Lehi's Altar conclusion

1 Nephi 2:5-7


And he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea; and he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.  And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water.  And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.

In the previous post we addressed how we believe that this event, Lehi building an altar and offering sacrifice, is important to understand in order to show that here is an example of the Lord doing multiple works simultaneously among multiple groups of people with one whole group totally unaware of the other group.

In this post I will share a little of what our study group believes concerning Lehi's authority to perform such an ordinance; how he recieved it, how the authority is perpetuated, and the question, "Is anything required besides the authority for ordinances to be done in righteousness?

We would invite any sincere seeker for truth to read a way more indepth and complete discussion on this subject of "authority" or "priesthood" at denversnuffer.com/papers/ and click on "Lecture 5 - Priesthood" as what will be shared here is so woefully inadequate.

The Prophet Joseph taught,

"All priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it.  That portion that brought Moses to speak with God face-to-face was taken away, but that which brought the ministry of angels remained.  All prophets have the Melchizedek priesthood and were ordained by God himself." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 180 -181)

As we look at the record we can see that Lehi, having come into the presence of God, recieved authority directly from Him, Melchizedek priesthood. He was ordained by God Himself.

Do we have any other example in scripture of this similar pattern that occured with Lehi offering sacrifice?

1 Kings 18 is the account of Elijah, who was not a Levite, preparing a sacrifice on Mt Carmel, not in the temple, as a challenge to the priests of Baal.

We know that Elijah was acting in righteousness because the Lord sent fire down from heaven to consume the offering he had prepared.

If we are to believe the Prophet Joseph then Elijah as well possessed Melchizedek priesthood and was ordained by God Himself.

Let's look at this "Melchizedek priesthood".

How does one obtain it?

We know from Joseph that one can recieve it from God Himself.

Is that the only way to receive it?  

When and how would that happen?

"And Melchizedek lifted up his voice and blessed Abram.  Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.  And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; niether by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;  And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name." (JST Genesis 14: 25 - 40)

Before we analyze the above verses lets look at what the Prophet Joseph said concerning the ordination that Melchizedek possessed.

"There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.  Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.  Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God." (D&C 107:1 - 3)

We need refresh our memories of an event that occured with Adam in order to begin to tie this together.

"And he heard a voice out of heaven saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost.  This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;  And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.  Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen." (Moses 6:66 - 68)

According to JST Genesis, how is the order of priesthood Melchizedek obtained or delivered to men?

JST Genesis, D&C107, and Adam's experience recorded in the Book of Moses, all three, show that those who possess this priesthood are after the order of the Son of God.

Given Adam's experience and the voice he heard from heaven does that match the pattern of recieving this priesthood by God's own voice?

At this time the voice out of heaven declared to Adam that he had become a son of God and, "thus may all become my sons."

Are we to understand that to mean that all who receive the Melchizedek priesthood receive it only in this way, just like Adam?

Does this manner of recieving the Melchizedek priesthood fit the pattern of this priesthood or order, which order is after the Order of the Son of God, being received, "not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God?"

Is God a man or is His will the will of man?

Is God a mortal father or mother?

If God is from eternity to all eternity then does He have a beginning of days or end of years?

We read above that Melchizedek was approved of God to be made a part of this order.  The record of the Book of Moses shows that Adam was personally approved of God as well.

Can we then say with total certainty that this "Order after the Son of God" this "Melchizedek" priesthood came to them not by man or the will of man or from father or mother or beginning of days or end of years?

If this priesthood is received not by man or the will of man is it possible for one man to give Melchizedek priesthood to another man?

Adam heard a voice out of heaven.  That is how he knew that he was approved by God.

Is that what it means when the Prophet Joseph taught that a man is not saved in ignorance?  

Adam knew and was not ignorant of the fact that God approved of him because he heard God's own voice out of the heavens declaring such.

Is it possible then for one man to approve another man for this priesthood?  

Wouldn't that be trying to bring the Melchizedek priesthood by the will of man?

Jacob taught,

"Behold the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a strait course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be decieved, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41)

The Lord taught,

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth in not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1)

If this Melchizedek priesthood must be obtained by God's approval by His own voice from heaven then doesn't that follow the pattern Jacob taught of the gate being kept by the Holy One of Israel and there being no other way to enter?

If one declares that they are in possession of Melchizedek priesthood without receiving it according to the pattern Adam and all the others received it doesn't that make them thieves and robbers?

Through the above analysis can it be reasonably stated then that Melchizedek priesthood or the possession of it is entirely dependent upon an individual associating face to face with God?

"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.  Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, 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; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live." (D&C 84:19 - 22)

It would appear that the soul pupose for this priesthood is to enable a mortal individual through its ordinances to associate with God, the Father, while in mortality. (the flesh)

Could that be why God stated, "and thus may all become my sons?"

Is God inviting all to come back into His presence "in the flesh?"  

Section 84 continues.

"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;  But they hardened their hearts and could not endure hsi 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;" (D&C 84:23 - 25)

Moses sought for all of the chilldren of Israel to obtain the Melchizedek priesthood.  

He wanted them all to speak face to face with the Father, in the flesh, and live.

