PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED

                      The Principles of Succession

                                   in

                          Priesthood Authority

                                  and

                            the True Pattern

                                   of

                          Priesthood Government

                             ****************

          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, 8)

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 
attended to in righteousness, the Ancient of Days will not sit in council with 
his faithful children to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man, as 
spoken of by the Prophet Joseph Smith. (See TPJS p. 157 and D&C 116)

67 Until all of these ordinances are properly attended to the Eternal Father 
will not visit his children upon the earth, for the Lord says:

68 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. 
(D&C 84:20)

69 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, 
the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; (D&C 84:21)

70 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. 
(D&C 84:2022)

71 The power of godliness, which must be manifest unto men in the flesh, that 
they may see the face of the Father and live, includes a knowledge of 
godliness, which no mortal can obtain except through the ordinances of the 
priesthood.

72 It is through knowledge obtained only through obedience to all the 
ordinances of the Father's house or pertaining to His family that one's 
calling and election is made sure.

73 It is the knowledge of godliness, obtained through obedience and 
sacrifice, that enables man to become like God.

74 On this point the Prophet stated:

. . . Knowledge is the power of salvation. (TPJS p. 306)

75 When the blessing is sealed upon a man's head, making his calling and 
election sure, it destines him to become a priest of God eternally in the 
highest sense of the wordan heir of the title God and a joint heir with Jesus 
Christ.

76 This is what constitutes the fulness of the fulness of God's priesthood 
priesthood of God.

77 This is what qualifies a man as a patriarch, priest and king over his own 
posterity eternally; and this blessing is infinitely more important to the 
individual than any office pertaining to the Church or kingdom of God upon 
the earth.

78 This is what the Prophet had reference to when he said:

The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure. 
(TPJS p. 323)

79 Joseph Smith also said on this subject:

If a man gets a fullness of the priesthood of God he has to get it in the same 
way that Jesus Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the 
commandments and obeying all of the ordinances of the house of the Lord. 
(TPJS p. 308)

80 This does not have reference to the office Melchizedek held, which is 
referred to as the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood, concerning which the 
Prophet stated:

81 Those holding the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and 
priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, 
that Priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws 
to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam. 
(TPJS p. 322)

82 The priesthood which constitutes a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as 
God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives unto them, is the 
one man priesthood which was held by Enoch, Melchizedek and God to the people 
Moses, which can be held by only one man on the earth at a time.

83 For only one man on the earth at a time can stand as God to the people as 
the Prophet Joseph did.

84 This is what he had reference to when he said:

God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the children of Israel, and He will 
make me be God to you in His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if 
you don't like it, you must lump it. (TPJS p. 363)

85 The office Melchizedek held is the office of Melchizedek, priesthood which 
is by oath and covenant.

86 A man holding that office has never led the people astray.

87 It is the priesthood which has come down from before the foundations of the 
earth and was held by Adam in the beginning.

88 It has remained upon the earth from the days of remain to all eternity 
Adam to the present time and will remain to all eternity.

89 Hence, it is referred to as having neither beginning of days nor end of life.

90 The Prophet explained:

@PAGE BREAKIN = The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right from the eternal God, 
and not by descent from father and mother; and that priesthood is as eternal as 
God Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. (TPJS p. 323)

91 Thus we see the difference between the Melchizedek priesthood which every 
faithful elder has the right to hold over his own posterity and the office 
priesthood;difference between office and priesthood Melchizedek held over the 
whole family of Adam.

 

                            * * * * * * * *
 
 

                          PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED

                                                
                            S e c t i o n 10


1 When the Melchizedek priesthood is conferred upon a man, he is called to 
stand up for God and to magnify this priesthood.

2 He is called to try out for the blessings of eternal lives, that he may 
obtain the crown over the kingdom of our God.

3 Then if that man continues faithful in keeping his covenants, obeys all the 
laws and commandments of the Lord and lives by every word which proceeds forth 
out of the mouth of God, he will secure unto himself the right to hold that 
priesthood in the eternal worlds.

4 When it is confirmed upon him that he may hold it eternally, and obtain in 
the hereafter all the blessings associated therewith, he is chosen, his calling 
and election is made sure.

5 On this subject the Lord says:

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?


6 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and 
aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson.

