"There are, in the church, two Priesthoods, namely, the Melchisedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchisedek Priesthood, is because Melchisedek was such a great High Priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. * * * All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this Priesthood;" Doc. & Cov. 107. 1-5.

In the ordinances of this Priesthood "The power of Godliness is manifest; and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;" 84. 20, 21.

This Priesthood, or Order of the Son of God. is "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;" Heb. 7. 3. Its authority and powers have ever existed, and there has never been wanting intelligences to manifest them through its ordinances.

"This greater Priesthood administereth the Gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God;" Doc. & Cov. 84. 19. That this passage refers to a personal knowledge of God is evident from verse 22, "For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live." This is a distinct line drawn between the two Priesthoods.

That man could not attain to the knowledge which would admit him to the presence of God, without the Melchisedek Priesthood, "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; 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. Therefore he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;" verses 23-25.

The Latter-day Saints have this Priesthood, with its authority, ordinances and blessings. How they have obtained it, is a very important question. Peter was the chief of the apostles, in the Gospel dispensation, from which we understand that the Presidency of the Melchisedek Priesthood, in that dispensation, was vested in him, and that it was through him that its succession could be again restored to the earth. We find that in June, 1829, a revelation was given, making known the calling of a Council of Twelve Apostles; Doc & Cov. 18. 27.

It is evident that between the fifteenth of May, 1829, and the time when this revelation was given, in June following, Joseph Smith, Jun., O. Cowdery, and D. Whitmer were called to the Melchisedek Priesthood. For the Lord, speaking to O. Cowdery and D. Whitmer, said, "I speak unto you, even as unto Paul mine apostle, for you are called even with the same calling with which he was called;" verse 9.

While Joseph Smith, Jun., is not mentioned here as an apostle, we have the information in a revelation given April, 1830, that he was the first apostle and elder of this church, "Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ, to be the FIRST ELDER of this church; and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the SECOND ELDER of this church, and ordained under his hand;" Doc. & Cov. 20. 2, 3.

We are informed in sec. 27. 12, under date of September, 1830, who ordained them; "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."

The presidency of Peter, James and John are plainly asserted in the above passages; the thirteenth verse, with the context, informs us that they bestowed the presidency of this dispensation on Joseph Smith and others: "Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the Gospel for the last time; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth." We are informed that these primitive apostles also testified that they held this presidency of the Melchisedek Priesthood: "The voice of Peter, James and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times;" 128. 20.

In the thirty-seventh verse of sec. 18, the Lord designated O. Cowdery and D. Whitmer as two men he had chosen to search out the then future Twelve, whom the Lord declares, in the twenty-seventh verse were already called. This selection, of the Council of Twelve Apostles, was not made until February 14, 1835, over five years afterwards.

The most comprehensive evidence that Joseph Smith. Jun., received the authority and power of the Holy Priesthood, is that the works of John the Baptist, of Jesus and his apostles, are being again done on the earth by his administration. To receive the powers of this Priesthood, it is necessary that men should obey the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

The Lord has personally appeared to some men, and covenanted with them as he did with Abraham; Gen. 12. 1-3. chap. 13. 14-17. The Lord also personally called and authorized his twelve Jewish apostles. So fully were they authorized to labor for him, and act in his name, that he said to them, "He that receiveth you receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me;" Matt. 10. 40.

More generally, it is from the prophets and apostles of Christ that men receive the Priesthood. Many received it under the hands of the apostles of the first Gospel dispensation. Those who have received it in this latter-day dispensation, have received it from Joseph Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery, and, in doing so, have received it through a legitimate channel from God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. Those who have received this Priesthood have covenanted with God the Father, and he with them. This is evidently the view taken of the subject in the above passage quoted from Matthew.

The doctrine is more fully illustrated in Doc. & Cov.: "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;" 84. 35-39.

Bible.

Gen. 14. 18, 20 Melchisedek, king of Salem, blessed Abraham. Heb. 7. 1, 2.

Psalm 110. 4 thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek. Heb. 5. 6, 10. Chap. 6. 20.

