"AND NO MAN TAKETH THIS HONOR UNTO HIMSELF, BUT HE THAT IS CALLED OF GOD, AS WAS AaRON." --- [Hebrews 5: 4 - Bible]
{I mention this scripture here to not only show that men cannot call themselves, "BUT HE THAT IS CALLED OF GOD, AS WAS AaRON" , but also to lead into the next verse which shows that The Lord spake to and called Aaron:}
"1 AND THE LORD SAID UNTO AaRON, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of YOUR PRIESTHOOD." --- [Numbers 18: 1 - Bible]
{It was very appropriate for the Lord to say "UNTO AaRON: YOUR PRIESTHOOD" , because this Priesthood was named after Aaron: The Aaronic Priesthood.}
{Nonetheless, The Lord included The Tribe of Levi, The Levites, also as part of this Priesthood named after Aaron:}
"1 AND THOU SHALT GIVE THE LEVITES UNTO AaRON AND TO HIS SONS: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. And thou shalt appoint unto Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their PRIEST'S OFFICE: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." --- [Numbers 3: 9 - Bible]
"2 And thy brethren also of THE TRIBE OF LEVI, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, THAT THEY MAY BE JOINED UNTO THEE, and minister unto thee; but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness." --- [Numbers 18: 1 - Bible]
{"THE TRIBE OF LEVI" was "JOINED UNTO" The Aaronic Priesthood; because of this joining, The Aaronic Priesthood is also known as The Levitical Priesthood: The Aaronic Priesthood and The Levitical Priesthood are different names for the same Priesthood:}
"But there are two divisions or grand heads --- one is The Melchizedek Priesthood, and the other is THE AaRONIC OR LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD." --- [D&C 107: 6]
{And Continuing, here are a few more scriptures concerning the original setup of the AaRONIC OR LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD }
"3 AND THEY" {The LEVITES} "SHALL KEEP THY CHARGE, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die."
"4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you."
"5 AND YE SHALL KEEP THE CHARGE OF THE SANCTUARY, AND THE CHARGE OF THE ALTAR: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel."
"6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren THE LEVITES from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation."
"7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall KEEP YOUR PRIEST'S OFFICE FOR EVERYTHING OF THE ALTAR, AND WITHIN THE VAIL; and ye shall serve: I have given YOUR PRIEST'S OFFICE unto you as a service of gift; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."
"8 AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO AaRON, Behold, I have also given thee charge of my heave offerings of all the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reasons of the anointing, and to thy sons, BY AN ORDINANCE FOR EVER."
"9 THIS SHALL BE THINE OF THE MOST HOLY THINGS, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, WHICH THEY SHALL RENDER UNTO ME, SHALL BE MOST HOLY FOR THEE AND FOR THY SONS."
"10 IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE SHALL THOU EAT IT; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee." --- [Numbers 18: 3-10 - Bible]
"2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance. ..."
{But when it came time to give the tribe of Levi their inheritance, this is what The Lord said concerning The Levities:}
"7 BUT THE LEVITES HAVE NO PART AMONG YOU: FOR THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE LORD IS THEIR INHERITANCE; and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them." --- [Joshua 18: 2 & 7 - Bible]
{ "FOR THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE LORD IS THEIR INHERITANCE;" refers to the Levites becoming part of The Aaronic Priesthood.}
"But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at The Law" {of Moses}; "ye have corrupted THE COVENANT OF LEVI," or in other words, The Covenant of The Aaronic Priesthood "saith the Lord of Hosts." --- [Malachi 2: 8 - Bible]
{The meaning of the above verse is more specific in the following verse of the same nature:}
"Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled THE PRIESTHOOD, AND THE COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD, AND OF THE LEVITES." --- [Nehemiah 13: 29 - Bible]
"THERE ARE IN THE CHURCH, TWO PRIESTHOODS, namely, the Melchizedek and AaRONIC, INCLUDING THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD." --- [D&C 107: 1]
"That by TWO immutable things," {These TWO PRIESTHOODS} "in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon THE HOPE {of Eternal Life} set before us." --- [Hebrews 6: 18 - Bible]
{"THE HOPE set before us" is "THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD", which gives us THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE:
"IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." --- [Titus 1: 2 - Bible] /
"AND THIS IS THE PROMISE that He has promised us: even ETERNAL LIFE." --- [1st John 2: 25 - Bible] }:
{The following is called "THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD"}
"33 FOR WHOSO IS FAITHFUL UNTO THE OBTAINING OF THESE TWO PRIESTHOODS of which I have spoken, AND THE MAGNIFYING THEIR CALLING, ARE SANCTIFIED UNTO THE RENEWING OF THEIR BODIES."
