The Restoration of the GospelWidtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Religion
The Restoration of the Gospel
Widtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Now, the Holy Priesthood has two divisions--the Lesser and the
Greater. It was the Lesser Priesthood that John the Baptist conferred
upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. It is also called the Aaronic
Priesthood since Aaron was the great representative of old bearing
this authority. The powers and limitations of this division of
priesthood--or Divine Authority--are indicated in the words of
ordination and the instructions of John the Baptist to Joseph Smith and
Oliver Cowdery.
First, the Priesthood of Aaron holds the keys of the ministering of
angels. One who has received this degree of authority has the right
to receive revelation and instruction from the angels of heaven.
They may minister to him, inspire him, and guide him, in his labors.
Moreover, the authority of this priesthood may call down upon man the
ministration of holy angels when it shall be necessary so to do.
Secondly, the Priesthood of Aaron holds the keys of the gospel of
repentance. One who holds this degree of authority may cry repentance
to his fellowmen. He may preach the Gospel of Jesus to them that they
may follow in His ways.
Moreover, the Priesthood of Aaron holds the keys of baptism by
immersion for the remission of sins. The preaching of one having
authority may be effective. Those hearing it may be converted. They
may confess their past sins and repent of them with a Godly sorrow. It
becomes necessary then to administer the ordinance of baptism to them.
This, one who holds the authority of the Aaronic priesthood may do. By
virtue of the delegated power which he holds, he may lead the candidate
for baptism into the water, and immerse him in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Finally, the Priesthood of Aaron may be said to hold the keys of all
temporal ministrations. Those holding this authority may look after the
needs of the poor, and the afflicted. They may care for the temporal
welfare of the Church. They may attend to such duties as will make for
the peace and comfort of worshipers. And they may attend to the sacred
ordinance of the sacrament, or the Lord's Supper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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