What little knowledge we have of this doctrine we have received from Jesus Christ, the author of it, and from those whom he has sent to teach mankind. From these we learn that a resurrection has occurred, and that there will be others at different periods of time, as well as under different circumstances.
The resurrection is predicated on the death or dissolution of the earth, and all organizations pertaining to it. As the fall of Adam brought death or dissolution, so the death and resurrection of Christ will bring to pass a restoration to life, of all creatures that have been affected by the fall.
That Christ well understood the great object of his earthly mission, is evident from many of his sayings previous to his death and resurrection. Early in his ministry he said to Nicodemus, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life;"John3. 14, 15.
On another occasion Jesus said to Martha the sister of Lazarus, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;"John11. 25. At another time, in talking with the Pharisees, he said, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and to take it up again;"John10. 17, 18.
We are informed that one resurrection has already taken place, and that it occurred at the resurrection of our Savior. "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many;"Matt. 27. 52, 53.
The following indicates that the prophet Isaiah had a prophetic glimpse of this resurrection; "Thy deadmenshall live,togetherwith my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead;"Isa. 26. 19.
It would appear that the Psalmist, David, looked forward for redemption from the dead, at the resurrection of Christ. "My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption;"Psalm16. 9, 10.
The Book of Mormon is much more definite and comprehensive on this subject than the Bible. "And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ: for so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection * * * And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. And little children also have eternal life;"Mos. 15. 21-25.
This declaration of the prophet-king, Mosiah, was made about 100 B. C. Alma, who lived and prophesied a few years later, says, "And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection; a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead;"Alma40. 16.
From these passages quoted from the Book of Mormon, and their contexts, it is evident that the Nephite Saints looked forward to the resurrection of Christ from the dead, for their deliverance from the grave, with the same assurance that the Latter-day Saints anticipate their resurrection at his second coming.
By way of explanation, the prophet Alma adds, "The resurrection meaneth the re-uniting of the soul with the body of those from the days of Adam, down to the resurrection of Christ;" 40. 18, 19.
The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, speaking of the resurrection of Christ, says, "And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many Saints shall appear unto many;"Hel. 14. 25. During Christ's ministry among the Nephites, his disciples testified that this prophecy was fulfilled; 3Nephi23. 10.
Bible.
Job19. 25 for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
Matt. 17. 9 until the Son of Man be risen from the dead.Mark9.9. 27. 64 and the people say he is risen from the dead.
28. 6 he is not here, for he is risen as he said.Mark16. 6, 9, 14.
Luke24. 34 the Lord is risen, indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
John2. 19-21 destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
5. 25 the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God.
26 the Father gave to the Son to have life in himself.
8. 28 when ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am he.
12. 32 if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me.
Acts1. 22 must one be ordained to be a witness of his resurrection.
2. 31 David spake of the resurrection of Christ. 32.
26. 23 that he should be the first that should rise from the dead.
Rom. 8. 34 is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God.
14. 9 died and rose that he might be Lord of the dead and living.
Col 1. 18 who is the beginning, the first born from the dead.
Rev. 1. 18 I am he that liveth and was dead.
Book of Mormon.
2Nephi2. 8, 9 he layeth down his life and taketh it again, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead.Mos. 13. 35.
Mos. 16. 9 he is a life that is endless, that there can be no more death. 10.
3Nephi6. 20 testifying of the death of Christ and of his resurrection, in all the land.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 18. 12 he hath risen from the dead, that he might bring all men to him.
Pearl of Great Price.
Page21. the Saints arose at the resurrection of Christ. The spirits that were in prison came forth.
Those who have lived and died since the resurrection of Christ, in the hope of a resurrection from the dead, are looking forward to the time of his coming, in the latter days, for their redemption from the grave. "Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are aliveandremain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air;" 1Thess. 4. 14-17.
Christ said to his Nephite disciples who were to remain until his coming, "When I shall come in my glory, ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality;" 3Nephi28. 8.
The Lord said to Joseph Smith, the Seer, "Behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory, with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall be cut off; * * and the Saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud;"Doc. & Cov., 45. 44, 45.
We have seen by previous reference to the Book of Mormon, that the heathen nations, and those who knew no law, should be resurrected when Christ arose from the dead. The Lord revealed to Joseph, the Seer, that this should also take place when he comes in his glory. "And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection;"verse54.
