p.
272)
19 …John came preaching the Gospel for the remission of sins; he had his
authority from God, and the oracles of God were with him, and the kingdom
of God for a season seemed to rest with John alone. (TPJS p. 272)
20 Zacharias was a priest of God, and officiating in the officiated in
Temple, and John was a priest after his father, and held the keys of the
Aaronic John and Zacharias held keys of Priesthood… (TPJS p. 273)
21 But, says one, the kingdom of God could not be set up in the days of
Baptist;said the kingdom was at hand John, for John said the kingdom was at
hand. But I would ask if it could be any nearer to them than to be in the
hands of John. (TPJS p. 273)
22 By these statements we find that John the Baptist had the kingdom of God
in his hands, the keys of revelation, the oracles of God, the keys of
power, by Aaronic priesthood authority over the Temple ordinances, the keys
of the Aaronic keys of priesthood. This is precisely the authority which
was held by priesthood Hyrum Smith and the ancient patriarchs.
23 Therefore, seeing that priesthood John was the man like Aaron who held the
second office in the priesthood, yet would only baptize with water, when he
said to the Jews in no uncertain terms:
…he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy
to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. (Matthew
3:11)
24 It was plain for those who knew what John held, to understand that a man
like Moses should come to set in order the house of God and ordain new
officers in the church organization.
25 This was the only way this work could be accomplished, in view of the
state of apostasy and corruption in the Jewish Church. For under the
circumstances that then existed, it would have been improper to have used
force and violence or for the Lord to have brought down destructions upon
the people before the wheat was divided from the tares.
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 4
1 It is a common supposition that the elders of Israel, after the time of
Moses, did not hold the Melchizedek priesthood and that the gift of the
Holy Ghost was not enjoyed among the people prior to the time of John the
Baptist.
2 These fallacies seem to have arisen from the fact that John did not confer
the gift of the Holy Ghost upon those whom he baptized, and because
Eleazar, the son of Aaron was the highest authority in the priesthood after
the departure of Moses; he being a priest after his father and having been
appointed to obtain revelation for the guidance of Joshua.
3 The priests after the order of Aaron presided over the Temple ordinances
between the time of Moses and the time of Zacharias, who was slain between
the slain between the, and the altar Temple and the altar.
4 How could they have done so without the power of the Holy Ghost?
5 How could they have obtained that gift without the authority of the
Melchizedek priesthood?
6 The Prophet Joseph Smith gives us the following keys:
Every principle proceeding from God is eternal and any principle which is
not eternal is of the devil. (TPJS p. 181)
The Holy Ghost is God’s messenger to administer in all those priesthoods.
(TPJS p. 323)
7 This last statement was made after the Prophet had given explanations
concerning the three grand orders of priesthood referred to in the 7th
chapter of Hebrews.
8 With these statements in mind we will ask the reader the following
questions.
9 1st.By what authority did Joshua command the sun and the moon to stand
still and by what power were the waters of the river Jordan divided?
10 2nd.By what authority did King David and many other faithful servants of
the Lord receive their wives during the period of time indicated above?
11 3rd.How is it that the priesthood was conferred upon so many of the
ancients, if they had not the gift of the Holy Ghost? How could they
minister without it?
12 4th.Upon what principle was the power of the Almighty poured out upon the
faithful of ancient Israel, if they obeyed not the Lord’s ordinances?
13 5th.How is it, if the Melchizedek priesthood did not exist in Israel prior
to the time of John the Baptist, that the Jews had the offices of elder and
high priest in their church and even thought they had a man like Moses
among them sitting in Moses’s seat? For upon this hypothesis the Savior was
rejected, condemned as a false prophet, a blasphemer, etc., and put to
death.
14 It is evident that the principles and ordinances whereby man might obtain
the blessings of heaven, ever have been the same; for the Prophet Joseph
Smith tells us:
…He (God) set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever, and set
Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send
angels to reveal them. (TPJS p. 168)
15 Again the Prophet says:
Now taking it for granted that the scriptures say what they mean, and mean
what they say, we have sufficient grounds to go on and prove from the Bible
that the gospel has always been the same; the ordinances to fulfill its
requirements, the same, and the officers to officiate, the same; and the
signs and fruits resulting from the promises, the same:…(TPJS p. 264)
16 The Prophet further states:
…All men are liars who say they are of the true Church without the All
men are liars “revelations of Jesus Christ and the Priesthood of
Melchizedek, which is after the order of the Son of God.” (TPJS p. 375)
17 Was then, the Church between the time of Moses and the time of John the
Baptist a true Church or was it false?
18 If they had not the Melchizedek priesthood during that time they should
have had men officiating in the priesthood without the gift of the Holy
Ghost.
19 Or else, if the notions and traditions of many are true, the Aaronic
priesthood presided over the Melchizedek priesthood during that time, for
the priests after the order of Aaron consistently stood at the head.