"34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the Church and kingdom and elect of God."
"35 AND ALSO ALL THEY WHO RECEIVE THIS PRIESTHOOD RECEIVE ME, SAITH THE LORD;"
"36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;"
"37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;"
"38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; THEREFORE ALL THAT MY FATHER HATH SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO HIM."
"39 AND THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE OATH AND COVENANT WHICH BELONGETH TO THE PRIESTHOOD."
"40 Therefore, ALL THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE PRIESTHOOD, RECEIVE THIS OATH AND COVENANT OF MY FATHER, WHICH HE CANNOT BREAK, NEITHER CAN IT BE MOVED." --- [D&C 84: 38-40]
"For when God made PROMISE to Abraham, BECAUSE HE COULD SWARE BY NO GREATER, HE SWARE BY HIMSELF." --- [Hebrews 6: 13 - Bible]
{Because God The Father of Jesus Christ, The Father of all of us, was the highest authority that there is, in making His OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD , which is God The Father's PROMISE not only to Abraham, but to all God's children who come unto Jesus Christ through The Abrahamic Covenant.}
"11 IF THEREFORE PERFECTION WERE BY THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD, (FOR UNDER IT PEOPLE RECEIVED THE LAW" {of Moses}"), what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, AND NOT BE CALLED AFTER THE ORDER OF AaRON?" ...
"16 Who is made, not after The Law of a carnal commandment, BUT AFTER THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE." ...
{The Aaronic Priesthood was under the Law of carnal commandments, but the Melchizedek Priesthood has the promise because of The Oath And Covenant Of The Priesthood of "AN ENDLESS LIFE," which "ENDLESS LIFE" is called ETERNAL LIFE, which is the hidden name for God's Life, or in other words, we have promise or "HOPE" of inheriting God's Life (God's Lifestyle will become OUR Lifestyle) and this is also what is meant by ETERNAL INHERITANCE.}
"19 FOR THE LAW" {(OF MOSES UNDER THE AaRONIC PRIESTHOOD)} "MADE NOTHING PERFECT, but the bringing in of a better HOPE did: BY THE WHICH WE DRAW NIGH UNTO GOD".
{Although the Aaronic Priesthood is also required, it is by "THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD" that "WE DRAW NIGH UNTO GOD"}
{Although both Priesthoods are included under the PRIESTHOOD, and both Priesthoods are required, the Aaronic Priesthood is called The Lesser Priesthood, while the Melchizedek Priesthood is called The Greater Priesthood. It is under The Greater Priesthood that "THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD" was made by God The Father unto Abraham and unto all obedient and faithful sons and daughters.}
"21 FOR THOSE PRIESTS WERE MADE WITHOUT AN OATH;"
{ "THOSE PRIESTS" under the AaRonic Priesthood were made} "WITHOUT AN OATH" {from God The Father of us all, including He is The Father of Jesus Christ,}
BUT THIS WITH AN OATH {from God The Father, called} THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD or THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD BY HIM {GOD THE FATHER} "that said unto HIM" {GOD THE SON, WHO WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD, EVEN JESUS CHRIST} , "The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." ...
"28 "FOR" {The Aaronic Priesthood which was given that} "THE LAW" {OF MOSES could function under a Priesthood of God - because Moses tried to bring the Gospel under The Melchizedek Priesthood to the people but they rejected The Gospel with its Higher Priesthood, (as in the following verse):} "For unto us was The Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them: not being mixed with FAITH in them that heard it." --- [Hebrews 4: 1-11 (only verse 2 quoted here) - Bible] } "MAKETH MEN HIGH PRIESTS WHICH HAVE INFIRMITY; but the word of THE OATH" { The Oath & Covenant of The Melchizedek Priesthood} } , "which was since THE LAW {OF MOSES}, "maketh The Son, who is consecrated for ever more." --- [Hebrews 7: 11 & 16 & 19 & 21 & 28 - Bible]
"7 FOR IF THAT FIRST COVENANT" {The Law of Moses under The Aaronic Priesthood} "HAD BEEN FAULTLESS, THEN SHOULD NO PLACE HAVE BEEN SOUGHT FOR THE SECOND" {The Second COVENANT = The Gospel of Jesus Christ under The Melchizedek Priesthood} . ...
