Question about the Restored Priesthood

[candyprpl]

When John the Baptist laid his hands upon the head of Joseph Smith he said, "Upon you my fellow servant 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, untill the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

My question is, what does he mean; '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.'

[Vort]

Oliver Cowdery's account of this ordination, recorded in the Pearl of Great Price (Joseph Smith - History), reads thus:

Upon you my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon earth, that the Sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness!

Note that the word "until" can mean "so that", and this usage was common in Joseph Smith's day. I think it's entirely possible that what John the Baptist was saying was, "This Priesthood is being restored to the end that ("until") the Sons of Levi offer up a righteous offering to the Lord."

And what is the righteous offering we are to offer? Obviously, it is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

It appears, at least in this interpretation of the ordination, that the sons of Levi cannot offer up an acceptable offering of a broken heart and a contrite spirit unless and until they have the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood available to them.

That's one possible interpretation, anyway.

[Moksha]

The sons of Levi are the Coheni or Cohens, the hereditary priests of the Hebrew religion are they not? So it would be contingent upon them to build an altar, perhaps in a Temple or perhaps on a mountain top, and offer a burnt lamb or perhaps some chopped liver.

[Vort]

The sons of Levi are the Coheni or Cohens, the hereditary priests of the Hebrew religion are they not?

No, they are not. Not in this context, anyway.

The sons of Levi bore the ark of the covenant and performed the sacrifices and other rituals for Israel. Joseph Smith invoked the words of Malachi about the sons of Levi when he wrote about baptism for the dead, as recorded in Section 128:

...he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

Joseph Smith apparently felt that the reference to the "sons of Levi" was appropriate when talking about redemptive work for the dead. So perhaps this "offering" refers to our offering of our work in the temple, specifically baptismal work.

[HiJolly]

No, they are not. Not in this context, anyway.

The sons of Levi bore the ark of the covenant and performed the sacrifices and other rituals for Israel. Joseph Smith invoked the words of Malachi about the sons of Levi when he wrote about baptism for the dead, as recorded in Section 128:

...he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

Joseph Smith apparently felt that the reference to the "sons of Levi" was appropriate when talking about redemptive work for the dead. So perhaps this "offering" refers to our offering of our work in the temple, specifically baptismal work.

Hmmm... but doesn't temple work require the Melchizedek priesthood? And isn't the Levitical priesthood basically the same as the Aaronic?

HiJolly

[Traveler]

Hmmm... but doesn't temple work require the Melchizedek priesthood? And isn't the Levitical priesthood basically the same as the Aaronic?

HiJolly

All priesthood is Melchizedek. The Aaronic is a lesser priesthood but is part of the Melchizedek. Aaron was a descendent of Levi so many think they are the same - It is not entirely true but almost. The Levitical priesthood was the priesthood under the Law of Moses - a change in law requires a change in priesthood. I believe this is explained in Hebrews chapter 5 - I may be wrong it could be Romans chapter 5. Sorry I do not have time to look this up.

Anyway the Aaronic priesthood is necessary for the covenant of Baptism which is the initiation to the church or Kingdom of G-d. Also in our day a direct descendent of Levi if called as Bishop can serve without councilors – note that the “high Priest” of the Aaronic priesthood holds the Melchizedek priesthood.

The Traveler

[Hemidakota]

When John the Baptist laid his hands upon the head of Joseph Smith he said, "Upon you my fellow servant 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, untill the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

My question is, what does he mean; '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.'

To help in facilitating your answer with historical significance regarding the lesser priesthood and your answer by President Joseph Fielding Smith;

The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Topics

1. Significance of the Words of John in Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood. Note 1.

a. Origin of the Priesthood of Aaron. Note 2.

b. "I confer the Priesthood of Aaron." v. 1.

2. Why John the Baptist was Sent. Note 3.

a. John held the keys of Aaronic Priesthood.

b. John a literal descendant of Aaron.c. John came under the direction of Peter, James and John.

3. Aaronic Priesthood Holds Keys of Preparatory Gospel. See Note 3.

a. The Gospel of faith, repentance and baptism.

b. The administering of angels.

4. The Levitical Priesthood. (See Note 2.)

a. Included in the Aaronic Priesthood.

b. Duties of the Levites.

c. To offer an offering in righteousness. Note 4.

5. Priesthood Before Days of Aaron. Note 5.

a. It was the Melchizedek Priesthood.

b. The Patriarchal order.

