Instruction on Priesthood, 5 October 1840

In order to investigate the subject <of the Priesthood

In the early 1830s, often referred to an “order of men set apart for sacred offices”; also referred more generally to power or authority from God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands to adult male members of the church in good standing...

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> so important to this  as well as every succeeding generation, I shall proceed  to trace the subject as far as I possibly can from  the Old and new Testaments.

There are two priesthoods spoken of in the scrip tures, v[i]z, the Melchisadeck

The greater or higher of two orders of priesthood in the church. Also known as “the holy priesthood, after the order of the Son of God,” “the high priesthood,” and “the high and holy priesthood.” This priesthood held the “right of presidency,” the responsibility...

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and the Aaronic or Levitical

The lower or lesser of two orders of priesthood in the church. Sometimes called the “Levitical Priesthood.” It is named for Aaron, the brother of Moses, “because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed” in antiquity. This authority holds “the keys of the...

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 Altho there are two priesthoods, yet the Melchisadeck  priesthood comprehends the Aaronic or Levitical  priesthood and is the grand head and holds  the highest Authority which pertains to the priesthood — The keys

In the early church, the term keys referred to JS’s authority to unlock the “mysteries of the kingdom.” Early revelations declared that both JS and Oliver Cowdery held the keys to bring forth “those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden because of...

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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 truth  is revealed from heaven. 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 it is the highest and holiest priesthood and is  after the order of the Son [of] God, and all other priest hoods 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 and to the present  time and through which he will make known  his purposes to the end of time— [p. 1]