Acts 14. 23 and when they had ordained them elders in every church.

20. 17 sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church.

Titus 1. 5 and ordain elders in every city.

Heb. 2 17 a faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

3. 1 the Apostle and High Priest of our profession.

4. 14 a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God.

15 not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

5. 1 every high priest taken from among men is ordained. 8. 3.

8. 1, 2 Jesus Christ an high priest, and minister of the sanctuary. 3, 5.

10. 19-21 boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

Book of Mormon.

Mos. 29. 42 the office of high priest conferred on Alma by his father.

Alma 4. 4 Alma high priest over the church. 20. Chap. 5. 3, 49, 51.

6. 1 ordained priests and elders according to the holy order of God. 8.

13. 1, 2. ordained priests after the order of his Son, that the people might know how to look forward to the redemption of his Son.

3 Nephi 18. 5 one ordained to bless bread, and break it.

Doctrine & Covenants.

Sec. 18. 27-39 duty of the Twelve Apostles to preach the Gospel.

21. 1 J. Smith, Jun., to be called a seer, translator, prophet and apostle.

10, 11 J. Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery ordain each other.

27. 5-11 personages who held important keys of the Priesthood, in former dispensations.

28. 2 none to receive revelations for the church but J. Smith, Jun.

Sec. 102. organization of the first High Council of the church.

106. 1 W. A. Cowdery appointed and ordained a presiding high priest.

107. 33 the Twelve are a traveling presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord under the direction of the Presidency of the church agreeable to the institution of heaven to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations; first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews.

Pearl of Great Price.

Page 26. Abraham became a high priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.

28. Pharaoh was of that lineage which could not have the right of Priesthood.

Miscellaneous Passages.

John 15. 16 ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.

1 Cor. 5. 5 offenders to be delivered to Satan by the Priesthood.

2 Cor. 5. 20 now then we are embassadors for Christ.

Heb. 5. 4 no man taketh this honor, but he that is called of God.

7. 15-28 another priest who is made after the power of endless lives.

9. 11-28 Christ the great sacrifice, the Mediator of the New Testament.

10. 19-21 boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus.

1 Peter 2. 5 an Holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices. 25.

Rev. 1. 6 and hath made us kings and priests unto God. 5. 10. Chap. 20. 6.

7. 3 sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.

Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 6. 2 called of God and ordained after his holy order.

Mos. 3. 23 I have spoken what the Lord hath commanded me.

23. 16, 17 none received authority to teach except from God.

Alma 7. 22 ye may walk after the holy order of God. Chap 8. 4.

13. 3 being called and prepared, from the foundation of the world.

5-20 calling, foreordination and eternal duration of the Priesthood.

17. 3 they taught with power and authority from God.

18 Ammon imparted the word of God to his brethren.

49. 30 word of God declared by those ordained after the holy order of God.

Hel. 8. 18 many before Abraham who were called by the order of God. Ether 12. 10.

Doctrine & Covenants.

Lecture on Faith, Sec. 2. genealogy of the Priesthood from Adam to Abraham.

Sec. 1. 17, 18 J. Smith, Jun., authorized to declare the Gospel, that the prophets might be fulfilled.

30 that they might have power to organize the true church.

2. 1, 2 the Priesthood to be revealed by Elijah.

19. 9 I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing.

29. 4 ye are chosen out of the world to declare my Gospel.

35. 18 the keys of those things that have been sealed, given to J. Smith, Jun.

42. 11 ordination to be done by one having authority.

65 unto you is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom. 69.

64. 5 the keys of the kingdom not to be taken from J. Smith, Jun.

68. 2 this is an ensample to all who were ordained to this Priesthood.

72. 1 the kingdom and power given to the high priests of the church.

77. 11 those to be sealed out of the tribes of Israel are high priests. Rev. 7. 4-8.

78. 1 hearken to me you who are ordained to the High Priesthood.

84. 6-16 lineage of the Priesthood from the sons of Moses back to Adam.

