Class 7 – Sections 84, 107, and Official
Declaration 2
The Priesthood
Sect. 85 -- One Mighty and Strong
• v. 7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send
one mighty and strong… to set in order the house of God, and
to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names
are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their
children, enrolled in the book of the law of God.
Steady the Ark
• v. 8 While that man, who was called of God and appointed,
that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall
by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid
shaft of lightning.
Section 104
• Economic situation in Kirtland becoming difficult.
• People moving in without resources. Debt for building
increasing.
• Saints lost property in Missouri.
• United Order in Kirtland and Missouri decoupled.
The Lord can and will provide...
v. 14-16 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the
earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine. And
it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are
mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way…
The Lord’s Way…
v. 16-17 … and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have
decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be
exalted, in that the rich are made low. For the earth is full, and
there is enough and to spare.
Debts
v. 78 And again, verily I say unto you, concerning your debts—behold it is
my will that you shall pay all your debts.
v. 80 And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the
prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in
debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.
v. 83 I give unto you a promise, that you shall be delivered this once out of
your bondage.
Section 84
• Given in Kirtland, Fall 1832.
• Missionaries returning and reporting on their labors
• Given to Joseph Smith and six elders..
Section 107
• Given in Kirtland, Spring 1835.
• The Apostles met just before leaving on missions.
Official Declaration 2
• Revelation announced in June 1978.
• No one with Negroid ancestry could hold the Priesthood or
receive temple ordinances.
• Many members from Brazil and elsewhere probably had
African ancestors. Some were ordained to the preisthood.
The Curse of Cain
Cain
Noah
Egyptus
Ham
Africans
Shem
Japheth
Premortal Status
•But … “A man must be punished for his own sins…”
•Was the distinction between races based on something that
happened before this life?
• Was the reason based on things we couldn’t foresee and the
Lord didn’t reveal?
What is Priesthood?
According to Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
• As pertaining to eternity, priesthood is the eternal power and authority
of Deity by which all things exist; by which they are created, governed,
and controlled; by which the universe and worlds without number have
come rolling into existence; by which the great plan of creation,
redemption, and exaltation operates throughout immensity. It is the
power of God.
According to Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
• As pertaining to man's existence on this earth, priesthood is the power
and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things for
the salvation of men. It is the power by which the gospel is preached;
by which the ordinances of salvation are performed so that they will be
binding on earth and in heaven; by which men are sealed up unto
eternal life…
What is Priesthood?
•The power of God
•The authority of God
What is the difference between power and
authority?
What is the difference between power and
authority?
For a law enforcement officer:
• Power comes from his gun.
• Authority comes from his badge.
Priesthood as Authority
How the church is organized through the priesthood.
How Many Priesthoods Are There?
How Many Priesthoods Are There?
•There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely,
the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the
Levitical Priesthood. - D&C 107:1
How Many Priesthoods Are There?
Answer to the question, Was the Priesthood of Melchizedek taken away
when Moses died? All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different
portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak
with God face to face was taken away; but that which brought the
ministry of angels remained. All the prophets had the Melchizedek
Priesthood and were ordained by God himself.
- Joseph Smith, 1841
How Many Priesthoods Are There?
•All other authorities or offices in the church are
appendages to this [the Melchizedek] priesthood. –
D&C 107:5
What is the Levitical Priesthood?
What is the Levitical Priesthood?
No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this
priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. But as a high
priest of the Melchizedek 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
Melchizedek Priesthood. –D&C 107:16-17
What is the Patriarchal Priesthood?
What is the Patriarchal Priesthood?
• An Evangelist is a Patriarch, even the oldest man of the
blood of Joseph or of the seed of Abraham. Wherever the
Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be
a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints.
– Joseph Smith
What is the Patriarchal Priesthood?
