History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 2Smith, Joseph, Jr.
History
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 2
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
64. Then comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all.
65. 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,
66. Or in other words, the presiding High Priest over the High
Priesthood of the Church.
67. From the same comes the administering of ordinances, and
blessings upon the Church, by the laying on of the hands.
68. Wherefore, the office of a Bishop is not equal unto it; for the
office of a Bishop is in administering all temporal things;
69. Nevertheless, a Bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood
unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron;
70. For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold
the keys of that Priesthood;
71. Nevertheless, a High Priest, that is, after the order of
Melchisedek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal
things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth,
72. And also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the
Church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors, upon testimony,
as it shall be laid before him, according to the laws, by the
assistance of his counselors, whom he has chosen, or will choose
among the Elders of the Church;
73. This is the duty of a Bishop who is not a literal descendent of
Aaron, but has been ordained to the High Priesthood after the order
of Melchisedek.
74. Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the
inhabitants of Zion, or in a Stake of Zion, or in any branch of the
Church where he shall be set apart unto this ministry, until the
borders {216} of Zion are enlarged, and it becomes necessary to
have other Bishops or judges in Zion, or elsewhere;
75. And inasmuch as there are other Bishops appointed, they shall
act in the same office.
76. But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the
Presidency of this Priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act
in the office of Bishop independently, without counselors, except
in a case where the President of the High Priesthood, after the
order of Melchisedek, is tried; to sit as a judge in Israel:
77. And the decision of either of these councils, agreeable to the
commandment, which says:
78. Again, verily I say unto you, the most important business of
the Church, and the most difficult cases of the Church, inasmuch
as there is not satisfaction upon the decision of the Bishop, or
judges, it shall be handed over and carried up unto the Council of
the Church, before the Presidency of the High Priesthood;
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