References

D. H. C. Vol. 1:39-45. D&C Sec. 13.

Exodus 28, 1, Leviticus 8. D. H. C. Vol. 1:39-40.

D. H. C. Vol. 1:40.

D&C 107:13-14; 84:26-28.

D&C 107:1-6; Numbers chs. 3, 4, 8, 18; Malachi 3:3; D&C 128:24.

Alma 13:1-3, 5-11.

Notes

1. This lesson is not intended as a treatise on the Aaronic Priesthood, but is intended to present a general outline of the history of the Aaronic Priesthood, the duties of the priests and Levites of this order in ancient times, and the reason for the bestowal of that Priesthood in this dispensation. The Prophet writes: "We (Oliver Cowdery and himself) 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:

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. ( 2.)

He said that the 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 afterwards that he should baptize me. 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.

The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred the 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 15th day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized." D. H. C. Vol. 1:39-41.

In his account the Prophet declared that the angel ordained him and Oliver Cowdery. The proper word would have been conferred the Priesthood. In the early days of the Church the term "ordain" was used in the sense of conferring or setting apart. The distinction which we make today between conferring, setting apart and ordaining, had not been clearly drawn. The Angel John, however, used the proper expression. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, as the record shows, were not ordained to any office, but the Priesthood was conferred upon them. All of the offices of the Priesthood come out of, and are appendages to, the Priesthood. (See D. and C. 107:5.) Priesthood has existed independently of the Church at times, but the offices pertain to the Church organization and are conferred by the sanction of the Church. This is also true of the bestowal of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Under the hands of Peter, James and John, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood and all of the offices come out of this Priesthood after the organization of the Church. The first office held in this dispensation was that of Elder. Joseph Smith was ordained by Oliver Cowdery to be the first Elder of the Church, and Oliver Cowdery was ordained to be the second Elder of the Church, on the 6th day of April, 1830. Following this ordination, as the Church increased in membership deacons, teachers, and priests were ordained, also other elders. On the third day of June, 1832, the first high priests were ordained. Among this number was Joseph Smith the Prophet. He was ordained at his request to the office of high priest, under the hands of Lyman Wight who had been previously ordained to that office by Joseph Smith the Prophet. Oliver Cowdery who was absent at the time of this conference was ordained a high priest, August 28, 1831, "by the voice of the Church and the command of God." (See "Essentials in Church History," pp. 126-127.)

John the Baptist informed Joseph and Oliver that the 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." (D. H. C. Vol. 1:39.) In the conferring of this Priesthood the messenger also said: "* * * 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." This saying has led to some speculation and needless discussion. We may be sure that the Aaronic Priesthood will never be taken from the earth while mortality endures, for there will always be need for temporal direction and the performance of ordinances pertaining to "the preparatory Gospel." Oliver Cowdery writing in the early day of the Church of the glorious vision has given us a little different version of this restoration, as follows:

"On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake to us while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked-for message, and the Keys of the Gospel of repentance! What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the world was racked and distracted—while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard. As in the blaze of day; yes, more—above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then the voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, "I am thy fellow servant," dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! 'Twas the voice of an angel from glory. 'Twas a message from the Most High! and as we heard we rejoiced while his love enkindled our souls, and we were wrapt in the vision of the Almighty. Where was room for doubt? Nowhere, uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk, no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever!

"But dear brother, think, further think for a moment, what joy filled our hearts, and with surprise we must have bowed (for who should not have bowed the knee for such a blessing!) when we received under his hands the Holy Priesthood as he said, 'Upon you my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon earth that the sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." (Messenger and Advocate, p.16.)

There can be little question about the meaning of the words of the angel. The Priesthood was to remain that the sons of Levi may offer an offering in righteousness.

