Priesthood in Mormonism/Part 1

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Priesthood in Mormonism Contents

In discussing Mormon Priesthood we will quote from authoritative Mormon books that define this LDS belief and then give a brief biblical or Christian response. The Gospel Through The Ages “was written and published under the direction of the General Authorities (who are the highest ruling leaders) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” according to the preface. Milton R. Hunter was the General Authority who actually wrote this book. In it he said, “Priesthood is probably the most important single item in the Gospel. Without it the ordinances could not be performed; neither could the true Church be established” (p. 61).

The 2006 study manual for the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Relief Society of the LDS Church (which includes most of the adult members) is entitled Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—Wilford Woodruff. The Introduction says, “The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles [all the highest leaders in the LDS Church] have established the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church series to help you deepen your understanding of the restored gospel and draw closer to the Lord through the teachings of latter-day prophets.”

In this manual the fourth LDS Prophet Wilford Woodruff said, “I do not know of any subject in the (LDS) Church of more importance to the inhabitants of the earth and to ourselves than the Holy Priesthood. By the power of the Priesthood, God, our Eternal Father, has organized all worlds, and redeemed all worlds that have ever been redeemed. By that same Priesthood men have administered on the earth in the ordinances of the Gospel of Christ” (p. 38).

If Priesthood is the most important item in the gospel as Hunter and Woodruff claim, why didn’t Jesus mention it at least once when He was teaching about the church and the gospel? Priesthood is never mentioned as part of the church in the four gospels of the New Testament. But Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” So, Jesus said HE is the most important item in the gospel!

The Apostle John wrote, “He that hath the Son [Jesus], hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life” (1 John 5:12). The Apostle John wrote five New Testament books but he never mentioned priesthood as part of the church once. He did say in Revelation 1:6 that all believers (male and female) were a “kingdom of priests,” just like Israel was told centuries before in Exodus 19:6. The Apostle Paul said, “I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). “Anything” in that text includes priesthood.

When Paul wrote about baptism in 1 Corinthians 1:10-25 and about the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, he didn’t mention priesthood and it isn’t mentioned in any of Paul’s epistles unless you believe he wrote Hebrews. Hebrews does mention Old Testament priesthood and the priesthood of Christ but what it says conflicts with what Mormonism teaches.

Hebrews 7:11-28 says that the Old Testament Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood has been changed now that the Lord Jesus is the One and Only High Priest for Christians. Jesus lives forever so He has no successors and no one else can ever hold His priesthood. Therefore, 1 Timothy 2:5-6 declares “There is one God, and One Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Old Testament priests functioned as mediators between God and men, but now Christ is the only Mediator for believers.

He is also the only sacrifice for our sins. That is why He is the “most important single item in the gospel.”

The LDS Church published a small book entitled True to the Faith in 2004. In the front is a message from the First Presidency (the LDS Prophet and his two counse­lors) that says, “We encourage you to refer to it as you study and apply gospel principles. Use it as a resource when you prepare talks, teach classes, and answer questions about the Church.” That sounds like the LDS First Presidency believes it contains official answers to questions about LDS beliefs. It is essentially a small dictionary of LDS terms that are listed from A to Z.

Under “Priesthood” it says, “The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass ‘the im­mortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39).” Moses 1:39 is LDS scripture in the Pearl of Great Price which says, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” That is the entire verse but it doesn’t even mention priesthood!

Nor is priesthood mentioned anywhere in the context or in the entire book of Moses except in Moses 6:7 where it is so vague it doesn’t explain anything. If that text is the best support that LDS have for their priesthood, it isn’t very convincing. Remember these LDS leaders were defining “Priesthood” in the book entitled True to the Faith. It also says that priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God, but nothing in the Bible supports that claim.

It claims that through this priesthood power God created and now governs the heavens and the earth and through it He redeems and exalts His children and brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. There is nothing in the entire Bible that says God used priesthood power to create or govern anything. Furthermore, in John 6:47 Jesus said, “He that believes in me has everlasting life.” He also said in John 10:28, “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Jesus did not mention priesthood in either of those contexts and He never mentioned it at any time when He was talking about salvation, eternal life or the church. Thus, Mormonism has no support from Jesus or the Bible for their priesthood.

Those who would like to read more about Mormon Priesthood can do so in my book entitled Mormon Claims Answered. We will continue our discussion of the LDS Priesthood next time.