25, 26 the Lord took Moses and the Holy Priesthood from the midst of Israel.

29 offices of elder and bishop necessary appendages to the Melchisedek Priesthood.

33, 34 those faithful to the obtaining of these two Priesthoods, become the sons of Moses and Aaron.

86. 8 saith the Lord to you with whom the Priesthood hath continued. 10, 11.

113. 8 the strength of Zion is the power of the Priesthood.

121. 21 neither they nor their posterity shall have a right to the Priesthood.

36-45 the necessity of exercising the powers of the Priesthood in meekness.

124. 33, 34 temples necessary for the purposes of the holy Priesthood.

91-95 H. Smith clothed with the same Priesthood and gifts as were once bestowed on O. Cowdery.

123 the offices and keys of the Priesthood, on J. Smith, Jun.

124 H. Smith holds the sealing blessings of the church.

135-145 instructions concerning various quorums.

127. 8 the Lord about to restore many things pertaining to the Priesthood.

128. 8 nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the Priesthood.

132. 44 then shall you have power by my Holy Priesthood to take her.

58 many things pertaining to the law of the Priesthood.

Pearl of Great Price.

Page 13. the same Priesthood, in the beginning and end of the world.

17. thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days.

23. and the Lord ordained Noah after his order.

29. the seed of Abraham to bear this mission and Priesthood to all nations.

THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD.

John the Baptist was the acknowledged forerunner of Christ, and, as such, he preached the preparatory Gospel of repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins. His father, Zacharias, was a priest of the course of Abia, and his mother was of the daughters of Aaron; Luke 1. 5.

Thus the Aaronic Priesthood was the heritage of John the Baptist. His ministry evidences that he was clothed with its authority. That the chain of evidence might be complete, regarding this fact, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith, Jun., that he was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood by an angel; Doc. & Cov. 84. 28. Being the first man ordained to it in the former Gospel dispensation, he holds the presidency of that Priesthood in all subsequent dispensations.

As a sequence, the man who should open up the last dispensation must receive it from him. We have the testimony of Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, that John the Baptist did ordain them to this Priesthood, using the following words, "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;" Doc. & Cov., sec. 13.

"The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchisedek, which Priesthood he said should in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder, and Oliver the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of the messenger and baptized;" His. of J. Smith, Jun., May 15, 1829.

Thus was the succession of the Lesser Priesthood again restored to the earth.

Bible.

Gen. 29. 34 Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah.

50. 7 all the elders of his house, and of the land of Egypt.

Exo. 3. 16 go and gather the elders of Israel together.

6. 16 names of the sons of Levi.

17. 5 take with thee of the elders of Israel.

18. 1 Jethro, the priest of Midian.

19. 7 Moses called for the elders. 22.

28. 1 Aaron and his sons set apart to minister in the priest's office. Chap. 29. 44. Chap. 30. 30. Chap. 40. 13, 15.

Lev. 7. 35, 36 Aaron and his sons anointed priests by a statute throughout all their generations. 4. 15.

Chap. 8. Aaron and his sons anointed and clothed in their priestly garments.

Chap. 16. an enumeration of many of the duties of Aaron.

Num. 3. 1-10 Aaron and his sons appointed to the priest's office.

3. 12 the Levites taken in place of the first-born of Israel.

Chap. 4. an enumeration of some of the duties of the priests and Levites.

11. 25 the Lord gave his Spirit unto the seventy elders.

16. 10 seek ye the Priesthood also?

Chap. 18. the Lord's charge to Aaron and his sons.

35. 2-8 the cities of refuge the inheritance of the Levites.

Deut. 10. 8, 9 Levi had no inheritance with his brethren.

21. 5 the Priesthood of Levi had authority to try all manner of controversy.

31. 28 go gather all the elders of your tribes.

2 Chron. 29. enumerates several duties of the Priesthood.

31. 4-11 tithing to be received by the Aaronic Priesthood.

Psalm 99. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests.