"6 But now hath He" {The Saviour} "obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of A BETTER COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED UPON BETTER PROMISES."
{The} "BETTER COVENANT" {is} The Gospel of Jesus Christ under The Oath & Covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood! {which includes many} "BETTER PROMISES" {such as the} "BETTER PROMISES" {of eternal marriage, eternal families, Eternal Life.}" --- [Hebrews 8: 7 & 6 - Bible]
"1 FOR THE LAW" {OF MOSES under THE AaRONIC PRIESTHOOD} "HAVING A SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME,"
{ "Therefore, If ye teach The Law of Moses, also teach that it is a SHADOW of those things which are to come, --- [Mosiah 16: 14 - The Book of Mormon] }
(Continuing with the Hebrews verses:}
"AND NOT THE VERY IMAGE OF THE THINGS, CAN NEVER WITH THOSE SACRIFICES WHICH THEY OFFERED YEAR BY YEAR CONTINUALLY MAKE THE COMERS THEREUNTO PERFECT."
{Whether it was The Law of Moses, or The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the purpose of God is to} CONTINUALLY MAKE THE COMERS THEREUNTO PERFECT." {Because God is}"PERFECT" {and He only grants Eternal Life to those children of His who also perfect themselves:} "BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT." --- [Matthew 5:48 - Bible] {(Recommended Study! --- scripture set:)} Be Ye Therefore Perfect
"2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
{When Jesus Christ took over His Ministry, He superseded The Law of Moses which could not} "CONTINUALLY MAKE THE COMERS THEREUNTO PERFECT." {Thus, The Law of Moses needed to be done away with because it did not fulfill the complete needs of God for HIS LAW (or PLAN) to fulfill:}
"Think not that I am come to destroy The Law, or The Prophets; I am not come to destroy, BUT TO FULFILL."
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from The Law, till all be FULFILLED." --- [Matthew 5: 17-18 - Bible]
/
"Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under The Law {of Moses}, in me are FULFILLED. Old things are done away, and all things are become new." --- [3rd Nephi 12: 46-47 - The Book of Mormon] }
(Continuing with the Hebrews verses:}
"3 BUT IN THOSE SACRIFICES THERE IS A REMEMBRANCE AGAIN MADE OF SINS EVERY YEAR."
"4 FOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS."
{It is not possible that bulls and goats should be equal to the Atonement of Jesus Christ!} --- [Hebrews 10: 1-4 - Bible]
"1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary."
"2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary."
"3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;"
"4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;"
"5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
"6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God."
"7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:"
"8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:"
"9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;"
"10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation."
"11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;"
"12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
"13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:"
"14 Now much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
"15 And for this cause he is the mediator of THE NEW TESTAMENT, {Which is based around The Atonement and The New And Everlasting Covenant (The Gospel of Jesus Christ under The Oath & Covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood!) } "that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under THE FIRST TESTAMENT," also known as THE OLD TESTAMENT { THE FIRST TESTAMENT OR OLD TESTAMENT" = THE LAW OF MOSES under THE AaRONIC PRIESTHOOD} "they which are called might receive THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE. { THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE is not a single (unmarried) person thing:} "THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE" is only promised to the eternally married!" --- (see 1st Corinthians 11: 11 / Malachi 2: 15 & 14 / D&C 131: 1-4}" --- [Hebrews 9: 1-15 - Bible]
"FOR THE PRIESTHOOD BEING CHANGED, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law {of Moses}, ." --- [Hebrews 7: 12 - Bible]
"10 For as many as are of the works of The Law {of Moses}, are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of The Law {of Moses}, to do them."
"11 BUT THAT NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW" {OF MOSES}, "IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, IT IS EVIDENT: FOR, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
{ "BY FAITH" in Jesus Christ and His Gospel under The Authority of The Melchizedek Priesthood, which is under The Promise of "THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD" unto The HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE."
"12 AND THE LAW {OF MOSES} IS NOT OF FAITH: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."
"13 CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW {OF MOSES}, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"
"14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH."
