Life of David W. Patten, the First Apostolic MartyrWilson, Lycurgus A. (Lycurgus Arnold)
History
Life of David W. Patten, the First Apostolic Martyr
Wilson, Lycurgus A. (Lycurgus Arnold)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Apostles -- Biography; Patten, David W., 1799-1838
"4. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being,
to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church,
in ancient days, called that Priesthood after Melchisedek, or the
Melchisedek Priesthood.
"5. All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to
this Priesthood.
"6. But there are two divisions or grand heads--one is the Melchisedek
Priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic, or Levitical Priesthood.
"7. The office of an Elder comes under the Priesthood of Melchisedek.
"8. The Melchisedek Priesthood holds the right of Presidency, and has
power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of
the world, to administer in spiritual things.
"9. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of
Melchisedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the
church.
"10. High Priests after the order of the Melchisedek Priesthood, have
a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the
Presidency, in administering spiritual things; and also in the office
of an elder, priest, (of the Levitical order,) teacher, deacon, and
member.
"11. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the High
Priest is not present.
"12. The High Priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things,
agreeable to the covenants and commandments of the church; and they
have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when
there are no higher authorities present.
"13. The second priesthood is called the priesthood of Aaron, because
it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their
generations.
"14. Why it is called the lesser priesthood, is because it is an
appendage to the greater or the Melchisedek Priesthood, and has power
in administering outward ordinances.
"15. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood and holds the
keys or authority of the same.
"16. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this
priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron.
"17. But as a High Priest of the Melchisedek Priesthood has authority
to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office
of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided
he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands
of the Presidency of the Melchisedek Priesthood.
"18. The power and authority of the Higher or Melchisedek Priesthood,
is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church--
"19. To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom
of heaven--to have the heavens opened unto them--to commune with
the general assembly and church of the first born, and to enjoy the
communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator of
the new covenant.
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