107. 32 praise him in the assembly of the elders.

132. 9 let thy priests be clothed with righteousness.

Isa. 61. 6 ye shall be named the priests of the Lord.

66. 21 I will take of them for priests and Levites, saith the Lord.

Ezek. 8. 1 I sat in mine house, and the elders of Israel before me.

45. 4 Levitical Priesthood the ministers of the sanctuary.

Joel 1. 14 gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land.

Mal. 2. 4-6 God's covenant with Levi for his righteousness.

3. 3 he shall purify and purge the sons of Levi.

Phil. 1. 1 to the Saints, bishops and deacons.

1 Tim. 3. 1-13 qualifications and duties of bishops and deacons.

Doctrine & Covenants.

Sec. 20. 38-71 the duties of elders, priests, teachers, deacons and members of the church of Christ.

41. 9 E. Partridge ordained first bishop to the church.

42. 12-14 instructions to elders, priests and teachers.

68. 14, 15 bishops to be high priests, unless literal descendants of Aaron.

16, 17 the first born held the right of presidency in the Aaronic Priesthood.

22-24 a bishop can be tried only by the First Presidency of the church.

72. 18-20 N. K. Whitney ordained. Duties of bishops.

84. 18 the Lord confirmed a Priesthood on Aaron and his sons for ever.

107 the lesser Priesthood to go before and prepare the way.

Sec. 107. the higher and lesser Priesthoods, their organizations, the duties pertaining to their various offices, and the lineage of the Priesthood.

EVANGELISTS OR PATRIARCHS.

In the History of Joseph Smith, under date of June 27, 1839, will be found the following: "An Evangelist is a Patriarch, even the oldest man of the blood of Joseph or of the seed of Abraham. Whenever the Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints, as it was with Jacob in giving his patriarchal blessing unto his sons," etc.

As the singular number is here used, exclusively, doubtless the Prophet Joseph, in the above passage, speaks of then Patriarch of the whole church.

In the History of Joseph Smith, under date of September 14, 1840, we are informed that Joseph Smith, Sen., Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at Nauvoo. In a biographical sketch of him, of the same date, we are informed that he was ordained to this office, on the eighteenth of December, 1833.

The distinguishing feature between his calling and that of other patriarchs is, that he was patriarch of the whole church, while others were ordained patriarchs in the church. Of the latter was John Young, Sen., who was ordained a patriarch in the church by the Prophet Joseph Smith, in 1834; His. of J. Smith, under date of Aug. 8, 1844.

"It is the duty of the Twelve, in all large branches of the church, to ordain evangelical ministers, (or patriarchs), as they shall be designated unto them by revelation;" Doc. & Cov. 107. 39.

"The order of this (patriarchal) 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;" verses 40-57.

From the last quotation it is evident that if a man holds the High Priesthood, by virtue of that Priesthood he is patriarch over his own posterity, and as such has a right to bestow upon them patriarchal blessings.

A little more than four months after the death of the Patriarch, Joseph Smith, Sen., in a revelation given to his son Joseph, occurs the following: "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, that from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people, 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;" Doc. & Cov. 124. 91-93.

From this we learn, that Joseph Smith, Sen., inherited the Patriarchal Priesthood, by right from the fathers over the house of Israel in this dispensation. For this right to have descended to him, by lineage, he must of necessity be an Ephraimite, for Ephraim, by the right of appointment and ordination by his father Jacob, is the head of Israel. This fact is plainly stated in the Scriptures: "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright;" 1 Chron. 5. 1.

Just before his death, in blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob adopted the sons of Joseph as his own. Said he, "Let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;" Gen. 48. 16. For this reason, these two sons of Joseph, each, had a name as the head of tribes in Israel, "and he set Ephraim before Manasseh;" Gen. 48. 20.

The Lord further declared through his prophet Jeremiah, "I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn;" 31. 9.

By virtue of this adoption of Ephraim, as the head of the house of Israel, and Joseph Smith, Sen., being the oldest son of Ephraim, holding the Priesthood in this dispensation, he is Patriarch of the whole church, by right. This right should be perpetuated in his family, as the oldest branch of the tribe of Ephraim.