{When you exercise} "FAITH" (in Jesus Christ, which is His Gospel) {you receive} "THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH" {YOUR} FAITH." {The More Powerful Your} "FAITH" --- {The More You Receive} "THE SPIRIT" (The Holy Ghost).
"15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto."
"16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."
"17 And this I say, that THE COVENANT, THAT WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, THE LAW {OF MOSES}, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, THAT IT SHOULD MAKE THE PROMISE OF NONE EFFECT."
"18 FOR IF THE INHERITANCE BE OF THE LAW" {OF MOSES}, "IT IS NO MORE OF PROMISE: BUT GOD GAVE IT TO ABRAHAM BY PROMISE."
"19 WHEREFORE THEN SERVETH THE LAW" {OF MOSES},? IT WAS ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."
{The Lord through His prophet Moses wanted the people to live The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moses as well as the other prophets have always had The Melchizedek Priesthood. But the people of Moses were a stiffnecked and slothful people and would not live the higher laws of The Gospel. So rather than destroy them (for although they were slothful and disobedient, they were The Covenant people of The Lord!) The Lord}
"SUITING HIS MERCIES ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN," --- [D&C 46 15]
{decided to just downgrade to something more tolerable for the people of Moses. Nonetheless, it was still difficult to live. He called it The Law of Moses (The Preparatory Gospel) and it would function under a Lesser Priesthood called The Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood.}
{continuing}
"20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one."
"21 IS THE LAW {OF MOSES}, THEN AGAINST THE PROMISES OF GOD? GOD FORBID: for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by The Law {OF MOSES}.
"22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
"23 BUT BEFORE FAITH CAME, WE WERE KEPT UNDER THE LAW {OF MOSES}, shut up unto the faith {of THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ} which should afterwards be revealed."
"24 WHEREFORE THE LAW {OF MOSES} WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US UNTO {THE GOSPEL of} CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH."
"25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
"26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
"27 FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST." {But more fully, as many as have received the Oath and Covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood have especially PUT ON CHRIST.}
"28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
"29 AND IF YE BE CHRIST'S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." --- [Galatians 3: 10-29 - Bible]
"1 HEARKEN TO ME, YE THAT FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, YE THAT SEEK THE LORD; look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged."
"2 LOOK UNTO ABRAHAM your Father, and unto Sarah that bare you; FOR I CALLED HIM ALONE AND BLESSED HIM and increased him." --- [Isaiah 51: 1-2 - Bible]
"6 But I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother's son, prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, WHEN THEY HEARKEN TO MY VOICE. ...
"8 My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee."
"9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make they name great among all nations, AND THOU SHALT BE BLESSING UNTO THY SEED AFTER THEE, THAT IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THIS MINISTRY AND PRIESTHOOD unto all nations;"
"10 AND I WILL BLESS THEM THROUGH THY NAME; FOR AS MANY AS RECEIVE THIS GOSPEL SHALL BE CALLED AFTER THY NAME AND SHALL BE ACCOUNTED THY SEED, and shall rise up and bless thee as their Father;"
"11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, IN THY PRIESTHOOD), AND IN THY SEED (THAT IS, THY PRIESTHOOD), FOR I GIVE UNTO THEE A PROMISE THAT THIS RIGHT SHALL CONTINUE IN THEE, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED, EVEN WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL, WHICH ARE THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION, EVEN OF LIFE ETERNAL." --- [Abraham 2: 6 & 8-11]
"9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
"14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil. ..."
"16 For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; BUT HE TOOK ON HIM THE SEED OF ABRAHAM." --- [Hebrews 2: 9 & 14 & 16 - Bible]
"14 Which ABRAHAM RECEIVED THE PRIESTHOOD FROM MELCHIZEDEK, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah;"
"15 And from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers;"
"16 And from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother, who received the priesthood by the commandments of God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man ---"
"17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years."
"18 AND THE LORD CONFIRMED A PRIESTHOOD ALSO UPON AaRON AND HIS SEED, THROUGHOUT ALL THEIR GENERATIONS, WHICH PRIESTHOOD ALSO CONTINUETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER WITH THE PRIESTHOOD WHICH IS AFTER THE HOLIEST ORDER OF GOD."
"19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God."
"20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest."
"21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;"
"22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live."
