Polaris
Active Member
This is coming from an LDS perspective, and the discussion is open to any who are interested.
There are two priesthoods mentioned in scripture: the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec (the Melchisedec Priesthood - MP), and the priesthood after the order of Aaron (the Aaronic Priesthood - AP). For purposes of this thread, I'll consider the Levitical and Aaronic priesthoods as synonymous (the Aaronic was essentially the presiding branch of the Levitical priesthood). The MP is the higher priesthood named after the great High Priest, who was king of Salem and to whom Abraham paid tithes. The AP is the lesser or preparatory priesthood, named after the brother of Moses, and was given in conjuction with the preparatory Law of Moses. Both priesthoods rely on transferral through a line of succession via ordination by laying on of hands.
According to LDS belief, all the holy prophets had conferred upon them the MP. During the time of Moses the Israelites failed to observe the law administered by Moses under the MP. As a result the Lord gave a lesser, preparatory law that consisted of specific outward performances and had a preparatory priesthood, the AP, conferred upon Aaron and his posterity to help administer this law.
We learn from scripture however that perfection cannot come through this Levitical or Aaronic priesthood. There was need that "another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron" (Hebrews 7:11). So, as part of the Messiah's earthly ministry, the Law of Moses reached fulfillment, and Christ established a higher law and restored the higher priesthood, the MP. We learn from scripture that Jesus Christ was the great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. This was the priesthood that was conferred upon His Apostles, and the authority by which they governed the church after His death.
Upon the death of the Apostles, the presiding office of the MP was taken from the earth, and apostasy ensued. The world lived without proper priesthood authority for a number of centuries. Then in 1829 proper priesthood authority was officially restored. John the Baptist, of Aaronic descent, came in person as a resurrected being to restore the AP to the prophet Joseph Smith through the laying on of hands. Then a short time later, the Apostles Peter, James, and John restored the MP in its fullness. Today the LDS church lays claim to both the Aaronic and the Mechisedec Priesthoods. The AP still serves as a preparatory priesthood under the direction of the MP and encompasses the offices of Deacon, Teacher, and Priest. It deals primarily with the introductory ordinances such as baptism and administration of the sacramental bread and wine. The MP includes such offices as Elder, High Priest, Seventy, and Apostle, and is responsible for all other ordinances and general church government.
It is not my intent in this thread to debate the details of the priesthood or the apostasy. Rather I would like to hear how other's views on the priesthood differ, and how others interpret the scriptures concerning the Aaronic/Levitical and Melchisedec orders of the priesthood.
There are two priesthoods mentioned in scripture: the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec (the Melchisedec Priesthood - MP), and the priesthood after the order of Aaron (the Aaronic Priesthood - AP). For purposes of this thread, I'll consider the Levitical and Aaronic priesthoods as synonymous (the Aaronic was essentially the presiding branch of the Levitical priesthood). The MP is the higher priesthood named after the great High Priest, who was king of Salem and to whom Abraham paid tithes. The AP is the lesser or preparatory priesthood, named after the brother of Moses, and was given in conjuction with the preparatory Law of Moses. Both priesthoods rely on transferral through a line of succession via ordination by laying on of hands.
According to LDS belief, all the holy prophets had conferred upon them the MP. During the time of Moses the Israelites failed to observe the law administered by Moses under the MP. As a result the Lord gave a lesser, preparatory law that consisted of specific outward performances and had a preparatory priesthood, the AP, conferred upon Aaron and his posterity to help administer this law.
We learn from scripture however that perfection cannot come through this Levitical or Aaronic priesthood. There was need that "another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron" (Hebrews 7:11). So, as part of the Messiah's earthly ministry, the Law of Moses reached fulfillment, and Christ established a higher law and restored the higher priesthood, the MP. We learn from scripture that Jesus Christ was the great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. This was the priesthood that was conferred upon His Apostles, and the authority by which they governed the church after His death.
Upon the death of the Apostles, the presiding office of the MP was taken from the earth, and apostasy ensued. The world lived without proper priesthood authority for a number of centuries. Then in 1829 proper priesthood authority was officially restored. John the Baptist, of Aaronic descent, came in person as a resurrected being to restore the AP to the prophet Joseph Smith through the laying on of hands. Then a short time later, the Apostles Peter, James, and John restored the MP in its fullness. Today the LDS church lays claim to both the Aaronic and the Mechisedec Priesthoods. The AP still serves as a preparatory priesthood under the direction of the MP and encompasses the offices of Deacon, Teacher, and Priest. It deals primarily with the introductory ordinances such as baptism and administration of the sacramental bread and wine. The MP includes such offices as Elder, High Priest, Seventy, and Apostle, and is responsible for all other ordinances and general church government.
It is not my intent in this thread to debate the details of the priesthood or the apostasy. Rather I would like to hear how other's views on the priesthood differ, and how others interpret the scriptures concerning the Aaronic/Levitical and Melchisedec orders of the priesthood.