20 It seems that many Bible students of Mormondom have noticed or taken for
granted that Aaron and his successors in the priesthood office he held,
necessarily held the high priesthood.
21 In a book copyrighted by Heber J. Grant for the Department of Education of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints written by Ezra C. Dalby,
M. A., principal of West Seminary, Salt Lake City, Utah, is found a lesson
entitled ELI, THE HIGH PRIEST.22
We quote from the first paragraph:
We have already mentioned the name of Eli, the high priest, in connection
with Hannah and her child Samuel. He was a descendant of Aaron through his
youngest son, and just how Eli came to hold the office that belonged by
right of descent to the family of Eleazar, the oldest son of Aaron, is not
known. Perhaps the latter had no descendant at that time, who was qualified
for the office. (Land and Leaders of Israel, p. 199)
23 Aaron departed this mortal state before Moses did, yet all the holy things
and the spiritual blessings of the Church that were had at that time were
had under the authority of Aaron’s office.
24 In fact, Moses worked through Aaron in the performing of many of the great
miracles that were manifested in leading the children of Israel out of
bondage.
25 All the ordinances and blessings were had in the Church under Moses, and
Aaron presided over the sanctuary and the altar and administered them all.
26 We quote again from the Prophet:
Paul told about Moses’ proceedings; spoke of the children of Israel being
baptized. (1 Cor. 10:14) He knew this, and that all the ordinances and
blessings were in the Church . . . (TPJS p. 159)
27 The office Aaron held continued to hold the keys of power and the kingdom
of God in Israel after the departure of Moses as we see from the following
notes taken down as the Prophet delivered a sermon.
28 The keys of the Aaronic Priesthood were committed unto him, and he was as
the voice of one crying in the wilderness saying: `Prepare ye the way of
the Lord and make his paths straight.’
29 The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, etc.
30 The kingdom of heaven continueth in authority until John.
31 The authority taketh it by absolute power.
32 John having the power took the Kingdom by authority.
33 How have you obtained all this great knowledge? By the gift of the Holy
Ghost.
34 Wrested the Kingdom from the Jews. (TPJS p. 319)
35 Thus we see that the oracles continued to the church and the kingdom
remained set up on the earth from the time of Aaron to the time of John the
Baptist through the prophets who stood in the Aaronic office or Aar,
priesthood and presided over the Temple ordinances as was the case with
office Eli, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, etc.
36 This grand selfperpetuating patriarchal office rightfully holds the keys
of all the spiritual blessings, the work for the dead, etc., and holds all
the keys pertaining to the apostleship and the fulness of the Melchizedek
priesthood, to act in concert with, yet subordinate to the office Moses
held.
37 The Prophet Joseph Smith explained:
…The spirit, power, and calling of powercalling of, Elijah is, that ye
have power to hold the key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers
and endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood and of the
kingdom of God on earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the
ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the
hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the
children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven. (TPJS p. 337)
38 This is the office, power and authority that was held by all the head
prophets in Israel from Eleazar to Elijah, who was translated, and took
with him a part of the keys of the priesthood;
39 but the patriarchal office he committed to Elisha, together with the
Apostleship and the keys necessary to carry on the kingdom.
40 Thus we see that the pathway of eternal progression was open to the
ancient Israelites and that the Holy Spirit of Promise, even the spirit of
that promise which Abraham received from God, mentioned by Paul in the
sixth chapter of Hebrews, could be obtained by them, through obedience to
the laws upon which this blessing was predicated.
41 The Prophet Joseph, in answer to the question, Was the priesthood of
Melchizedek taken away when Moses died? said:
All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees
of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was
taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained. All the
prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself.
(TPJS p. 1801)
42 Then if all the prophets had the Melchizedek priesthood, surely the
prophets from Moses to Christ had it; and this must certainly include Aaron
and Melchizedek priesthood John the Baptist, the greatest prophet born of
woman.
43 And what was to prevent the faithful elders of Israel from having it also?
44 But when and where were all the prophets ordained by God himself?
45 The Prophet explains:
Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was
ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this
world was. (TPJS p. 365)
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 5
1 What then was taken out of Israel when Moses departed?
2 When Moses was translated, the priesthood office which he received from
Jethro which brought him to speak with God, the Father, face to face, is
all that was taken away.
3 The two divisions of priesthood authority which pertain to the Church
government remained after the departure of Moses the same as the
organization stood during his lifetime.
4 No man lost any priesthood or authority because Moses departed.
5 He simply did not appoint a priest after the order of Melchizedek in his
stead, but remained in a translated condition holding that office.
6 Therefore he left the same pattern of organization explained in Section 124
of the Doctrine and Covenants, commencing at verse 124, in which the
Prophet Joseph held an office subordinate to Hyrum at the time the
revelation was given.
7 Joseph also held the office which presides over all things.
8 The same pattern of organization existed in the Church at the time the
revelation known as Section 107 was given.