7 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers 
of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only 
upon the principles of righteousness. (D&C 121:3436)

8 Concerning the calling and election, the Prophet concerning calling and 
election Joseph Smith taught:

9 After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for 
the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of 
hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself 
before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every 
word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted.
When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined 
to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his 
election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other 
Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints . . . (TPJS p. 150)

10 For a man to be numbered with the chosen seed of Abraham, through having 
his calling and election made sure, is the result of obtaining the through 
magnifying calling Melchizedek priesthood, which includes the Aaronic, and 
magnifying his calling.

11 In order for a man holding the Melchizedek priesthood to fully magnify his 
calling, he must obey every law and ordinance of the Gospel, as the way is 
opened by the Lord for him to do so, and offer unto the Lord every sacrifice 
required at his hands, as well as do the work required of him.

12 Concerning the blessings in store for the faithful who magnify their 
priesthood, the Lord has said:

13 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I 
have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit 
unto the renewing of their bodies. 

14 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and 
the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. (D&C 84:3334)

15 Those who obtain the blessings referred to in these two verses are the 
only ones who are chosen and receive the fulness of the priesthood of God, 
as a result of obeying the commandments, the ordinances, and the law of 
sacrifice.

16 The above quotation continues:

And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

17 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; 

18 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; 

19 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore 
all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. (D&C 84:3538)

20 All that the Father has is given to only those who make their calling and 
election surethose who are chosen and receive the fulness of the priesthood 
of God.

21 They who receive this priesthood receive the Savior, as is explained by 
the Prophet Joseph Smith.

22 . . . If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, 
and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

23 Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord 
Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; 
that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of 
Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He 
will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, 
and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach 
him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the 
Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at
when they had such glorious visionsIsaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of 
Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion 
with the  general assembly and Firstborn;held communion with Saints Church of 
the Firstborn. (TPJS p. 150151)

24 All the Saints who pay the price receive this blessing after they have 
obtained the fulness of the priesthood of God, but only one man on earth at a 
time is given the office Moses held.

25 The Lord, in all ages of the world has promised by promised by, to sustain 
1st Grand Head oath and covenant to sustain the man acting in that office.

26 The man acting as His mouthpiece to the whole human family, who stands as 
God to the people, will not lead them astray.

27 But the oath and covenant which belongs to the covenant

priesthood which is confirmed upon men when their calling and election is made 
sure, is the covenant which all receive who are made kings and priests 
eternally after the holy order of God.

28 After men have received this after fulness ofman may fall priesthood, there 
is a possibility of their falling away.

29 Concerning this the Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

30 . . . according to the Scripture, if men have received the good word of 
God, and tasted of the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, 
it is impossible to renew them again, seeing they have crucified the Son of God 
afresh, and put him to an open shame; so there is a possibility of falling away; 
you could not be renewed again, and the power of Elijah can not seal against 
this sin, for this is a reserve made in the seals and power of the priesthood. 
(TPJS p. 339)

31 The priesthood that is confirmed upon a man when he receives the good word 
of Godwhen the Lord says unto him in effect, Son, thou shalt be exalted, is 
the priesthood the Lord had reference to when He said:

32 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the 
priesthood.

33 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and 
covenant of my Father, which he can not break, neither can it be moved. 

34 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether 
turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in 
the world to come. (D&C 84:3941)

35 It is the Melchizedek priesthood that had been conferred upon those present 
when this revelation was given, that the Lord had reference to when he said:

36 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have 
received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own 
voice out of the heavens; . . . (D&C 84:42)

37 Those who receive this blessing become the friends of God, even God's high 
priests, notwithstanding the office or calling they may hold in the Church or 
Kingdom in this life, or whether or not they hold any office at all.

38 This blessing is pertaining to men's individual family affairs, and has 
reference to the office which a man holds over his own posterity eternally, 
when he is made a patriarch, priest, and king, and sealed up to become a 
joint heir with Jesus Christ.

39 The only way men's faith can be measured is by the sacrifices they are 
willing to make.

40 Obedience to all the commandments of the Lord in keeping with the 
baptismal, sacramental and Temple covenants, requires the sacrifice of all 
earthly things as explained in the sixth Lecture on Faith, formerly published 
in the Doctrine and Covenants.