2. After the children of Israel came out of Egypt and while they were sojourning in the wilderness Moses received a commandment from the Lord to take Aaron and his sons and ordain them and consecrate them as priests for the people. (Ex. 28.) At that time the males of the entire tribe of Levi were chosen to be the priests instead of the first-born of all the tribes, and Aaron and his sons were given the presidency over the Priesthood thus conferred. Since that time it has been known as the Priesthood of Aaron; including the Levitical Priesthood. The males of the tribe of Levi from one month upwards at the time they were called, numbered 22,000 souls, and they were to be invested with authority from that time forth in Israel. It should be remembered that the Melchizedek Priesthood was withdrawn from the people when Moses was taken away, so that the Aaronic Priesthood remained with the carnal law, or the law of Moses, until the coming of Jesus Christ. In the calling of Aaron and his sons, the Lord made it known that this presiding authority over this Priesthood should be handed down from father to son. This was true also of the Levitical, which is a division of the Aaronic. All who were of the tribe of Levi were entitled to be priests and to officiate in some capacity in this authority. In making the change and choosing the Levites instead of the first-born of all the tribes, the Lord said:

"And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel, instead of the first born. * * * Therefore the Levites shall be mine; because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast; mine shall they be: I am the Lord. * * *

"Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and three score and thirteen of the first born of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; thou shalt even take five sheckels apiece by the poll after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: and thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons. (Numb. 3:6; 12; 13; 45; 48)

The Lord had promised to make Israel a nation of priests, but because of their rebellion and failure to hearken to his word, in his anger, he took the Melchizedek Priesthood away with Moses, and left the people subject to the ministrations of the tribe of Levi. The prophets in Israel, however, received special ordination and were from the several tribes.

The Levitical Priesthood conferred on the men of the tribe of Levi, was subject to the authority of Aaron and was a part of the Aaronic Priesthood. It was the duty of the Levites to assist the priests of Aaron. Their duties are stated in the book of Numbers. Some of their principal duties were as follows:

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest that they may minister unto him. And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation to do the service of the tabernacle. And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and his sons: They are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. ( 3.)

The Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the preparatory Gospel. In other words it holds the keys of the preaching of faith in God, repentance from sin and baptism by immersion for the remission of sin, with power to officiate in the ordinance of baptism. These keys were conferred upon Aaron and have descended through his posterity from generation to generation until John the Baptist who held the keys by divine right and through blessing as well as lineage. Had the Church of Jesus Christ been fully organized and properly organized with the Jews in John's day, that is to say when he was preaching in the wilderness, instead of the Jews being in a dreadful state of apostasy, John the Baptist would have taken his place by right as the presiding priest of the Aaronic order. But the Jews recognized him not, and failed to understand the nature of his authority, even as they failed to comprehend the authority of our Lord. By right of his authority John laid the foundation for the overthrow of their power and kingdom, which was based on a false foundation. (D. and C. 84:28.) Had they accepted John then also would they have accepted the Savior. There is perfect order in the Kingdom of God, and he recognizes the authority of his servants. It was for this reason John, who acted under the direction of Peter, James and John came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the Aaronic Priesthood, which John held in the dispensation of the Meridian of Time. (D. H. C. Vol. 1:40.)

"John was a priest after the order of Aaron, and had the keys of that priesthood and came forth preaching repentance and baptism for remission of sins, but at the same time cries out, 'There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose, and Christ came according to the word of John, and he was greater than John, because he held the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and kingdom of God, and had before revealed the priesthood of Moses, yet Christ was baptized by John to fulfil all righteousness; and Jesus in his teachings says: 'Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. "What Rock? Revelation." (Joseph Smith—D.H.C. Vol. 5:258.)

4. The question often arises: "What will be the nature of the offering that will be made by the sons of Levi?" While nothing has been given by revelation definitely stating what it will be, yet the implication in all the scriptures is that it will be just what they did before in ancient Israel. The Prophet Joseph Smith has said:

"It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in the future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges, and authority of the Priesthood, or with the prophets. * * *

"These sacrifices as well as every ordinance, belonging to the priesthood, will when the Temple of the Lord is built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings." D. H. C. "Teachings of the Prophet," p. 172.

In the restoration of all things, these ancient practices which were given in the beginning—not the carnal law—and which had a bearing on the coming of Jesus Christ, will be restored. That sacrifice by blood should continue to be necessary forever, we need not suppose to be the case. (3 Nephi 9:18-20.)

5. The Priesthood before the days of Aaron which officiated in all the offices of the Church was the Melchizedek Priesthood. Even Melchizedek, king of Salem, and after whom the Holy Priesthood was named because of his faithfulness, acted in the office which today is assigned to the Bishop of the Aaronic order. These men had to serve in temporal as well as in spiritual things. In fact the Aaronic Priesthood is part of the Melchizedek Priesthood, that is to say, out of the Melchizedek Priesthood it came, and the Melchizedek circumscribes all Priesthood.

[candyprpl]

Thanks everyone -- you've been a big help.:)