9 Joseph at that time was the grand patriarch and stood at the head, and also
held the office of President of the Church, which as Brigham Young said, he
held by the voice of the people.
10 The grand priesthood office which presides over all things which was held
by Moses and committed by him to Christ and from Christ to priesthood
office John the Revelator, had not at that time been committed to the
Prophet.
11 At the time the revelation known as Section 107 was given there were two
priesthoods in the Church and two grand heads, the grand patriarch and the
Bishop;over temporal blessings Presiding Bishop respectively; the one
holding the keys of the spiritual blessings and the other, the keys of the
temporal blessings.
12 A year later the office Moses held, as also Noah, etc., was committed
which holds authority over them both, as also other authority besides.
13 The Prophet Joseph spoke as follows concerning the office Noah and Moses
held:
Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice
of Jehovah that He talked with him (Noah) in a familiar and friendly
manner, that HE CONTINUED TO HIM THE KEYS, THE COVENANTS, THE POWER AND THE
GLORY, with which He blessed Adam at the beginning . . . (TPJS p. 171)
14 After Moses departed from Israel, Eleazar, the son of Aaron stood at the
head of the Church as the grand patriarch, holding the keys of the
spiritual blessings and presiding over the Sanctuary of the Lord.
15 Aaron, having left only one other faithful living son of whom the Bible
gives account, it would seem his lot to have been the presiding Bishop.
16 For Aaron and his sons were to preside over the Aaron Levites.
17 While Moses was living he ruled over Israel politically as well as
spiritually and temporally, and gave the laws by which the nation of Israel
was to be governed.
18 Thus he acted in a triple capacity.
19 Before his departure, Joshua was appointed to preside over the political
branch of government and to command the armies of Israel, for the Lord’s
people were at that time an independent nation.
20 Joshua then, presided over the political kingdom as well as acting in the
office of president of the Church.
21 The presiding patriarch and the presiding bishop were the ghead;held
Melchizedek priesthood rand heads of priesthoodthe Melchizedek and the
Levitical respectively.
22 Joshua held a presiding office, which pertains to earthly rule in the
political field as also the office of president of the Church.
23 Thus we see that Joshua was under Eleazar in spiritual things, yet over
him in political government. He was also over the presiding Bishop in the
political field, yet under him in temporal concerns.
24 He occupied the office of president of the Church by appointment through
Moses and by the voice of the people, yet he did not hold the priesthood
office and sceptre Moses held.
25 This is the difference between a president of the Church who holds the
priesthood office Moses held and a president of the Church who does not
hold that office.
26 The presiding patriarch, the presiding bishop and the president over the
kingdom in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s time, just before his death were:
Patriarch before Joseph’s death Hyrum Smith, Bishop Newel K. Whitney and
president of the kingdom, Young;president of the kingdom Brigham Young.
27 Brigham Young was the modern Joshua, not the modern Young not modern
Moses, and would have been under Hyrum in spiritual things, had Hyrum
lived, just as Joshua was under Eleazar.
28 Brigham Young did not hold or claim to hold the priesthood sceptre held by
Joseph Smith the Prophet.
29 After Joshua didn’t hold office o, Moses was taken from Israel, the
children of Israel thought that Joshua held all the authority that Moses
held, just the same as the great majority of the Mormon people, after the
martyrdom of the Prophet, thought and still believe that Brigham Young held
all the authority that Smith;Brigham Y. did not hold same authority as
Joseph Smith held. But in neither case is it true.
30 We find by the following what the situation was in the case of Joshua.
31 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in
whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; and set him before Eleazar
the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their
sight. And thou shalt put SOME of thine honour upon him, that all the
congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. (Num. 27:18, 19,
20)
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 6
1 Anciently, when the first grand head of priesthood was taken from this
sphere of action, he left Eleazar, the second grand head.
2 But in modern times, we find a unique situationthe the same time two grand
heads of priesthood holding the only two grand selfperpetuating offices
both left this sphere of action at the same time.
3 After the martyrdom at Carthage, who held the grand office that Joseph
held, and who held the grand office that Hyrum held?
4 It is a fact that cannot be successfully refuted that the office self
perpetuating Hyrum held was to be put upon the head of his posterity after
him, or as the Lord should direct, the same as the office or priesthood
Aaron held was to come down on the head of his posterity after him.
5 However, there are a great many of the professed followers of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, who do not know or pay any attention to the fact that the
blessing or priesthood office that was put upon Joseph by John the
Revelator, who was the Elias in this case, was, according to the word of
the Lord, to be put upon the head of his posterity after him.
6 The Lord says:
For this anointing have I put upon his head, that his blessing shall also
be put upon the head (one man, brackets ours) of his posterity after him.
And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I
say unto my servant Joseph: In thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of
the earth be blessed. (D&C 124:5758)
7 The Prophet Joseph, then, was given the same Smith promise that Abraham
received from the Lord, concerning the kindred of the earth being blessed
through his seed.