"23 Now this 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;"
"24 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."
"25 Therefore, He took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;"
"26 AND THE LESSER PRIESTHOOD CONTINUED, WHICH PRIESTHOOD HOLDETH THE KEY OF THE MINISTERING OF ANGELS AND THE PREPARATORY GOSPEL;"
{Note that the Aaronic Priesthood can teach} "THE PREPARATORY GOSPEL;" {which is what The Law of Moses was:} "A PREPARATORY GOSPEL:"
"WHEREFORE THE LAW {OF MOSES} WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US UNTO {THE GOSPEL of} CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH."
for if there had been a Law given which could have given {eternal} life, verily righteousness should have been by The Law {OF MOSES}.
{continuing with The Aaronic Priesthood:}
"27 WHICH GOSPEL IS THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE AND OF BAPTISM, AND THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND THE LAW OF CARNAL COMMANDMENTS, WHICH THE LORD IN HIS WRATH CAUSED TO CONTINUE WITH THE HOUSE OF AaRON among the children of Israel UNTIL JOHN, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb."
"28 For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power."
"29 And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages belonging unto the high priesthood."
"30 And again, THE OFFICES OF TEACHER AND DEACON ARE NECESSARY APPENDAGES BELONGING TO THE LESSER PRIESTHOOD, which priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons."
{The Aaronic Priesthood is} "THE LESSER PRIESTHOOD." {The Melchizedek Priesthood is} "THE HIGHER (or HIGH) PRIESTHOOD."
"31 Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses --- for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed ---"
"32 And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord’s house, whose sons are ye; and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up My Church."
{The following is called The Oath & Covenant of The Priesthood. Although The Oath & Covenant of The Priesthood mostly is about the Higher Priesthood, The Melchizedek Priesthood, nonetheless, the first verse of The Oath & Covenant of The Priesthood reminds us that The Aaronic Priesthood is also important:}
"33 FOR WHOSO IS FAITHFUL UNTO THE OBTAINING OF THESE TWO PRIESTHOODS OF WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN, AND THE MAGNIFYING THEIR CALLING, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies."
"34 THEY BECOME THE SONS OF MOSES AND OF AaRON AND THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, AND THE CHURCH and kingdom, and the elect of God."
"35 AND ALSO ALL THEY WHO RECEIVE THIS PRIESTHOOD RECEIVE ME, saith The Lord;"
"36 For he that receiveth My servants receiveth Me;"
"37 And he that receiveth Me receiveth My Father;"
"38 And he that receiveth My Father receiveth My Father’s kingdom; therefore ALL THAT MY FATHER HATH SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO HIM."
"39 AAND THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE OATH AND COVENENT WHICH BELONGETH TO THE PRIESTHOOD."
"40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of My Father, which He cannot break, neither can it be moved."
"41 But whoso breaketh this 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."
"42 AND WO UNTO ALL THOSE WHO COME NOT UNTO THIS PRIESTHOOD which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you." --- [D&C 84: 14-42]
"That by TWO immutable things {The TWO PRIESTHOODS}, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon THE HOPE set before us." --- [Hebrews 6: 18 - Bible]
"1 THERE ARE, IN THE CHURCH, TWO PRIESTHOODS, namely the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including The Levitical Priesthood." {The Aaronic Priesthood is also known as} "The Levitical Priesthood." }
"2 Why THE FIRST IS CALLED THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest."
"3 Before his day it was called The Holy Priesthood, after the Order of The Son of God."
"4 Aut 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 Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood."
"5 ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES OR OFFICES IN THE CHURCH ARE APPENDAGES TO THIS PRIESTHOOD."
{The Aaronic Priesthood is an APPENDAGE of The Melchizedek Priesthood.}
"6 BUT THERE ARE TWO DIVISIONS OR GRAND HEADS---one is the Melchizedek Priesthood, AND THE OTHER IS THE AaRONIC OR LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD." --- [D&C 107: 1-6]
"13 THE SECOND PRIESTHOOD IS CALLED THE PRIESTHOOD OF AaRON, BECAUSE IT WAS CONFERRED UPON AaRON AND HIS SEED, throughout all their generations."
"14 WHY IT IS CALLED THE LESSER PRIESTHOOD IS BECAUSE IT IS AN APPENDAGE TO THE GREATER, OR THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, AND HAS POWER IN ADMINISTERING OUTWARD ORDINANCES."