Because they refused what was offered God removed that priesthood which would have allowed them to speak with Him face to face.

He would not speak with a voice from the heavens to approve them as being after the Order of the Son of God.

Nowhere in the scriptures does it speak of this priesthood as a command structure.  Quite the opposite.

"No power nor influence can nor ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only be persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile--" (D&C 121:41 - 42)

Any "keys" associated with this priesthood are what Joseph taught.

"...thus we behold the Keys of this priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner..." (The Words of Joseph Smith, pg. 42)

In section 124 we see an example of what Joseph is teaching here in the Lord's direction concerning Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother.
"...and that he shall receive counsel from my servant, Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive,..."

The "keys" Hyrum was shown consisted in Hyrum obtaining the voice of Jehova that he could talk with Jehova in a familiar and friendly manner. He could talk with God face to face just like Joseph.

In section 107 Joseph spoke of two priesthoods existing in the Church, namely the Melchizedek and the Aaronic of Levitical priesthood.

Our understanding is that if one possesses the Melchizedek priesthood they are able to stand in the presence of God. They are after the Order of the Son of God. They have received it from God Himself by His own voice out of Heaven.

Joseph and Hyrum possessed this priesthood.

The rest of the church did not. Therefore they possessed Aaronic priesthood which Joseph referred to as the other order of priesthood which is a lesser portion of Melchizedek priesthood as Joseph described.

What are we to understand about this Aaronic priesthood?

At the beginning of the Restoration the Prophet Joseph and Oliver Cowdery were visited by a resurrected John the Baptist in response to their inquiry concerning baptism.  

John the Baptist layed his hands upon them and declared the following.

"Upon you my fellowservants, 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." (D&C 13) 

Following their ordinations and baptisms John the Baptist directed them to ordain each other, which they did. (Joseph Smith History, verses 68 - 71)

What can we learn from this experience?

1) We believe that this Aaronic priesthood can be conferred from one man to another.  That is demonstrated by John the Baptist directing Joseph and Oliver to ordain each other.   

2)  We believe from what John the Baptist said that this priesthood is independent of any organization, group or body of people.  John's exact words were that this priesthood, "shall never be taken from the earth, until..." 

He never declared that any specific group, organization, body, denomination, etc. would possess it until the sons of Levi make an offering in righteousness.

3) We believe that this priesthood contains within it the power to preach repentance and the authority to baptize which is what is required in order for any individual to comply with the Doctrine of Christ as explained by Christ Himself to those at Bountiful when He visited the saints there following His ressurection. (3 Nephi 11:18 - 41)   

4) We believe that contained within this priesthood is the power to have the minstration of angels which is necessary in order to prepare any individual to enter into the presence of the Lord.

Is there evidence in the Book of Mormon that show that these things were in existence among Lehi's family and descendants?

Did Lehi's descendants offer sacrifice according to the Law of Moses?

Was repentance preached among the Nephites and Lamanites?

Were angels administering to people among the Nephites and Lamanites?

Were individuals ordained by other individuals among the Nepites and Lamanites?

Was the ordinance of baptism had among the Nephites and Lamanites?

We know from the record that there was no Levite along with Lehi and his family on the journey to the new world.  

That means that this authority, the Aaronic priesthood, was conferred from Lehi, who possessed the Melichizedek priesthood having been ordained by God Himself, upon his descendants.

In contrast to the Melchizedek priesthood, which can be easily lost, this Aaronic priesthood appears to be "hardy" so to speak in order to allow the Father in His mercy to continue to offer a path of repentance to all His children on the earth.

Now we come to the question of power.

Just because someone possesses authority, does that mean they have power?

What do we have for an example?

"Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord.  For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph having been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi." (Jacob 1:17 - 18)

Jacob was ordained by Nephi to be a priest and a teacher to the people.  He had authority

Jacob declared that he obtained his errand from the Lord.  He did not declare anything to the people until the Lord gave him something to declare.  That is where the power came from; It came from the Lord.

Here's another example.

Alma, a priest in King Noah's court had been ordained a priest by King Noah.

"And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his stead; and he did not walk in the ways of his father...For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts." (Mosiah 11:1 - 5)

Alma possessed authority but he did not baptise until he was given power from heaven to do so.

"And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first , and went and stood forth in the water and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart.  And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him,..." (Mosiah 18:12 - 13)

Notice that when Alma was ordained and received authority it was because he was lifted up in the pride of his heart.  The authority was durable but Alma had to repent and when he did he asked God for power to perform the ordinance of baptism.  

Heaven responded to his penitence and gave Alma power to baptise.

There are so many things that can and ought to be discussed in order to get a better understanding of what is happening here with Lehi, concerning the works of God among peoples and the authority and power He gives to those who exercise faith in Him that they may faithfully accomplish what He commands them to do in the sphere of work He assigns them, but it is impossible to adequately examine those things in a post or two.

We hope that everyone would seriously look into the matter themselves and see what the scriptures have to say. 

We are of the understanding that the Lord is able to work among and give authority to many nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples independently at the same time.  

We desire to humble ourselves so that the work He gives to us in our own small sphere will be accompanied not just with authority to perform it but with power from Him to perform it in righteousness.