8 The fulfillment of this great covenant and promise to covenant to Abraham
was the central theme of the holy men and sacred writers of old.
9 In fact, all of the great prophets prophesied concerning the fulfillment of
this covenant and promise that God made to Abraham.
10 Yet in our time, very few pay any attention to or know anything about the
fulfillment of this same great promise to Joseph Smith.
11 The truth is that the great majority of the professed followers of the
Prophet, in our day seem to believe and some even teach that the word of
the Lord in this covenant has utterly failed or become null and void.
12 If such were the case, it would make God a covenant breaker and a liar.
13 Concerning the covenant to Abraham and its fulfillment, the Savior spoke
as follows to the ancient Nephites:
And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of
Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers,
saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be
blessed.
THE FATHER HAVING RAISED ME UP UNTO YOU FIRST, AND SENT ME TO BLESS YOU in
turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are
the children of the covenant
And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant
which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of
the earth be blessedunto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost THROUGH ME UPON
the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above
all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel. (3 Nephi 20:25
27)
14 Here we find from the Savior’s own words that He Himself was the promised
seed who was to be raised up to bless the kindreds of the earth.
15 The Apostle Paul also spoke concerning this important subject. Now to
Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as
of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)
16 Parley P. Pratt explained:
Jesus Christ was that man spoken of when God said, `In thee and in thy seed
shall all nations of the earth be blessed.’ (JD 1:180)
17 The promise to Abraham concerning his seed, having been fulfilled through
Christ, it is a selfevident fact, that the same promise and covenant to
Joseph Smith concerning his seed, must be fulfilled in a like manner, which
shows that the great prophet spoken of in Isaiah 11:10, Doctrine and
Covenants 113:6, Doctrine and Covenants 85:7, Doctrine and Covenants
103:16, Romans 11:2527 and 3 Nephi 20:4345 through whom the kindred of
the earth are to receive their blessings, must be the seed of the Prophet
Joseph Smith and the head of his posterity, even as Christ was the head of
head of posterity Abraham’s posterity.
18 The Lord said plainly in his promise to the Prophet Joseph:
And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I
say unto my servant Joseph: In thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of
the earth be blessed. (D&C 124:58)
19 Abraham was given the highest priesthood office and through him the
blessings were dispensed to the human family.
20 Christ was given that office, and he was the next after office after
Abraham to offer the blessings of the gospel to the whole human family.
21 To Joseph Smith was committed the dispensation of the gospel as it had
been committed to Abraham and the blessings of the gospel were offered
through him to the whole human family.
22 And according to prophecy the blessings of the gospel are again to be
offered to all the human family through a man like Moses holding this same
office, which holds authority over all things pertaining to the Kingdom of
God on earth.
23 That the point at issue might be more fully comprehended and that the
reader will understand what priesthood office has come down upon the
promised seed from the days of Adamwhich promised seed has always had
reference to the special servants whom the Lord would raise up, and which
priesthood office has always constituted the cornerstone of Zion (Christ
being the chief cornerstone), we quote in full the verses to which we
allude.
24 And now I say unto you, as pertaining to my boarding house which I have
commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers, let it be built unto
my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant Joseph and
his house have place therein, from generation to generation.
25 For this anointing have I put upon his head, that his blessing shall also
be put upon the head of his posterity after him.
26 And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I
say unto my servant Joseph: In thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of
the earth be blessed.
27 Therefore, let my servant Joseph and his seed after him have place in that
house, from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.
28 And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House; and let it be a
delightful habitation for man, and a restingplace for the weary traveler,
that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the
cornerstone thereof;
29 That he may receive also the counsel from those whom I have set to be as
plants of renown, and as watchmen upon her walls. (D&C 124:5661)
30 For the benefit of those who have supposed that the boarding house was the
central point at issue in the above cited verses, we ask the following
questions:
31 1st.What was of greater importance, the anointing and blessing or the
mansion?
32 2nd.In view of the prophecies to the effect that Zion would be established
in the tops of the mountains, are we to believe that the Lord intended that
the posterity of the Prophet should reside in the mansion at Nauvoo for
ever and ever?
33 3rd.Which was of greater importance, for the head of the Prophet’s
posterity to reside in the mansion, or for the kindred of the earth to be
blessed through the seed of the Prophet?
34 4th.What was referred to as the cornerstone of Zion, the mansion or the
man having received the anointing?
35 5th.What was to be the principal source through whom the weary traveler
was to receive counsel, the man referred to as the cornerstone or those
referred to as watchmen?
36 6th.What was of greater importance, for the seed of the Prophet to inherit
the house built at Nauvoo or for the anointing and blessing the Prophet had
received under the hand of Elias, to be put upon the head of the Prophet’s
posterity?
37 For testimony, other than that of the writer, that the Prophet received
this anointing under the hand of Elias, see the references in the Doctrine
and Covenants relative to the above cited verses. The reference pertaining
to verse 57 refers us to verse 58 and vice versa.