41 Concerning this grand principle the Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if 
a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must 
sacrifice all things. (TPJS p. 322)


42 The faith of men increases in accordance with the sacrifices they make that 
are required by God at their hands.

43 Those who have made every sacrifice required of them, will reap the 
blessings predicated upon the observance of that law, even though they had 
died without a knowledge of the gospel.

44 However, when men have a full opportunity to secure unto themselves the 
greatest blessings and fail to do so because they aspire to the honors of men, 
they can only reap the reward spoken of by the Prophet Joseph Smith when he 
said:

When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive 
it, he will be damned. (TPJS p. 322)

45 The Prophet also said:

God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law 
from Moses. (TPJS p. 322)

46 This has special reference to the law of consecration and the Enoch; law 
of consecration order of Enoch as pertaining to temporal concerns.

47 And this is what the Saints must come to, in these latter days, before the 
Millennium is ushered in, or be smitten and wasted at the coming of the Lord.

48 Therefore a man with the keys and authority Moses held must be here to 
administer all the blessings which were offered to the children of Israel 
under Moses.
 


                             * * * * * * * *



                           PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED


                             S e c t i o n 11


1 The restoration of all the ordinances will not be brought to pass until there 
is a people prepared to receive them.

2 Those who are to receive these blessings must submit to all the laws restored 
through the Prophet Joseph Smith and be united under the banner of heaven, 
according to the principles of the law of the Celestial Kingdom, that a to laws 
of temple might be built, suited to the performance of all the ordinances 
pertaining to the Melchizedek priesthood; whereby the restoration of all things 
necessary to bring the people into a terrestrial state, might be consummated.

3 The faithful, in all past ages have looked forward to the fulfillment of the 
words of the prophets relative to the earth being brought into this condition, 
which event is now very near, but before it comes, the restoration of all 
things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets, must be consummated.

4 The Prophet said in relation to this subject:

This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the 
presence of God. They looked for a city, etc., 'whose builder and maker is 
God.' (Hebrews 11:10) Moses sought to bring the children of Israel into the 
presence of God, through the power of the Priesthood, but he could not. In the 
first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were
Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain 
them; but they prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed. Paul 
spoke of the dispensation of the fullness of times, when God would gather 
together all things in one, etc.; and those men to whom these keys have been 
given, will have to be there; and they without us cannot be made perfect.
(TPJS p. 159)

5 Here we find that in the first ages of the world there were Eliases raised 
up who tried to restore these very glories, which shows that an Elias in one 
sense of the word is a man holding the priesthood necessary to bring the 
people into the presence of God.

6 An Elias, in this sense, is a man holding the office through which 
restoration is brought about under his administration.

7 One writer stated:

Joseph Smith was the Elias, the restorer, the presiding messenger, holding 
the keys of the 'dispensation of the fulness of times.' (The Vision, p. 94)

8 As we have shown, Joseph Smith did not hold all the keys of the priesthood 
pertaining to the last dispensation, therefore an Elias like unto him must be 
raised up to consummate the restoration spoken of by the prophets.

9 It is true that John the Baptist was, in one sense, an Elias, because he 
restored the keys and office he took with him to the grave.

10 He has been called an Elias, in still another sense, because he came in 
his earthly ministry in the spirit and power of Elias.

11 The Prophet Joseph says:

And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, holding 
the keys of the power of Elias, it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from 
the early ages of the world.

12 John's mission was limited to preaching and baptizing . . . 
(TPJS p. 335, 336)

13 From the Inspired Version of the Bible we give the words of the Savior 
concerning two Eliases.

14 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the Scribes that Elias 
must first come?

15 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and 
restore all things, as the prophets have written.

16 And again I say unto you that Elias has come already, concerning whom it 
is written, Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way 
before me; and they knew him not, and have done unto him, whatsoever they 
listed. (Matthew 17:911 I.V.)

17 The preparatory work given to John, in relation to the spirit of Elias, 
among other things, was to prepare the people to receive certain blessings 
which under normal circumstances, could be administered under the authority 
of the office he held.

18 The reader will note carefully the following statement:

The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, 
which is the priesthood of Elias, or the priesthood that Aaron was ordained 
unto. (TPJS p. 335)

19 The office Aaron was ordained unto is called the priesthood of Elias 
because that office has authority necessary to prepare men for the greater 
revelation of God, which those who have received their second anointings are 
in line to receive.

