Lesson 14 Themes of the Doctrine and Covenants: Priesthood

Transcription

1 Lesson 14 Themes of the Doctrine and Covenants: Priesthood Priesthood Calling Authority Lineage Key Words Scriptures for this Lesson Section 104:1-2, 18 Section 83:3-6 D&C 17:8-17 Genesis 14:17-40 D&C124:7 Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ is a crucial means by which the ministry of Jesus Clu ist is extended to the entire membership of the church. Through the call of God to men and ordination, specific gifts are bestowed upon men. By means of these gifts and the authority of God in which they labor, a variety of minish ies are offered to the church and the world through the multiple offices of priesthood in the Restoration. Jesus demonstrated the essential ministry model for priesthood during the days of his ministry on the earth. He was with the people to whom he ministered. He taught, corrected and encouraged those who came to him. He labored with compassion, charity and patience. He turned the thoughts and hearts of people to worship the Father. Finally, he sacrificially laid down his life for the sheep of his pasture. Almost everything we know about the duties and calling of priesthood has come through the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. The revelations teach us about the origins of priesthood, the offices of priesthood, its responsibilities in pastoral, missionary and presiding minish ies over the church. Priesthood originated in the heart of God. The firnt man ordained was Adam (Genesis 6:70). He was ordained by God. Section 104 explains the ancient history of priesthood. This revelation describes the two priesthoods in the church. The first and greater is called the Melchisedec and the second is called the Aaronic priesthood (D&C 104:1a). Why the first is called the Melchisedec priesthood, is because Melchisedec was Page -99-

2 such a great high priest: before his day it was called the holy priesthood, after the order of the Son of God; but out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchisedec, or the Melchisedec priesthood (D&C 104:1b-c). Melchisedec was a king in the days of Abraham. He was a man of great righteousness and honor before God (Genesis 14:17-40). In his day the priesthood originally known as "the holy priesthood after the order of the Son of God," was called the Melchisedec priesthood and the name has remained to this day. The priesthood named after Melchisedec is the first of the priesthoods. It is given the authority to preside over all aspects of the church. All other authorities, or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood; but there are two divisions, or grand heads--one is the Melchisedec priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic, or Levitical priesthood (D&C 104:2). The meaning of appendage in this scripture is that the other offices of priesthood are attached to the greater priesthood. They provide necessary support and extension of the ministry to which they are attached. According to scripture, the primary office of the Melchisedec priesthood is the high priest. Of the Aaronic is the office of priest. And again, the office of elder and bishop are necessary appendages belonging unto the high priesthood. And again, the offices of teachers and deacons are necessary appendages belonging to the lesser priesthood, which priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons (D&C 83:5). The Melchisedec priesthood is composed of high priests to which the office of elder is attached. There are a variety of priesthood functions related to these offices. High priests are called to serve as the President of the High Priesthood/ Church, apostles, patriarchevangelists and bishops. Elders may be ordained to be Seventies. Melchisedec ministries include presiding over the church in worship meetings, branches, districts, stakes, quorum work, conferences and over the church in general. These offices are also tasked with administering the ordinances of the gospel. The responsibility of overseeing and executing the missionary work of the church rests in this ministry The second priesthood is called the Page -100-

3 Aaronic priesthood. Its name comes from Aaron, the brother of Moses. Aaron was called to preside over the ceremonies and worship of the House of Israel. Aaron and his sons were assisted by the men of the tribe of Levi. The Levites were given the task of assisting Aaron and the Aaronic priests in the worship under the Mosaic Law. They formed the Levitical priesthood and performed tasked associated with the sacrifices and temple worship. The Levitical priesthood is wrapped up in the Aaronic priesthood today and is not a separate order of priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood, as described in the D&C, consists of the offices of priest, teacher and deacon. Their duties are described in Section 17: These duties include some of the gospel ordinances, presiding in the absence of Melchisedec priesthood, teaching principles of being a Saint, prayer, family and membership duties, preaching, exhorting, expounding scripture, guiding, counseling and assisting the members in fulfilling their covenants to the Lord. These are training and shepherding ministries. The various offices of priesthood are as follows: High Priest President of the High Priesthood (prophet) and counselors Apostles Evangelist-Patriarch Bishop and counselors Any other office of priesthood Elder Seventies Aaronic Priest Teacher Deacon The scriptures teach that priesthood is bestowed only upon males. This has been the source of much controversy in the church, especially since the 1970s. The confusion lies in the understanding of gifts and calling. Every member of the church receives one or more gifts by virtue of baptism and confirmation. These gifts vary between the members. Priesthood is a specific set of gifts and it does not imply a greater worth to priesthood than other members, simply different duties and responsibilities. A member is not less useful, necessary or honorable than a priesthood member. All members are to minister in their gifts and in the arena in which they are called to serve. An important aspect of priesthood is the concept of lineage. Lineage means the right of a person to follow in the same office or duty as an ancestor. The D&C says it this way, The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner (D&C 104:18). Page -101-