The Lord gave Joseph, the Seer, a further description of this glorious event. "And immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled; and the Saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened, and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth; for their graves shall be opened, and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven: They are Christ's, the first fruits: they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him;" 88. 95-98.
Then comes the redemption of those who have received their part in that prison that is prepared for them;verse99. "Then cometh the spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found under condemnation; and these are the rest of the dead, and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth;"verses100 and 101. These appear to be the only ones of the family of man whose bodies remain in their graves until the last resurrection.
Bible.
Dan. 12. 2 many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
Luke14. 14 for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Rev. 11. 18 the time of the dead, that they should be judged.
20. 5, 6 blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 29. 13 the dead who have died in Christ shall come forth.
63. 18 they shall not have part in the first resurrection. 49, 51.
76. 50-70 concerning those who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.
71-80 concerning those of the terrestrial world who shall rise in the first resurrection.
88. 100 then cometh the spirits of men who are still under condemnation.
John, the Revelator, has left us a short description of this resurrection, and of the judgment connected with it. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works;"Rev. 20. 12, 13.
At that time, the earth, having filled the measure of its creation, in this order of things, will undergo a change that will fit it for the residence of exalted, celestial beings; "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;" 21. 1.
The Book of Mormon, also gives some account of this final resurrection; "And they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from the eternal band of death;"Mormon9. 13.
The Jaredite prophet, Ether, who lived on the American continent 600 years before the Savior was born, predicted this great change in the earth; "And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away, and all things shall become new;"Ether13. 9.
Joseph, the Seer of the present dispensation, has given us a more comprehensive view of this subject than has come down from other dispensations; "And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, for all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; and not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost;"Doc. & Cov., 29. 23-25.
Both the wicked and the righteous will be resurrected;verses26, 27. That the final change in the earth will be equivalent to a resurrection is evident from the following: "Wherefore it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened;" 88. 26.
Bible.
Matt. 25. 32 all nations to be gathered before the Son of Man.
Rev. 20. 15 those not found written in the book of life, were cast into the lake of fire.
8 the wicked had their part in the lake of fire.
22. 11 he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. 12.
15. without are dogs, sorcerers and whoremongers.
Book of Mormon.
3Nephi26. 4 when all people and nations shall stand before God.
Mormon9. 2 when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God.
13 when all, both small and great, shall be loosed from the bands of death.
Ether4. 19 he that is faithful at the last day shall be lifted up.
5. 6 when we shall stand before God at the last day.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 76. 39 for all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead.
81-89 concerning those of the telestial world who will come forth in the last resurrection.
When Job said, "Though after my skinwormsdestroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God;" 19. 26; it is evident that he believed that though his body should be disorganized, yet, in his own flesh, and not in that of another, he should see God. As if to confirm his assertion, he further adds, "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;"verse27.
A literal resurrection was manifested to Ezekiel in his vision of the resurrection of the house of Israel; 37. 1-14.
When Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, and said, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead;"Matt. 14. 1, 2; he probably, in common with the Jews, believed in a literal resurrection.
Jesus said to his disciples, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have;"Luke24. 39;John20. 27;Acts10. 41. "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies;"Rom. 8. 11. That is, their bodies that died, and not some other bodies.
The apostle Paul gives us some light on this subject: "But somemanwill say, How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?Thoufool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die; * * thou sowest not that body that shall be. * * But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: butthere is one kind offlesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds;" 1Cor. 15. 35-39.
The apostle evidently considers the old body the germ of a new body, which will be like the old, but a new growth, even as new grain is produced from that which is sown.
It is also evident that the apostle considered it impossible for one kind of flesh to mingle with another in the resurrection, as they widely differ, from different combinations of the elements, in their organization. As well might we expect the different grades of spiritual organizations, to intermingle, as the different kinds of flesh of which their material bodies are composed.
The following is from theTimes and Seasons, vol. 5, page617: "Mothers, you shall have your children, for they shall have eternal life: for their debt is paid, there is no damnation awaits them, for they are in the spirit. As the child dies, so shall it rise from the dead and be forever living in the learning of God; it shall be the child, the same as it was before it died out of your arms. Children dwell and exercise power in the same from as they laid them down."