20 The authority necessary to give men their individual blessings necessary to 
make their calling and election sure comes under this priesthood.

21 The keys necessary to do this work are sometimes called the keys of Elijah 
because he was one of the great patriarchs who held these keys.

22 However for the human family to receive collectively the blessings that 
are held in store and associated with the ushering in of the latter day 
glories and the bringing about of a terrestrial condition, the people must 
be organized after the pattern established by Adam and Enoch.

23 This must be brought about in fulfillment of the prophets, as Parley P. 
Pratt stated:

. . . that the kings, nobles, presidents, rulers, judges, counsellors, and 
senators, which compose the general assembly of the Church of the firstborn 
in all these different spheres of temporal and spiritual existence, may sit 
in grand Council, and hold a Congress or court on the earth, to concert 
measures for the overthrow of the mystery of iniquity," the thrones of tyrants, 

the sanctuaries of priestcraft and superstition, and the reign of ignorance, 
sin and death." (JD 2:46)

24 There are three grand divisions of power, authority and government which 
pertain to the Order of Enoch and the Church of the Firstborn.

25 There are three grand offices which stand at the head of these three grand 
divisions of the Church and priesthood government.

26 And there is one office which stands at the head of them all, and presides 
over all things.

27 This office constitutes what is termed the Firstborn cannot exist without, 
right of the Firstborn; and without this office, the firstborn office Church 
of the Firstborn, with all of its ramification of organization, as established 
under the authority of Adam and Enoch in their time, cannot exist upon the 
earth.

28 The man holding the office of presiding patriarch, held by blessings Aaron 
and Hyrum, presides over all the spiritual blessings of the church in concert 
with the man holding the right of the Firstborn, and has the authority to 
perform all the ordinances pertaining to the house of God.

29 The man who stands as the the things, third grand head of priesthood, 
occupying the office of with first grand head Presiding Bishop over the 
Kingdom of God upon the earth, stands next in authority to the man like Moses 
as pertaining to temporal things, and has authority to transact all business 
pertaining to the temporal concerns of the kingdom of God in concert with the 
man holding the office Moses held.

30 The man occupying the office held by branches

Joshua and Brigham Young, that Joshua received under the hand of Moses, and 
Brigham obtained under the hand of Joseph Smith, which pertained to the 
kingdom of God government that was organized under Moses, and again in Nauvoo 
the spring before the Prophet was killed, has authority to transact all the 
business pertaining to the department of the kingdom of God government that 
Joshua and Brigham presided over in the times indicated in concert with the 
man holding the right of the Firstborn which has come down in regular 
succession from before the foundations of the earth.

31 The Prophet Joseph said:

The Priesthood was first given to formed

Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from 
generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world 
was formed . . . (TPJS p. 157)

32 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; therefore, all things 
therein and pertaining thereto become subject, when the will of the Father is 
done on earth as it is done in heaven, to the office which presides over all 
things.

33 This is the condition that will exist when the kingdoms of this world 
become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ.

34 This is the order of Enoch, and this is the condition his people were 
brought to which enabled them to go into the terrestrial state.

35 The order of Enoch, with all of its ramifications of authority and 
organization, is what constitutes the Church of the Firstborn, whether it be 
on earth, or in heaven.

36 This is the kingdom spoken of in the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, 
concerning which the Prophet Joseph Smith stated in a sermon delivered 
May 2, 1844.

37 I calculate to be one of the instruments (In other words, there was to be 
more than one.brackets ours) of setting up the kingdom of Daniel by the word 
of the Lord, and I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole 
world. . . . It will not be by sword or gun that this kingdom will roll on: 
the power of truth is such that all nations will be under the necessity of
obeying the Gospel. (TPJS p. 366)

38 The organization and establishment of this kingdom was commenced in 
Kirtland, Ohio, after John the Beloved had committed the dispensation and 
restored the office which always presides over this kingdom when it is fully 
organized on the earth.

39 Upon this subject, Heber C. Kimball testified:

Here, in the Territory of Deseret, is the kingdom of God, and here are the 
officers pertaining to that kingdom; and here is the organization that is 
organized after the order of God, and it is organized after the Church of the 
First Born.