"15 THE BISHOPRIC IS THE PRESIDENCY OF THIS PRIESTHOOD, and holds the keys or authority of the same."
"16 No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron."
"17 But as a high priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood." --- [D&C 107: 13-17]
"Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding officers growing out of, or appointed of or from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these TWO priesthoods." --- [D&C 107: 21]
"59 To The Church of Christ in the land of Zion, in addition to the church laws respecting church business---"
"60 Verily, I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, there must needs be presiding elders to preside over those who are of the office of an elder;"
"61 AND ALSO PRIESTS TO PRESIDE OVER THOSE WHO ARE OF THE OFFICE OF A PRIEST;"
"62 AND ALSO TEACHERS TO PRESIDE OVER THOSE WHO ARE OF THE OFFICE OF A TEACHER; IN LIKE MANNER, AND ALSO THE DEACONS ---"
"63 Wherefore, from deacon to teacher, and from teacher to priest, and from priest to elder, severally as they are appointed, according to the covenants and commandments of the church." --- [D&C 107: 59-63]
"87 Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is to preside over forty-eight priests, and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants ---"
"88 THIS PRESIDENT IS TO BE A BISHOP; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood." --- [D&C 107: 87-88]
"68 Wherefore, the office of a bishop is not equal unto it; for the office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things;"
"69 Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood, unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron;"
"70 For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold the keys of that priesthood."
"71 Nevertheless, a high priest, that is, after the order of Melchizedek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth;"
"72 And also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of the church."
"73 This is the duty of a bishop who is not a literal descendant of Aaron, but has been ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek."
"74 Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion, or in a stake of Zion, or in any branch of the church where he shall be set apart unto this ministry, until the borders of Zion are enlarged and it becomes necessary to have other bishops or judges in Zion or elsewhere."
75 And inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed they shall act in the same office."
"76 But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the presidency of this priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act in the office of bishop independently, without counselors, except in a case where a President of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, is tried, to sit as a judge in Israel." --- [D&C 107: 68-76]
"85 And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them, and to teach them their duty, edifying one another, as it is given according to the covenants."
"86 And also the duty of the president over the office of the teachers is to preside over twenty-four of the teachers, and to sit in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants." --- [D&C 107: 85-86]
"99 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence."
"100 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen." --- [D&C 107: 99-100]
"67 Two days after the arrival of Mr. Cowdery (being the 7th of April) I commenced to translate The Book Of Mormon, and he began to write for me."
"68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:"
"69 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."
"70 He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me."
"71 Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me --- after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded.*" {Note that although The Aaronic Priesthood does not include the laying on of hands for The Gift of The Holy Ghost, The Aaronic Priesthood does include the laying on of hands to ordain another person to the Aaronic Priesthood.}
"72 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 Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized."
"73 Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation."
"74 Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of having received the Priesthood and our having been baptized, owing to a spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the neighborhood."
"75 We had been threatened with being mobbed, from time to time, and this, too, by professors of religion. And their intentions of mobbing us were only counteracted by the influence of my wife’s father’s family (under Divine providence), who had become very friendly to me, and who were opposed to mobs, and were willing that I should be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption; and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful proceedings, as far as in them lay." --- [Joseph Smith History 1: 66-75]
"THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE LESSER, OR AaRONIC PRIESTHOOD, IS TO HOLD THE KEYS OF THE MINISTERING OF ANGELS, AND TO ADMINSTER IN OUTWARD ORDINANCES, THE LETTER OF THE GOSPEL, THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AGREEABLE TO THE COVENANTS AND COMMANDMENTS." --- [D&C 107: 20]
"1 This is a true saying, If a man desire THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, he desireth a good work."
"2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;"
"3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;"
"4 And that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;"
"5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house, HOW SHALL HE TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD?
"8 Likewise must THE DEACONS be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"
"9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."
"10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use THE OFFICE OF A DEACON, being found blameless.
"13 For they that have used THE OFFICE OF A DEACON well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." --- [1st Timothy 3: 1-5 & 8-10 & 13 - Bible]
{I bear testimony that The Aaronic Priesthood is a true part of the Church and Gospel of Jesus Christ. - IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN - (Elder Erving Axel Lambert - 2/10/2017)}
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