38 The references pertaining to both of these verses refer us to the 12th
verse of Section 110 which says: After this, Elias appeared, and committed
the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed
all generations after us should be blessed.
39 It will be of interest to the reader to note from the Prophet’s own words
in the preface to Section 110, that it was authority that Elias conferred,
referring to the event as the Visitation by Elias and his conferment of
authority.
40 This authority that Elias conferred would not have been lesser authority
than that conferred by John the Baptist and Peter, James and John, because
the authority they restored has the power to appoint all lesser offices.
41 Therefore, it could have been nothing other than the authority and office
that Moses held which he received from his fatherinlaw Jethro, and which
has held the authority of the dispensation of the gospel in all ages of the
world.
42 Concerning this grand office the Prophet Joseph Smith taught as follows:
43 Although there are two Priesthoods, yet the Priesthood;comprehends Aaronic
Melchizedek Priesthood comprehends the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood, and
is the grand head;comprehends Aaronic or Levitical priethood grand head,
and holds the highest authority which pertains to the priesthood, and the
of the Kingdom;comprehended by Melchizedek priesthood keys of the Kingdom
of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity on the earth, and
is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of
salvation, and every important matter is revealed from heaven.
44 Its institution was prior to `the foundation of this earth, or the morning
stars sang together, or the Sons of God shouted for joy,’ and is the
highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the order of the Son of God,
and all other Priesthoods are only parts, ramifications, powers and
blessings belonging to the same, and are held, controlled, and directed by
it. It is the channel through which the Almighty commenced revealing His
glory at the beginning of the creation of this earth, and through which He
has continued to reveal Himself to the children of men to the present time,
and through which He will make known His purposes to the end of time.
(Joseph Smith’s Teachings, p. 112)
45 Again the Prophet said:
Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this
Priesthood. There are many things which belong to the powers of the
Priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid from before the
foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be
revealed in the last times. (Joseph Smith’s Teachings, p. 117)
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 7
1 Although the Savior, John the Revelator and Joseph the Prophet have held
the highest priesthood office since Moses was translated, yet there are
keys pertaining to the priesthood, which have not been held by mortal man
since the time of Elijah, pertaining to ordinances of the priesthood, which
he must yet come to restore, as explained in the Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, pages 171 to 173 inclusive.
2 We quote:
Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice
of Jehovah that He talked with him (Noah) in a familiar and friendly
manner, that He continued to him the keys, the covenants, the power and the
glory, with which He blessed in familiar manner as was Noah & Adam at the
beginning; and the offering of sacrifice, which also shall be continued at
the last time; for all the ordinances and duties that ever have been
required by the Priesthood, under the directions and commandments of the
Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last
dispensation, therefore all things had under the authority of the
Priesthood at any former period, shall be had again, bringing to pass the
restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets; then shall
the sons of Levi offer and acceptable offering to the Lord. `And he shall
sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of
Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the
Lord.’ (See Malachi 3:3)
3 It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set
forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice
was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice (i.e.,) the sacrifice of
the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the
ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly
not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood,
or with the Prophets.
4 The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the
duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be
continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation.
We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the
servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which
ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its
authority, power and blessings.
5 Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who
will, before the last dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the
keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to
in righteousness. It is true that the Savior had authority and power to
bestow this blessing; but the sons of Levi were too prejudiced. `And I will
send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord,’
etc., etc. Why send Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to
administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the
authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in
righteousness.
6 It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were
entirely consumed. This was not the case; if you read Leviticus 2:23, you
will observe that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up
before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the
priests; so that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the
altar but the blood is sprinkled, and the fat and certain other portions
are consumed.
7 These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood,
will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be
purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers,
ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the
powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how
can the restitution of all things spoken of by the Holy Prophets be brought
to pass. It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be
established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has
never been spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior
to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.
8 It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great
Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and
faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since
that time? The Priesthood has descended in regular line from father to son,
through their succeeding generations. (See Book of Doctrine and Covenants.)
(October 5, 1840.) DHC 4:207212. (TPJS p. 171173)
9 We have quoted the above to show, among other things, that there is a
difference between keys and offices, and yet that at times these terms are
used interchangeably. It will be noted that at the beginning of this
quotation the term keys is used in keys two different senses. First, with
reference to the office Noah held and next with reference to functions,
duties, powers and authority pertaining to that office.
10 Elijah was the last prophet that held certain keys, yet he did not hold
the first priesthood office as did Noah, but the second or patriarchal
office, which was committed by him to Elisha.
11 Peter, James and John held keys as a quorum which they received on the
Mount, yet they there received neither the office Noah held nor the office
Elijah held, but they held as a quorum the third authority in the
priesthood, the first office being held by the Savior and the second having
been taken to the grave by John the Baptist.