40 Let me explain what the Church of the First Born is. It is the first 
Church that ever was raised up upon this earth; that is the first born Church. 
That is what I mean; and when God our Father organized that Church, He 
organized it just as His Father organized the Church on the earth where He 
dwelt; and that same order is organized here in the City of Great Salt Lake; 
and it is that order that Joseph Smith the Prophet of God organized in the 
beginning in Kirtland, Ohio. Brother Brigham Young, myself, and others were 
present when that was done, and when those officers received their endowments, 
they were together in one place. They were organized and received their 
endowments and blessings, and those keys were placed upon them, and that 
kingdom will stand forever. (JD 5:129)

41 Aaron and his successors in the priesthood office he held, were given the 
mission to prepare the people for the greater revelation of God, which in one 
sense, was to prepare them for the mission of Christ and the restoration of 
the office office of Moses held.

42 Both John the Baptist and Joseph Smith the prophet, came in the spirit and 
power of Elias, to prepare the people for the restoration of this grand 
office and the establishment of the Church of the Firstborn.

43 After that office was restored to the Prophet office upon Oliver Cowdery,
Joseph Smith, the highest office he had held prior to that time, was put upon 
Oliver Cowdery; afterwards on Joseph Smith senior and later upon Hyrum Smith.

44 The office which presides over and holds the keys of the patriarchal 
priesthood, which was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage 
from Seth to John the Baptist, was taken from the earth with John when he was 
beheaded.

45 Although this is a question that seems to be little understood; the 
priesthood office which John the Baptist restored May 15, 1829 was what he 
had been the last man to hold.

46 The offices of the lesser or Levitical John's death

priesthood were had in the Christian Church after the death of John the 
Baptist, yet there were no more priests after the order of Aaron; but there 
was a priest after the order of Melchizedek at the head.

47 Many suppose that the office of keys Levitical priest holds the keys of 
the to, ministering of angels, which tradition is false.

48 Let us carefully examine the wording used by Joseph and Oliver from John 
the Baptist in ordaining Joseph and Oliver.

49 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the 
Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and 
of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of 
sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of 
Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. (D&C 13)

50 Relative to this the Lord said:

Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver 
Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, 
that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron. (D&C 27:8)

51 Here we learn that John was sent to Joseph and Oliver to confer the first 
office or priesthood that was given to them that
they MIGHT be called and ordained even as Aaron.

52 Inasmuch as John the Baptist was a priest after the order of Aaron, and WAS 

called and ordained even as Aaron, it is evident that John at that time did 
not confer everything he had held in his earthly ministry.

53 Therefore when he said,

Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of 
Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, . . . (D&C 13)

he had reference to nothing more nor less than the patriarchal office Aaron 
held; for this is the office which has held the keys of the ministering of 
angels to the human family since the early ages of the world.

54 Joseph at that time was appointed to hold the keys of that priesthood or 
in other words the office of the presiding patriarch, yet the keys which 
Aaron held were not committed to the Prophet on that occasion. Nor have 
they all been restored to this day, as we have shown.

55 Then when was the Prophet called and ordained even as Aaron?

56 First, he was given the office by John the Baptist.

57 Next, he had the Melchizedek Prophet priesthood conferred upon him by 
Peter, James and John.

58 Next, Peter, James and John gave him the keys which they had received on 
the Mount through Elias.

59 After the Prophet had received all these things, he held the kingdom of 
God in his hands singlehanded as did John the Baptist who Christ referred to 
as the greatest prophet born of woman; and that is all he held when he 
organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
 


                            * * * * * * * *


 
                         PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED 


                            S e c t i o n 12


1 The Prophet Joseph Smith from the very beginning of the Church, held one 
of the two grand selfperpetuating priesthood offices, which is evidenced by 
the following words which were given in February, 1831.

2 O hearken, ye elders of my church, and give ear to the words which I shall 
speak unto you.

3 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye have received a 
commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have appointed unto 
you to receive commandments and revelations from my hand.

4 And this ye shall know assuredly that there is none other appointed unto you 
to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me.

5 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto 
this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not 
have power except to appoint another in his stead. (D&C 43:14)

6 At the time this revelation was given the office Moses held had not as yet 
been committed to the Prophet, therefore, the office above referred to could 
have been none other than the office John the Baptist held.

