Promises of the Fathers, Priesthood

We have talked about the things which composed the blessings of the fathers and for which Abram sought.  Last week, we discussed:

• happiness 
• peace
• rest 

This week, I'd like to talk about the priesthood:

• ordination to the same [priesthood] 
• High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.  (See Abraham 1)

The key to all of the blessings of the father was the priesthood; the authority to act on Earth in God's name.  Ordinances performed by worthy priesthood holders were as binding on earth and in heaven as if they were preformed by God himself. (See Matthew 18:18)

As I was pondering this last night, a thought came to mind regarding the priesthood in ancient days - the days of the old covenant/testament.  After Moses led the Children of Israel out of Egypt, God commanded him to set aside his brother, Aaron, and Aaron's sons to be ministers in Israel.  They were given the lesser priesthood, what we have come to call the Aaronic Priesthood after the name of Aaron.  During those years from Aaron to Jesus Christ, the only men in all of Israel who held the priesthood were descendants of Aaron.  Others of the tribe of Levi (the tribe of Aaron and Moses) held some ministerial authority, but not the priesthood.  They are collectively referred to in the New Testament as priests and Levites.

Was there priesthood on the earth prior to Moses?  I looked to the scriptures for evidence and found it beginning in Genesis.  The first law that was given to Adam after he was driven from the Garden of Eden was the Law of Obedience and Sacrifice.  Obedience is the doctrine; Sacrifice is the convenient made through ordinance.  We learn very little about this from the Bible, but we know more from the Pearl of Great Price:

And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

 

And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.  Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. (Moses 5: 6-8)

 

Through modern-day revelation, we know that priesthood ordinances must be performed by one holding the priesthood.

Prior to this time, there were no identified clergy.  Priesthood authority was passed from worthy father to worthy son in a patriarchal order.  We know this primarily because of Abraham's yearning for the priesthood since his own father was unworthy.  Abraham understood the priceless authority he sought.

Gebara Education 2016