If, from any cause, there should be failure of a son to exercise this right, then the office would be filled from the next eldest branch of the family.

This has been the case in the short history of the church. When Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, the latter had no son old enough to fill the office of patriarch, and John, his eldest living brother, was ordained to the office vacated by his death.

After the death of father John Smith, the office reverted back to the family of Hyrum Smith, for his oldest son John had grown to manhood, and was ordained Patriarch of the whole church.

Bible.

Gen. 8. 21, 22 God covenanted with Noah, that he would not again destroy all flesh.

9. 1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said, be fruitful and multiply.

24-27 Noah cursed Canaan, and blessed Shem and Japhet.

12. 1-3 the Lord promised Abraham that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed. 26. 4.

7 the land of Canaan promised to Abraham and his seed.

13. 15-17 I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth.

14. 18, 19 Melchisedek took bread and wine and blessed Abraham.

16. 10 the angel said to Hagar, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly.

17. 6 I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7 God covenants to be a God to Abraham and his seed.

16 Abraham is promised that Sarah should be a mother of nations.

19 the Lord promised to establish his covenant with Isaac.

20 Ishmael to become a great nation.

22. 17 the seed of Abraham to possess the gate of their enemies.

24. 60 Rebecca to be the mother of thousands of millions.

25. 23 Rebecca is promised that she should be the mother of two nations.

27. 28, 29 Isaac's blessing on his son Jacob.

39, 40 Jacob's blessing on Esau.

28. 1-4 Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram and blesses him.

31. 55 Laban kissed and blessed his sons and daughters.

32. 12 Jacob claims the blessings of Abraham and Isaac.

24-29 the Lord wrestles with and blesses Jacob at Peniel.

35. 10-12 the Lord names Jacob Israel, and declares that a company of nations shall come of him.

46. 2-4 Jacob is promised that he should be made a great nation in Egypt, and be brought out again.

48. 15-20 Jacob's blessings on the sons of Joseph.

49 1 Jacob called his sons together to bless them.

22-24 Joseph a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall; * * * from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.

Book of Mormon.

1 Nephi 5. 5 I have attained a land of promise.

2 Nephi 1. 31, 32 the seed of Zoram to be blessed with the seed of Nephi.

3. 3 Lehi promised Joseph that his seed should not be utterly destroyed. 25.

5 a righteous branch to be raised up from the loins of Joseph.

24 a mighty man to be raised up among the seed of Joseph the son of Lehi.

4. 9 the blessing of the children of Laman left on the children of Lemuel.

Ether 1. 43 none greater than the nation I will make of thee.

2. 7, 15 but they shall come forth to a land of promise choice above all other lands.

Pearl of Great Price.

Page 26. Abraham sought for the blessings of the fathers, and obtained his right to the office of high priest, which came down to him through the fathers from Adam.

See sermon by P. P. Pratt, J. of D., Vol. 1. page 256.

" J. Smith, " " 6, " 237.

" B. Young, " " 9, " 86, at Mill Creek.

" B. Young, " " 9, " 279.

" B. Young, Des. News, " 11, " 68.

" B. Young, Des. Eve. News, June 2, 1877, at Logan.

" B. Young, Mil. Star, Vol. 15, page 493.

Article, Mil. Star, Vol. 4, page 1.

" " " 15, page 486.

" J. A. Little, Mil. Star, Vol. 18, page 145.

" Geo. Taylor, " " 19, page 796.

" C. W. Penrose, " " 29, page 177.

O. Spencer's Letters to Rev. Wm. Crowel, No. 9.

A pamphlet, Items on Priesthood, by John Taylor.

A Pamphlet, Succession in the Priesthood, by John Taylor.

History of J. Smith, June 1829.

" " April 13, 1833.

" " May 2, 1835.

" " July 2, 1839.

" " April 28, 1842.

" " May 1, 1842.