7 The fact that he came alone to restore it shows that it is a 
selfperpetuating office.

8 Furthermore, the Prophet Joseph could not at that time have held alone the 
keys that Peter, James and John held as a quorum except by virtue of this 
office.

9 Let us now see how the Church organization was carried on anciently.

10 Prior to the time that Christ began his ministry, the work of the ministry 
in the Jewish Church was carried on under the authority of the Jewish Church 
carried on under second grand head of priesthood.

11 After John the Baptist was beheaded, the work of the ministry in the 
Christian church was carried on exclusively under the authority of the lesser 
authority first grand head of priesthood, which of course, includes all lesser 
authority.

12 It is true that the office of evangelical minister was had in the Christian 
Church after the death of John the Baptist; but these patriarchs were ordained 
under the authority of the quorum of the Twelve.

13 Concerning this matter, the Lord, in modern times, has said:

It is the duty of the Twelve, in all large branches of the church, to ordain 
evangelical ministers, as they shall be designated unto them by revelation 
(D&C 107:39)

14 Though the Twelve had the authority to ordain patriarchs, this is no 
indication that they had the authority to institute a second grand head of 
priesthood, as was John the Baptist.

15 If any patriarch of the Christian era had held the authority held by John, 
then it would not have been John's place to come to restore that office.

16 It was by virtue of the authority of this office that the organization was 
carried on between the time of Eleazar and the coming of Christ.

17 In order for the Church organization to be carried on authoritatively, it 
must be done by virtue of at least one of the two grand selfperpetuating 
priesthood offices which hold the right to appoint the lesser authorities.

18 The lesser authority in the priesthood cannot appoint the greater, for as 
John Taylor said, a stream cannot rise higher than its fountain.

19 After the Savior was crucified, the sceptre was again hid from the world, 
and the second grand head of priesthood not being on the earth, the burden of 
the ministry and of leading the Church rested squarely on the shoulders of the 
Apostles, so far as the world was concerned.

20 The Jewish nation having rejected the priesthood sceptre and the church 
of the Firstborn, and the second grand priesthood office which holds the 
oracles of God and the keys of power not being upon the earththe keys to 
lead the people into the Celestial kingdom were placed upon a quorum of 
three.

21 This is the least number in the absence of the two grand heads or 
priesthood presidents which can constitute a quorum equal in authority in 
holding the Kingdom;quorum of 3 necessary in absence of 2 G. heads keys of 
the kingdom, yet subordinate to the grand patriarch holding the keys of power 
that were held by John the Baptist, Isaac, Methuselah and Seth.

22 These keys were given to keys of kingdom Peter, James, and John.

23 They in turn could appoint as many as were necessary to accomplish the work 
in view while they lived, yet they did not have the authority to appoint 
another presidency.

24 John the Revelator remained and carried on the kingdom and held the keys 
single handed by virtue of the first grand selfperpetuating priesthood 
office, which he received by appointment from Christ.

25 Like unto the three Nephite apostles who were translated, he ministered 
among the people until they became so wicked that the Lord would not suffer 
him to longer remain.

26 Thus the murderers who crucified the Lord of Life, were thwarted in their 
attempts to destroy the kingdom of God from off the earth.

27 Although John held the office which presides over all things, he also held 
a lesser office and functioned as a counselor to Peter in the quorum of 
Revelator counsellor to Peter First Presidency; yet it was not to perpetuate 
this office that he was translated.

28 The mission of the ancient apostles was to lead the people to salvation, 

as well as to establish the name of Christ among the children of men.

29 The keys, the knowledge and authority to accomplish this is what was given 
to those men at that time.

30 Thus those three men were entrusted with a very great and important work. 
Consequently, the greater part of the Christian world have taken for granted 
that the authority Peter held is the highest office in the priesthood ever 
instituted on earth.

31 The sceptre having been hid from the world with Christ in God, and the 
second grand priesthood office having been taken from the earth, it 
certainly appeared on the surface that Peter, James and John held the highest 
authority; and that Peter, the chief apostle, was the very head.

32 In this dispensation, because of the lack of preparation among the people 
to receive the greater blessings, and because of the unrelenting 
determination of the wicked to imprison, persecute and shed the blood of 
the prophets of Godthe Lord in His wisdom has seen fit to again bring the 
apostleship of the First Presidency and the Twelve to the front before the 
world, and to keep the two grand heads of priesthood either totally or 
partially concealed.

