Levites as Bishops?

[Morris Leibov]

I would like to comment on this.

 

I may be wrong (a little disclaimer), but as a Levite and a member of the church, and from what I've investigated, the right of lineage applies to the Presiding Bishop of the Church and not as a ward bishop. I don't think for a moment that a man can walk in off the street and claim his "right" to be a bishop in this church without proving his worthiness first. That just sounds silly to me. I don't think the Lord works that way. It is his church, not the Levite's. I do think, however, that if the Levite has proven worthy to be a ward bishop (with counselors), he may be called, by inspiration through the First Presidency, that he is "the first born among of the sons of Aaron" (section 68 of the Doctrine and Covenants) as the Presiding Bishop without counselors. May I add, can anyone imagine a bishop presiding over a ward without counselors? I don't think it's possible. Too many responsibilities!      

[Guest]

I always thought this was referring to the Presiding Bishop, not necessarily a ward bishop.

 

 

I would like to comment on this.

 

I may be wrong (a little disclaimer), but as a Levite and a member of the church, and from what I've investigated, the right of lineage applies to the Presiding Bishop of the Church and not as a ward bishop. I don't think for a moment that a man can walk in off the street and claim his "right" to be a bishop in this church without proving his worthiness first.

 

Yes, this principle only applies to the First Bishop of the Church.  It has nothing to do whatsoever with ward bishops.  See "Doctrines of Salvation" by Joseph Fielding Smith.

 

Yes, this applies to not just any Levite, but specifically a direct descendant of Aaron.

 

In addition, yes, they still need to be CALLED as the First Bishop.  So what is special?

 

When called, they are not required to have counselors and they are only required to be ordained to the Aaronic priesthood office of Bishop without the otherwise requisite high priest ordination or even Melchizedek Priesthood if circumstances are such that they have not yet received either at the time of calling.

 

A recent convert is ordained as a priest only.  It would stand to reason that since no proven direct descendant of Aaron has come forth such would most likely be a convert.

 

The Bible indicates that a bishop must be married to be given such a calling.  And in current practice, if a bishop divorces or is widowed, he is often released from that calling fairly soon.  Thus as an active and worthy member of the church he would either already or soon would be ordained an elder so he can be sealed to his wife.  But he would not necessarily be ordained a High Priest.

 

As I see it, the D&C is only stating this to indicate how it works.  In practical application, I don't see much reason to dwell on this.  Such a person would probably have already been ordained a high priest anyway.  And just because of the demands of the job, he'll probably want to call counselors anyway.