Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. SmithSmith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding)
Religion
Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith
Smith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding)
Latter Day Saint churches
"Wherefore it must needs be that one be appointed of the high
priesthood to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called
president of the high priesthood of the Church:
"Or in other words, the presiding high priest over the high priesthood
of the Church."
It is well to remember that the term "high priesthood," as frequently
used, has reference to the Melchizedek Priesthood, in contradistinction
to the "lesser," or Aaronic Priesthood.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 5, p.
549, May, 1902.
AUTHORITY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH. I have the right to bless.
I hold the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the office and
power of patriarch. It is my right to bless; for all the keys and
authority and power pertaining to the government of the Church and to
the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood are centered in the presiding
officer of the Church. There is no business nor office, within the
Church, that the President of the Church may not fill, and may not do,
if it is necessary, or if it is required of him to do it. He holds the
office of patriarch; he holds the office of high priest and of apostle,
of seventy, of elder, of bishop and of priest, teacher and deacon in
the Church; all these belong to the Presidency of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they can officiate in any and in all
of these callings when occasion requires.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1915, p. 7.
RELATION OF MEMBERS OF FIRST PRESIDENCY. I desire to make another
remark or two before we close our conference. I will call your
attention to the fact that the Lord in the beginning of this work
revealed that there should be three high priests to preside over the
high priesthood of his Church and over the whole Church. (Doctrine and
Covenants {220} 107:22, 64, 65, 66, 67, 91 and 92.) He conferred upon
them all the authority necessary to preside over all the affairs of the
Church. They hold the keys of the house of God and of the ordinances
of the gospel, and of every blessing which has been restored to the
earth in this dispensation. This authority is vested in a presidency
of three high priests. They are three presidents. The Lord himself so
calls them. (Doctrine and Covenants section 107:29.) But there is one
presiding president, and his counselors are presidents also. I propose
that my counselors and fellow presidents in the First Presidency shall
share with me in the responsibility of every act which I shall perform
in this capacity. I do not propose to take the reins in my own hands
to do as I please; but I propose to do as my brethren and I agree
upon, and as the Spirit of the Lord manifests to us. I have always
held, and do hold, and trust I always shall hold, that it is wrong for
one man to exercise all the authority and power of presidency in the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I dare not assume such a
responsibility, and I will not, so long as I can have men like these
(pointing to Presidents Winder and Lund) to stand by and counsel with
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