12 The Savior was made a priest after the order of Melchizedek as stated by
Paul in his Epistle to the Hebrews. Therefore, the Savior had received from
priesthood from Moses the priesthood office which Melchizedek put upon
Melchizedek Abraham, and therefore had in His hands the dispensation of the
gospel.
13 If He had not appointed a successor to this office, it would have been
necessary for Him to have come personally to commit to the Prophet Joseph
the dispensation of the gospel, or in other words all the authority Abraham
had held.
14 Therefore theElias who committed the dispensation of the gospel, had to be
someone who was a priest after the order of Melchizedek and Abraham after
the Savior had departed this life.
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 8
1 The highest priesthood office has continued in an unbroken chain from the
days of Adam to the present time.
2 All who have held it since the days of Adam, have been properly appointed
thereunto by their predecessor.
3 This is what the Prophet Joseph Smith had reference to when he made the
following statements:
4 There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present
time. (TPJS p. 191)
5 And again:
. . . I say, in the name of the Lord, that the kingdom of God was set up on
the earth from the days of Adam to the present time.
(TPJS p. 271)
6 The chain of authority here mentioned by the Prophet could not have
reference to the chain of patriarchal authority which was instituted in the
days of Adam and came down by lineage as explained in Section 107 of the
Doctrine and Covenants, because that line of authority has not always remained
upon the earth.
7 But the first grand office of the priesthood which is over all lesser
authority, is that which has remained upon the earth since the days of
authority Adam.
8 This is necessarily the case, because, in order for the kingdom of God to
have been set up through a chain of authority from the days of Adam to the
present time, one of the grand offices which holds the oracles of God would
have had to have been upon the earth, forming an unbroken chain during that
time.
9 Let us trace the line of authority of this greater priesthood and see the
manner in which this office has come down from the beginning to the present
time.
10 We find that Enoch was the man who held that office after the departure of
Adam, which is shown by the following:
11 Enoch was twentyfive years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam;
and he was sixtyfive and Adam blessed him. And he saw the Lord, and he walked
with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three
hundred and sixtyfive years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when
he was translated. (D&C 107:48, 49)
12 The Prophet Joseph Smith tells us who held this office after Enoch:
13 The next great, grand Patriarch (after Enoch) who held the keys of the
priesthood was Lamech. . . . The Priesthood continued from Lamech to Noah.
(TPJS p. 171)
14 That this office came down from Lamech to Noah, from Noah to Melchizedek,
and from Melchizedek to Abraham, we feel no man should dispute.
15 On this subject Abraham wrote:
In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw
that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence;
16 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought
for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained
to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness,
desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater
follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a
father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions,
and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest,
holding the right belonging to the fathers.
17 It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers,
from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the
foundations of the earth to the present time, even the right of the firstborn,
on the first man, who is Adam, our first father, through the fathers unto me.
18 I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the
appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed. (Pearl of Great Price,
Abr. 1:14)
19 Here we find that the priesthood which constitutes the highest office, is
called the right of the firstborn, which means the right to stand in the stead
of the firstborn in His absence; the firstborn being Christ.
20 Also, that this office came down through the fathers, or in other words,
through the men who held the rights of a father over the human family which
were held by Enoch.
21 In other words, this is the authority over all things pertaining to the
kingdom of God on earth.
22 This office came down to of ear Abraham from before the foundations of the
earth.
23 Who held it after him? It was the prophet Esaias, and not Isaac, as many
suppose.
24 The Lord says concerning this matter:
And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received
under the hand of his fatherinlaw, Jethro;
25 And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb;
26 And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu;
27 And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy;
28 And Jeremy under the hand of Gad;
29 And Gad under the hand of Esaias;
30 And Esaias received it under the hand of God.
31 Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him.
(D&C 84:613)
32 Let it here be understood that this greater priesthood or Holy Priesthood
does not have reference to the Melchizedek priesthood held by the elders of
Israel in Egypt when Moses was sent to deliver Israel from bondage; but to the
highest office pertaining to the priesthood government upon the earth.
33 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the the
Kingdom; priesthood, greater key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key
of the knowledge of God. (D&C 84:19)
34 This means that this greater priesthood administers the gospel, presides
over the dispensation of the gospel to, or the diffusion of the gospel among
the human family; and holds the key of the revelation of the mysteries of
the kingdom to the inhabitants of the eartheven the office through which the
condition might be brought about that God might be personally known by the
people, that He might converse with them and walk among them, as in the days
of Enoch; which condition Moses sought diligently to bring about, but the
people hardened their hearts.
35 Therefore, the Lord took Moses and this office also, out of their midsts.
This is precisely what is meant by the following verses:
36 Now this 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;
37 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.
38 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy priesthood also.
(D&C 84:2325)
39 By the above cited verses we see that the children of Israel in the
wilderness failed to obtain the greater blessing, having hardened their hearts,
so that Israel hardened hearts against Moses, through the sceptre of power he
held, could not bring them into the presence of God; therefore, the Lord took
Moses, together with the priesthood office he held, out of their midst.