In theHistory of Joseph Smith, under date of April 7, 1843, we find the following very pointed assertion on this subject: "There is no fundamental principle belonging to a human system that ever goes into another in this world or in the world to come: I care not what the theories of men are. We have the testimony that God will raise us up, and he has the power to do it. If any supposes that any part of our bodies, that is the fundamental parts thereof, ever goes into another body, he is mistaken."
See a Sermon by J. Smith, Jun., Times and Seasons, Vol, 5, page 612.
Also a Pamphlet published the same year in which the above Discourse was delivered.
Book of Mormon.
2Nephi9. 4 must waste away, but in our bodies we shall see God.
6 as death has passed on all men, there must be a power of resurrection.
8. 9 if the flesh should rise no more, our spirits must become subject to the devil.
12 the bodies and spirits of men will be restored, the one to the other.
Alma11. 43-45 the spirit and the body shall be reunited in perfect form.
40. 23 not a hair of the head shall be lost.
Mormon6. 21 day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality.
Miscellaneous Passages.
Matt. 22. 28 therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be.Luke20. 33.
31, 32 God is not the God of the dead but of the living.
Mark12. 25 rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage.
Luke20. 36 are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
John5. 21 the Father raiseth up the dead; the Son quickeneth whom he will.
28 all that are in their graves shall hear his voice.
11. 24 I know he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25, 26.
Acts4. 2 and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 10, 33.
24. 15 a resurrection of both the just and unjust.
26. 8 thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead.
Rom. 4. 17 even God who quickeneth the dead.
6. 5 we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
1Cor. 3. 22 life or death, things present or to come, all are yours.
15. 40-44 bodies are raised in different degrees of glory, according to their order.
45 first man, Adam, was made a living soul, the last a quickening spirit.
Col. 3. 1 ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.
2Tim. 1. 10 who hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
Heb. 6. 2 of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
11. 35 not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
1Peter1. 3 hath begotten us again unto a lively hope of the resurrection.
Rev. 1. 5 first begotten of the dead, and king of the princes of the earth.
14. 13 blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Their works follow them.
Book of Mormon.
Alma11. 41 the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except the loosing of the bands of death.
12. 7 been spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise. 16, 18, 24.
Chap. 40. no resurrection until after the coming of Christ. A time appointed that all shall rise. Must needs be a space between death and the resurrection. State of the soul during that time.
3Nephi28. 36-40 concerning the change wrought in the disciples who were to tarry.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 42. 45 especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection.
43. 18 say to the sleeping nations, ye Saints arise, ye sinners stay and sleep.
32 he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
88. 14 through the redemption that is made for you, is brought to pass the resurrection of the dead.
101. 31 not sleep but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
130. 18 whatever knowledge we attain to in this life, will rise with us in the resurrection.
132. 13 all things not ordained of God, shall not remain after the resurrection.
133. 55 Moses, Elijah and John with Christ in his resurrection
See a Pamphlet by B. Young.
Sermon by J. Smith, J. of D., Vol. 6, page 1.
"B. Young " Vol. 15, page 139.
"Geo. Q. Cannon, J. of D., Vol. 17, page 134.
Article by P. P. Pratt, Mil. Star, Vol. 2, page 97.
Key to Theology, Chapter 15.
Sermon by J. Smith, Mil. Star, Vol. 3, page 59.
Article by C. W. Penrose, Mil. Star, Vol. 30, page 65.
History of J. Smith, April 16, 1843.
"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 calledthe 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, orOrder 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 fromverse22, "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;"verses23-25.
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;"verse9.
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 insec. 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 ofsec. 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 inDoc. & 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.
Psalm110. 4 thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek.Heb. 5. 6, 10.Chap. 6. 20.
Acts14. 23 and when they had ordained them elders in every church.
20. 17 sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church.
Titus1. 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.
Alma4. 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.
3Nephi18. 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.
Page26. 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.
John15. 16 ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.
1Cor. 5. 5 offenders to be delivered to Satan by the Priesthood.
2Cor. 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.
1Peter2. 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.
2Nephi6. 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.
Alma7. 22 ye may walk after the holy order of God.Chap8. 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.Ether12. 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.
Page13. 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.
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;Luke1. 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., May15, 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.
2Chron. 29. enumerates several duties of the Priesthood.
31. 4-11 tithing to be received by the Aaronic Priesthood.
Psalm99. 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.
Joel1. 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.
1Tim. 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.