PRIESTHOOD OF THE LORD

 

PART 2

 

Here is how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints received their priesthood authority.

 

When Jesus was here on the earth, He ordained his original Apostles with the priesthood and the authority to be able to pass it on and to build His church.  This authority was lost when they were killed.

 

Throughout history, The Lord chose Prophets to talk to and gave certain ones Dispensations, a period of time where they did their work.  Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses had their dispensations, but for the Last Dispensation or the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, He chose a young boy of 14 named Joseph Smith, to re-establish His church in the Last Days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  Knowing that the priesthood was not on the earth in Joseph Smiths time, the Priesthood has to be brought back by someone who held the authority.

 

The Restored church had to have the true authority that is recognized by God to perform baptisms, and the Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. 

 

In May 1829 while Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were translating the Book of Mormon plates, they came across the a place that talked about baptism.  They stopped, and agreed to go to a quiet place and pray and ask about baptisms and authority.

 

They went to the river nearby to pray.  Just after beginning, John the Baptist appeared to them and Conferred on them the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood and were instructed to baptize each other.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 27: 8  Words of the Lord to Joseph Smith:

 

8 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;

 

The words of John the Baptist:  D&C 13:

 

1 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.

 

Later, the original Apostles Peter, James and John appeared and Conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and the authority of the Laying on of Hands and all the other ordinances that were needed to begin building the Kingdom of God on the earth again.  This is what the Lord said again:

 

Doctrine and Covenants 27: 12

 

12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;

 

Anyone in the church that holds the priesthood can show their Line of Authority back to Jesus Christ.  They either carry it or can get it.

 

Some say that a Church is not needed but we believe that it is needed to confer ordnances and covenants.  These ordinances and covenants have to be done by priesthood authority and that authority needs to be overseen to make sure it is performed right and used right. 

 

Priesthood holders can be rich or poor, from all nationalities and walks of life, educated or not, young or old.  They are just normal people.  They do not receive any formal training and are not paid for their service and time.  They do not appoint themselves to priesthood positions.  They are called by inspiration from God from their leaders in authority in church positions like Bishops, Stake Presidents, Apostles and others.  The Lord's house is a house of order, not of confusion.

 

See John 15:16

 

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit....

 

The duties of priesthood holders, depending on which priesthood they hold, perform Baptisms, Conferral of the Holy Ghost by the Laying on of Hands.  They also bless the sick and afflicted using pure olive oil that has been consecrated for the healing of the sick and then confirm the blessing by laying their hands on them.

 

See James 5: 14-15

 

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

 

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 

That person shall be healed according to the Faith of that person, the faith of the one giving the blessing and the Will of the Lord, unless that person is appointed unto death to come to Him. 

 

They also Bless the Sacrament.  Through the ordinance of taking the Sacrament, you are cleansed as you were at baptism.

 

Their duties are conferring the priesthood and ordaining others to priesthood offices.

 

When we speak of Priesthood Keys we are not talking of keys like your car or house keys.  These Keys unlock the flow of Authority and Power and Direct and Control the Priesthood use in the Church and Kingdom here on earth.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 16: 19

 

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

What is meant by binding on earth and binding in Heaven, the Lord is saying that He will Recognize what His Servants do on earth with Priesthood Authority.  He will then Recognize in Heaven that action and will be effective there also. 

 

This means Baptisms, Conferring the Priesthood, and whatever is done with Priesthood Authority will be in force in Heaven also. 

 

Those who are Ordained into certain Offices get the Keys to that office.

Those who hold the Priesthood of God, received from those who have the authority, have authority, but the Power of the Priesthood only comes by how we live our lives.   As stated in Part 1, I repeat this again:

Doctrine and Covenants 121: 36  

36 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.

For more information or to read the scriptures directly, go to www.lds.org and search out the site.