33 The conditions existing among the Mormon people themselves in the early 
days of the Church seem to have constituted one of the important reasons for 
this.

34 Although there has been much said concerning the righteousness and mighty 
works of the Saints who helped carry the burden of the Lord's work and endured 
the heat of the day in the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph Smith and afterwards 
crossed the plains, settled in Utah and caused the desert to blossom as the 
rose, the true condition of the people of the Church in the early days of Utah 
is portrayed by the following words by selfishness of Elders of Israel 
Brigham Young:

35 I have had visions and revelations instructing me how to organize this 
people so that they can live like the family of heaven, but I cannot do it 
while so much selfishness and wickedness reign in the Elders of Israel.

36 Many would make of the greatest blessings a curse to them, as they do now 
the plurality of wivesthe abuse of that principle will send thousands to hell.

37 There are many great and glorious privileges for the people, which they 
are not prepared to receive.

38 How long it will be before they are prepared to enjoy the blessings God has 
in store for them, I know notit has not been revealed to me.

39 I know the Lord wants to pour blessings upon this people, but were He to 
do so in their present ignorance, they would not know what to do with them. 
They can receive only a very little and that must be administered to them 
with great care... JD 9:269)

40 There are many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of 
God which Brigham Young understood that he could not reveal to the public. 
He understood the organization of the Church of the Firstborn and he knew who 
held the office which presides over that Church, but could not reveal these 
things to the people of his time because they were not prepared to receive 
them.



                             * * * * * * * *



                          PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED


                             S e c t i o n 13


1 That the Church, after being established in the Rocky Mountains, did not 
follow the pattern of Heaven in relation to the presentation of the 
authorities of the Church so far as the second grand priesthood office is 
concerned, is attested to by the following statement by President Joseph F. 
Smith.

2 We have not always carried out strictly the order of the priesthood; we 
have varied from it to some extent; but we hope in due time that, by the 
promptings of the Holy Spirit, we will be led up into the exact channel and 
course that the Lord has marked out for us to pursue, and adhere strictly to 
the order that He has established. I will read from a presentation of 
priesthood revelation that was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo, 
Hancock County, Illinois, January 19, 1841, (D&C 124) which stands as the law 
of the church in relation to the presentation of the authorities of the Holy 
Priesthood as they were established in the Church, and from which I feel we 
have no right to depart. The Lord says:

3 `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 day of redemption 
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.'

4 It may be considered strange that the Lord should give first of all the 
Patriarch; yet I do not know any law, any revelation or any commandment from 
God to the contrary, that has ever been given through any of the Prophets or 
Presidents of the Church. At the same time we well know that this order has 
not been strictly followed from the day we came into these valleys until 
nowand we will not make any change at present. 
(Con. Rep., Nov. 10, 1901, p. 71)

5 As indicated by the above testimony, it is not the order of the priesthood 
for the Presidency and the Twelve to take precedence over the Patriarchy in 
holding the Kingdom;order of priesthood in holding keys of the kingdom and 
in administering the spiritual blessings.

6 Let us here call the attention of the reader to the fact that in the time 
of the Savior, as well as in the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the keys 
of the kingdom were not committed to the apostles at the time of their 
ordination to the presidency and the quorum of Twelve, but at a later date.

7 Therefore, the work that comes under the authority of these offices is one 
commission, and to hold the keys of the kingdom is another.

8 What constitutes the keys of the kingdom, in the sense that they were held 
by the Apostles after the crucifixion of the Savior and the martyrdom of the 
Prophet Joseph Smith? Simply the commission, authority and knowledge to 
perform all of the ordinances necessary, at a given time, to make man's 
calling and election sure.

9 This is what constitutes the apostleship, and not membership in any 
special quorum.

10 The authority of the First Presidency or the appointment Twelve traveling 
council in itself does not constitute the keys of the kingdom, the oracles 
of God, the authority over the temple work, and the independent right, 
without further appointment, to stand as the prophets, seers, and revelators 
to the Church as did the ancient patriarchs.

11 However, as can be observed by understanding the following quotation, the 
man holding the patriarchal office and the keys that were held by Hyrum Smith 
and John the Baptist, which office was instituted in the days of Adam and 
came down by lineage anciently, does hold all of this authority.