40 Moses held all the authority necessary to have brought to pass the
restoration of all things that were had under the authority of the priesthood
during the administration of Adam and Enoch.
41 All things that were taken out of Israel by his office Moses, it was his
mission to restore. Therefore, when the time should come that the Lord should
see fit to bless the human family, or any portion of it with the administration
of a man holding the priesthood office Moses held, it would be his place to
restore that office.
42 In due time that office was put upon Christ. Therefore the chain of authority
continued from Moses to Him.
43 Although the Savior held the highest office pertaining to priesthood
government upon the earth, all the keys of the priesthood held by Meridian
Moses and Aaron were not restored in the dispensation of the Meridian of Time.
44 Nor were all the keys of the priesthood committed to the Prophet Smith;all
keys not committed to Joseph Smith.
45 We find by examining the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that as we
have shown, there are keys and ordinances pertaining to the priesthood which
must yet be restored.
46 Among other things the Prophet said:
Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will,
before the last dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the keys of
the priesthood, in order that all of the ordinances may be attended to in
righteousness. (TPJS p. 172)
47 By this statement, together with the information preceding and following it,
which we have already quoted, we see that the restoration of all things is not
yet consummated, and that Elijah will yet have to come and restore certain keys
which he was the last prophet to hold.
48 After Moses was translated, he had the mission to restore all the authority
and keys he took with him.
49 The keys of the gathering of Israel, he restored to the Prophet Smith; keys
of gathering restored to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, not having
committed them prior to that time.
* * * * * * * *
PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED
S e c t i o n 9
1 Having explained the manner in which an unbroken chain of of authority and
power came down from Adam to the Savior through the fathers, let us now
explain how the kingdom of God has been set up on the earth from the days of
Christ to the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith and how that chain of authority
has continued unbroken to the present time.
2 We quote a statement from the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 158:
The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Peter, James, & John, Moses, and
Elias, gave the keys to to Peter, James and John, on the mount, when they were
transfigured before him. (TPJS p. 158)
3 Peter, James and John, then received certain keys on the Mount, which were
necessary for them to receive in order to accomplish the work they were called
to do.
4 But these three did not receive at that time, the priesthood sceptre of power
and authority which office only one man can hold at a time on the earth, for
the Savior swayed that sceptre to the hour of His death.
5 That the Prophet Joseph Smith held this office, is evident, for the Lord said
to him:
For I have conferred upon you the keys and power of the priesthood, wherein I
restore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time. (D&C 132:45)
6 John was the apostle who was given the greater work and it was through him
that the kingdom of God was to remain set up on the earth from the days of the
ancient apostles to the time of the latterday restoration, which can be seen
by a careful study of the seventh section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a part
which we quote.
7 I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired
that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before
done.
Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming
fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs
of salvation who dwell on the earth.
8 And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto
you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come.
(D&C 7:57)
9 By this it is clear that the power and keys of this ministry were given to
these three abovenamed apostles; but John was to be translated and remain on
the earth to hold the office held by Moses and Christ.
10 That John, the beloved disciple, was the last of the ancient prophets to
hold the highest priesthood office, is a fact that cannot be refuted.
11 That he would be the one to restore all things that he was the last one to
hold, none should doubt; for it was just as necessary for him to restore that
which he was the last one to hold, as it was for Elijah to restore those things
which he was the last prophet to hold.
12 John was the Elias to whom was given the seal of the living God over the
twelve tribes of Israel.
13 The Lord gives us the following keys:
14 Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east,
Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse?
15 A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to
whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel;
wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel,
saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have
sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive
it, this is Elias which was come to gather together the tribes of Israel and
restore all things. (D&C 77:9)
16 That the tribes of Israel were to be gathered through the authority Elias
held is beyond controversy.
17 Therefore, it would be necessary in order to accomplish this great work, for
him to restore that authority.
18 The Lord has told us who this latterday Elias or restorer was:
19 Q. What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by Revelator;
little book eaten by, (D&C 77:14) John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of
Revelation?
20 A. We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to
gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must
come and restore all things. (D&C 77:14)
21 It will here be noted that the revelation from which this verse is taken,
was given in March, 1832, nearly three years after Peter, James and John,
together had restored certain things they held jointly.
22 At that time, Elias had not as yet committed that which he alone was the
last to hold.
23 His exceedingly long mission was yet incomplete and the ordinance which he
must perform in order to gather the tribes of Israel and restore the priesthood
office which presides over all things, and wherein the Lord restores all things,
was yet a future event.
24 It was not until the temple was built at Kirtland, Ohio, that Elias appeared
and committed the dispensation of the everlasting gospel, which no man can have
fully under his hand without receiving the priesthood, the office or appointment
to stand as God, which Joseph the Prophet received at that time under the hand
of to Joseph Smith John.