•It is the duty of the Twelve, in all large branches of the
church, to ordain evangelical ministers, as they shall be
designated unto them by revelation – D&C 107:39
•It was the primary administrative priesthood from Adam
through Noah and at times thereafter. – D&C 107:40 - 53.
What Is the Office of Patriarch to the
Church?
• Joseph Smith, Sr., Dec 1833
• Hyrum Smith took over this office in 1841 after the death
of Joseph Smith, Sr.
Patriarch to the Church
Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was
appointed unto him by his father, by blessing and also by right; That
from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings upon
the heads of all my people, That whoever he blesses shall be blessed,
and whoever he curses shall be cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven. -D&C 124:91-93
…
Patriarch to the Church
•Was formerly sustained as “prophet, seer, and revelator”
as was the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles.
•Currently Eldred G. Smith is “Patriarch Emeritus” and
there is no one serving actively as Patriarch to the Church.
Offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood
•Elder from 1830
•Seventy from 1835
•High Priest from June 1831
•Patriarch from 1833
•Apostle from 1835
Stake as a Miniature Church
•Stake President has keys to allow ordinances of salvation
to be administered to all members of a stake.
•Presidency +Council of 12 + Patriarch
•More and more trust must be placed in local leaders, as
general leaders can’t be everywhere.
Ward as a Miniature Church
•Bishopric is the “Ward Presidency” – the Presiding High
Priest in the Ward.
•Bishop is the President of the Aaronic Priesthood.
•Bishop uses PEC and Ward Council. – Relies on quorums
and auxiliaries.
Offices of the Aaronic Priesthood
• deacon from 1830
• teacher from 1830
• priest from 1830
• bishop from 1831
Presiding Councils
• First Presidency – v.22
•Apostles or traveling high councilors – special
witnesses of Christ. – v. 23-24, 33
•Seventy – preach, be especial witnesses v. 25-26, 34
Ministry by Councils
•Unanimous decision required. v. 27.
•Why councils?
•How do councils work in the church?
Conferences and Common Consent
•What is the role of conferences in Church administration?
•D&C 20:61-63.
In Summary
D&C 107:99 -100. Wherefore, now let every man learn his
duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all
diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to
stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself
not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even
so. Amen.
Section 84 – Power in the Priesthood
•Why was the section given?
• D&C
84:1-5
•Can we expect to establish Zion on other principles?
Section 84
And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and
holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the
key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances
thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
- D&C 84:19-21
What is the “Power of Godliness”?
What is the “Power of Godliness”?
• D&C 84:22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the
Father, and live.
•D&C 93:1 Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every
soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my
name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall
see my face and know that I am;
Oath and Covenant
-The contract is made by ordinance or oath.
-The covenant lasts until the terms of the contract
are realized.
Oath and Covenant
32-33 … faithful unto obtaining the Aaronic and
Melchizedek Priesthoods and magnify their callings
• v.
• v. 36 … receive the Lord’s servants …
• v. 44 …live by every word that procededth forth from the
mouth of God.
Oath and Covenant
• v. 33 … sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies
• v. 34 … become the sons of Moses and Aaron…
• v. 34 … and the seed of Abraham …
• v. 34 … and the church, and kingdom, and the elect of God.
• v. 38 … all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
Light
• v. 45-46 … light is Spirit … the Spirit giveth light to every man …
• v. 49 … the whole world lieth in sin and groaneth under darkness …
Important and Interesting Notes
•v. 28 John the Baptist was baptized in his childhood and
ordained to his calling (not the priesthood) at 8 days old.
•v. 36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words,
light and truth.
• v. 57 Remember the new covenant: Book of Mormon and
the commandments.
Important and Interesting Notes
•v. 85 … treasure up in your minds continually the words of
life, and it shall be given you in the very hour…
•v. 92 … cleanse your feet …
•v. 98-102 A new song…
• v. 109 … let every man stand in his own office …
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I
will go before your face. I will be on your right hand
and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your
hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear
you up. – D&C 84:88