12 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant William be appointed, 
ordained, and anointed, as counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of 
my servant Hyrum, that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and 
Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father, by blessing and also 
by right;

13 That from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings 
upon the heads of all my people.

14 That whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses shall be 
cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and 
whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

15 And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and 
a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph; 


16 That he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph; and that he shall 
receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys 
whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessings, and 
glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were 
put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery;

17 That my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall show 
unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance from generation 
to generation, forever and ever. (D&C 124:9196)

18 The man holding the keys pertaining to the office Hyrum held, has the 
authority that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; 
and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 This is the sealing authority, whereby men are sealed up by the Holy Spirit 
of Promise, unto the day of redemption, that Hyrum was appointed to hold by 
his father.

20 This is the authority that has been placed to preside over the office 
authority to preside over temple work and the spiritual blessings of the 
church in the different ages of the world.

21 Relative to this matter let us examine the testimony of Johnson; testimony 
of Benjamin F. Johnson.

22 And now returning to the council and the last charge. Let us remember that 
by revelation he had organized the Holy Priesthood, and that by command of the 
Lord (D&C 124 and 125) had taken from the First Presidency his brother by 
command of the Hyrum to hold as Patriarch, the sealing power, the first and 
highest honor due to priesthood; that he had returned the keys of endowments, 
to the last anointing, and sealing, together with the keys for the salvation 
for the dead, with the eternity of the marriage covenant and the power of 
endless lives.

23 All these keys he held, and under these then existing conditions he stood 
before that association of his select friends, including all of the Twelve, 
and with great feeling and animation he graphically reviewed his life of 
persecution, labor and sacrifice for the church and the kingdom of God, both 
of which he declared were now organized upon the earth, the burden of 
which had become too great for him longer to carry, that he was weary and 
tired with the weight he had so long borne, and he then said, with great 
vehemence:

24 `And in the name of the Lord, I now shake from my shoulders the 
responsibility of bearing off the Kingdom of God to all the world, and here 
and now I place that responsibility, with all the keys, powers and privileges 
pertaining thereto, upon the shoulders of you the I now shake from my 
shoulders "Twelve Apostles, in connection with this council; and if you will 
accept this, to do it, God shall bless you mightily and shall open your way; 
and if you do it not you will be damned.'" (Letter from Benjamin F. Johnson 
to Elder George S. Gibbs, Ensign Vol I. No. 1011, p. 11)

25 In the above quotation are found a number of important facts.

26 1st.That the keys that were given to the Twelve the spring before the 
martyrdom were given to Hyrum prior to that time to hold single handed by 
virtue of the patriarchal office.

27 2nd.That Joseph held all of those keys single handed at the same time 
Hyrum did.

28 3rd.That all the authority that was put upon the Twelve was the authority 
that rightfully belongs to that quorum.

29 4th.That the Twelve were to hold this authority in connection with the 
council of the general authorities of the priesthood.

30 5th.That neither the office Joseph held, nor the office Hyrum held, nor 
the authority of the First Presidency was given to the Twelve.

31 Consequently, when the keys were put upon the to grand heads

Twelve, at that time, they were to hold them subordinate to both grand heads 
of the priesthood.

32 It should be understood that all priesthood authority that was restored 
through the Prophet Joseph Smith was restored for the last time.

33 It has not been commonly known, however, that prior to the martyrdom at 
Carthage, there were two men chosen and properly appointed to hold these 
appointed prior to martyrdom two grand offices after Joseph and Hyrum were 
gone.

 

                             * * * * * * * *
 


                           PRIESTHOOD EXPOUNDED

 
                             S e c t i o n 14


1 It should be borne in mind that the priesthood which remained on the earth 
through John the Beloved, was to continue upon the earth through Joseph Smith 
and his lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets 
should be consummated.

2 Also, it should be remembered that the "never to be taken again" (Sec. 13)

priesthood and authority restored by until John the Baptist was never to be 
taken from the earth again until the an offering sons of Levi offer again an 
offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

3 As strange as it may seem the priesthood sceptre that was held by the Prophet 
Joseph Smith his remained upon the earth.

4 Brigham Young did not hold it, nor did he make any such claims.

5 But to the contrary, he, together with his counselors in the Presidency; 
authority of First Presidency as well as their successors have consistently