25 We again quote what the Prophet revealed concerning this grand event that is
recorded in Section 110 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
26 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of
Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be
blessed. (D&C 110:12)
27 We here find that the blessing was to come to all generations after Joseph
and Oliver, through them and their seed; or in other words through them and
those who should hold in fuure the offices they received at that time.
28 It is well known where the blessing once put upon Oliver, was placed after
he had stepped aside.
29 But what about the priesthood sceptre which was restored for the last time,
through which the greater blessing was to come to the kindred of the earth?
30 That the Lord’s proceedings in these latter days concerning this matter
might be more clearly understood, let us examine His past dealings with His
people.
31 In the days of Abraham the Lord intervened and had the sceptre put upon
Esaias, and in the course of time this office was hidden from Israel and the
world.
32 The Patriarch, Jacob, who was the second grand head of priesthood upon the
earth after Isaac, went with his family into Egypt.
33 The history and the trend of events that followed this move is one of the
most commonly read parts of the Bible.
34 After the children of Israel were brought into bondage in Egypt, and even
to the time Moses was sent to deliver them, what did they know about the
sceptre being concealed in the deserts of Midian?
35 They did not know that there was authority on the earth higher than that
which was held by Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
36 They did not know that a shepherd, having fled Egypt to save his life, would
get the priesthood sceptre through Jethro, the great high priest of Midian and
come to their deliverance.
37 Notwithstanding the miracles performed by the Savior, did the Jews believe
he had the authority? After His crucifixion, did all the Saints know that the
highest office was held by John? No, they did not, but thought Peter, who was
the chief apostle, was the head.
38 The Christian world, even including the great majority of the Mormon people,
believe this to the present time.
39 In modern times, the Lord has acted upon the same principles in relation to
this matter, as He did in past ages.
40 He has said that he would send a man holding the sceptre of power to set
His house in ordera man unto whom should rightly belong the priesthood and the
Kingdom;necessary for the gathering keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for
the gathering of His people in the last days. (See D&C 113:6)
41 The priesthood which should rightly belong to this messenger is the same
priesthood which has come down through the fathers from the beginning and
remained upon the earth through John the Beloved, being hid from the world
with Christ in God.
42 We quote a few verses which the Lord spoke directly to Joseph Smith and to
his successors in this priesthood. It will be noted by reading this revelation
that it covers future time, down to the dividing of the wheat from the tares,
when the field is left to be burned.
43 Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath
continued through the lineage of your fathers.
44 For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the
world with Christ in GodTherefore your life and the priesthood have remained,
and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all
things spoken of by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began.
45 Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the
Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel. The Lord
hath said it. Amen. (D&C 86:811)
46 For the benefit of those who think these verses, heretofore, have been
correctly understood by and explained to the Mormon people, we ask the
following questions:
47 1st.At the time this revelation was given, what priesthood had continued
with any man through the lineage of his earthly fathers?
48 2nd.Does the priesthood mentioned in these verses, each time it is
mentioned or alluded to, have reference to the same thing?
49 3rd.Who are the lawful heirs of the priesthood here spoken of who have been
hid from the world? When and in what manner were they hid?
50 4th.Whose life and what priesthood had remained until the time this
revelation was given?
51 5th.In view of what is written in verses 57 and 58 of Section 124, what
priesthood or office could have remained with any man’s lineage, other than
that of the Prophet, that has anything to do with the restoration of all
things?
52 6th.Through what priesthood, other than the office Moses held, could a
savior be raised up unto the Lord’s people Israel?
53 A reference at the bottom of the page concerning the word savior in verse
11, refers us to Romans 11:2531, a part of which we quote:
54 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest
ye should be wise in your own conceit; that blindness in part is happened to
Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
55 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of
Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
56 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
(Rom. 11:2527)
57 Here we find that the very time when the man holding the sceptre was to come
forth and commence his work of delivering the Lord’s people out of bondage, was
to be when the fulness of the Gentiles should be come in, or in other words,
when the times of the Gentiles were over or fulfilled.
58 The Lord says:
Behold I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power;
59 Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as
Moses led the children of Israel.
60 For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of are seed of Abraham,
and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretchedout arm.
61 And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of
Zion be. (D&C 103:1518)
62 When the time drew near for the Savior to come, holding the office Moses
held, to declare Himself publicly and minister in that capacity in fulfillment
of His mission, he was preceded by a forerunner, holding the office Aaron held,
who came to prepare a people for His ministry.
63 Now that the time is at the doors for the coming of the Son of Man in power
and great glory, it is necessary that a man should prepare the way who holds the
priesthood sceptre Moses held, together with all the keys pertaining thereunto.
64 One of the reasons that a man must come holding the office through which the
Lord restores all things, is that a people must be prepared to enter into the
terrestrial state, which condition cannot be brought about through any other
channel or authority.
65 There must be a man with all the keys and authority held by Enoch, in order
to bring the people into the presence of God and usher in the Millennium.
66 For unless every ordinance belonging to the priesthood is restored and