4 Priesthood is designed to be passed from father to son in those families where the men are faithful. It was the pattern in the days of old and the Lord has chosen to continue that pattern today. This pattern was reaffirmed in April 1897 when the Lord spoke through Joseph Smith III in Section 124. In D&C 124:7, the Lord spoke directly. to the sons of the men in the First Presidency and other leading quorums. The sons were put on alert that they were in line to follow their fathers in the same places of service, when the time was right. The men were admonished to prepare themselves. The language of the revelation warns that right does not guarantee position or success. and to their sons shall come honor,orshame,asthey shall approve, or disapprove themselves to God. These sons of my servants are called, and if faithful shall in time be chosen to places whence their fathers shall fall, or fail, or be removed by honorable release before the Lord and the church (D&C 124:7d-e). Lineage is not the only qualification for service and a lack of a lineal history does not disqualify one from service in priesthood. When priesthood keys are given to a family line, the Lord intends to pass those keys through subsequent generations. The sons of priesthood have not always been willing or able to serve in the places once occupied by their fathers for a variety of reasons. The early lineage of priesthood is outlined in the opening verses of Section 104. Verse 2 describes the beginning and several generations of high priests. Verse 3 shows the start of the Aaronic priesthood line. Priesthood in the Restoration was introduced before the church was officially organized. On May 15, 1829, Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the office of Aaronic Priest under the authority of John the Baptist (RLDS CH 1:33-38). Later, under the authority of Peter, James and John, Joseph and Oliver were ordained as elders. This second ordination was not to be performed until the church was organized and the members of the church had the opportunity to voice their consent to receive the ministry of these men as spiritual teachers (RLDS CH 1 :59-60 quoting Times and Seasons, vol. 3, p. 915). This is one of the ways in which the principle of common consent is active in the church. Priesthood is a intended to be a gift of blessing to the church and to the world. Through priesthood, the ministry of Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer, Shepherd, Healer, Provider, Teacher, Friend and Judge ought to be revealed. Through the multitude of offices in the priesthood system revealed in the D&C, these ministries are identified. It is not only through priesthood that these are seen, but scripture often speaks of keys of ministry given to priesthood. Page -102-

5 The idea of keys of ministry is spoken of over 40 times in the Doctrine and Covenants. Through priesthood certain ministries, knowledge and power are made available for the benefit of all. God uses priesthood as the means of opening the doors of heaven to release and administer these keys. The power and authority of the higher, or Melchisedec, priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church; to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; to have the heavens opened unto them (D&C 104:9a). The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic, priesthood is, to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances--the letter of the gospel--the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeably to the covenants and commandments (D&C 104:10). the Twelve being sent out, holding the keys to open the door by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and first unto the Gentiles, and then unto the Jews (D&C 104:13b). In Section 83 the Lord describes the priesthood as a blessing to those ordained and to those who receive (accept and heed) the ministry of these two priesthoods. It is a covenant of blessing to all. 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: they become the sons of Moses and of Aaron, and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom and the elect of God; and also all they who receive this priesthood receiveth me, saith the Lord, for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father, and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom. Therefore, all that my Father hath shall be given unto him; and this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved; but whoso breaketh this Page -103-

6 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 83:6c-h). Through the covenant of priesthood the word and power of God is given to all who receive it. To the ordained the promise that faithful labor for the Lord in their office and calling will bring blessings and Celestial glory (my Father's kingdom). To the un-ordained, a blessing that is the same because they have received those who are sent. By faith they obtain the same promise as those who by faith deliver it. Thus there is no difference in promise or honor, only in duty. It is important not to pass by the warning of the Lord concerning priesthood and those who reject the word and ministry it provides. Rejection brings a loss of what might have been. More critical yet, is the warning for those who have received it and then break the covenant. For them there is no forgiveness in this life or the lift to come. This is a sin of perdition, i.e., a sin equal to what Satan did in his rejection of the only true and living God and setting himself up as his own god. This is a sin of the second death. Priesthood is a concept that has been abused in some Christian systems and downplayed in others. The tendency of people is to misunderstand the ordination as a mark sufficient to cause the person who has received it as one for who special honor and status should be given. The ministry was never intended by God as a way to elevate men to places of honor in the sight of other people. We have shown in scripture that the blessings of priesthood are not restricted to the ordained, but freely available to all. Priesthood, as revealed in the D&C, is a marvelous mechanism of God for developing a holy and righteous people who love God, keep his commandments and live together in the peace of God. It is best understood through the revelations of the latter days. It is absolutely necessary for the perfection of a people worthy of the city of Zion. Page -104-

7 Questions for Discussion What is the definition of priesthood? 2. When did priesthood on earth begin? 3. Who is the great High Priest of our faith? 4. What is the origin of the name Melchisedec? 5. What is the origin of the name Aaronic? 6. What is meant by an office being an appendage to a priesthood? 7. Name the offices of the Melchisedec priesthood. 8. Name the office of the Aaronic priesthood. 9. What is the role of lineage in priesthood? 10. When was priesthood restored to the earth in the latter days? 11. When were the first Melchisedec ordinations performed in the latter days? 12. What is meant by the covenant of priesthood? 13. Why is this covenant important? Page -105-