The vital place of authority is seen in all realms of human experience.

"At least nine tenths of our knowledge is based on authority. All our historical knowledge, most of our geographical knowledge, an overwhelming proportion of our scientific knowledge, is founded, not on personal research or personal experience and observation, but on the testimony of others as to what they have seen or experienced."-The Outlook., September 28, 1907, page 154.

The need of divine authority to build the church was recognized by those in the sixteenth century of whom Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History states:

"Some of this class of people. . . . indulged the hope that God himself would in his own time erect for himself a new church, free from every blemish and impurity; and that he would raise up certain persons, and fill them with heavenly light for the accomplishment of this great object."-Book 4, Century 16, Section 3, Part 2, chapter 3.

Ruter's History of the Church mentions this need of authority:

"Some form of government is absolutely necessary, since without it no discipline or order could be preserved, and no religion could long subsist. From the very first, therefore, we find in the Church of Christ a regular chain of authority and subordination. . . . The authority exercised by the apostles, either collectively, in what may be termed their council or conference, or in their individual capacity, we find from various passages of the New Testament to have been considerable and extensive."-Century 1, chapter 3, page 25.

COLLATERAL READING,

It would be impossible here because of lack of space to give all Scriptures relating to priesthood. For a fuller treatment the reader is referred to The Priesthood Manual, published by Herald House, Independence, Missouri. A fine discussion of the subject will be found in Chapter VII, "Priesthood," of the book Fundamentals, by F. Henry Edwards.

AUTHORITY OF THE PRIESTHOOD)

Matt. 16:20-"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven" (19).

Matt. 18:18-"Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven."

*Luke 9:l-"And he gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

*Luke 10:9, 20-"And heal the sick who are therein, and say, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. . . . Behold, I will give unto you power over serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (9, 19).

John 20:23-"Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained."

Acts 10:38-"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

*I Cor. 5:4, 5-"And have the Spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh."

I Tim. 1:20-"Whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

†Gen. 6:7; 14:26-36; I Thess. 1:6.

D. and C. 83:6-"All they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord, for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me."

D. and C. 1:2.

MUST BE CALLED AND SENT OF GOD

Num. 3:10-"Thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."

2 Chron. 26:18-"It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed. "

Isa. 48:16-"And now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me."

Jer. 28:15-"Hear now, Hananiah: The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."

John 7:18-"He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. "

John 8:42-"I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."

John 13:16-"The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."

John 15:16-"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

John 17:18-"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."

Acts 13:2-"The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them",

Rom. 10:14, 15-"How shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent?"

Heb. 3:1, 2-"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him."

Heb. 5:4, 5, 10-"And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high high priest; . . . Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

Jer. 14:14; 23:21; *Matt. 10:35; John 20:21; Acts 1:24; 9:17; *Rom. 1:1; *13:1; *1 Cor. 1:26; 3:5; *7:29; Gal. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 22:6, 16.

Moroni 2:1-"The word of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them."

D. and C. 10:8-"Behold, I command you, that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called: wait a little longer."

D. and C. 92:1, 2-"There are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called, but few of them are chosen; . . . I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high."

D. and C. 120:5-"He that heareth him that is sent heareth the Lord who sent him, if he be called of God and be sent by the voice of the church."

D. and C. 17:1; 119:8.

ORDINATION BY THE LAYING ON OF HANDS

(See Chapter Eight: "The Gospel of Jesus Christ," topic, "Mode: The Laying on of Hands," page 166.)

CHOICE AND CALLING OF MINISTERS

Jer. 1:5-"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

*Matt. 22:14-"For many are called, but few chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment."

John 1:6-"Then was a man sent from God, whose name was John."

*I Cor. 1:26-"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are chosen."

Eph. 1:4-"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

Luke 6:13; Rom. 8:28.

AUTHORITY REQUIRED TO MINISTER AND PROPHESY

Num. 3:10-"And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."

I Sam. 13:9, 13, 14-"And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to men, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. . . . And Samuel said unto Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God. . . . now thy kingdom shall not continue."

2 Chron. 26:17, 18-"Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him four-score priests of the Lord, that were valiant men; and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests, the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense; go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed."

Jer. 23:21-"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied."

John 3:28-"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven" (27).

John 8:42-"Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."

Num. 16:1-33; Jer. 14:14; 29:9; *Rom. 1:1; 10:15; Heb. 5:4, 5.

SUPPORT OF MINISTERS PROVIDED FOR IN THE GOSPEL

†Luke 12:33-"And ye are sent unto them to be their ministers, and the laborer is worthy of his hire."

I Cor. 9:11-14-"If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

Gal 6:6-"Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."

2 Thess. 3:8, 9-"Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you; not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."

I Tim. 5:18-"For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the laborer is worthy of his reward."

2 Tim. 2:6-"The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits."

THE TWO DIVISIONS OF PRIESTHOOD

D. and C. 104:1-"There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely: the Melchisedec, and the Aaronic, including the Levitical priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchisedec priesthood, is because Melchisedec was such a great high priest: before his day it was called the holy priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, 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 Melchisedec, or the Melchisedec priesthood."

Verse 2-"All other authorities, or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood."

THE MELCHISEDEC PRIESTHOOD ORIGIN

Gen. 14:17-"Melchizedek, king of Salem. . . . . . . the priest of the most high God" (18).

Ps. 110:1, 4-"The Lord said unto my Lord. . . Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." This is understood to refer to Christ, as the following passage indicates.

Heb. 5:5, 6-"So also Christ glorified not himself, to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

Here the Melchisedec order is indicated as a high priesthood.

Heb. 7:11, 15, 17-"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec?"

Heb. 8:6-"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant."

Alma 9:63, 70-"The Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach those things unto the people. . . . Which order was from the foundation of the world."

D. and C. 83:2-"Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchisedec; who received it through the lineage of his fathers. . . . which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years."

D. and C. 104:9-"The power and authority of the higher, or Melchisedec, priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church."

D. and C. 84:3.

ANTIQUITY OF THE MELCHISEDEC PRIESTHOOD

*Gen. 14:17, 18, 26-29-"And Melchizedek, King of Salem, brought forth bread and wine; and he break bread and blest it; and he blest the wine, he being the priest of the most high God, and he gave to Abram. . . . . Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness. . . . . . . And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, it being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; and it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name" (18-20).

*Num. 16:10-"And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee; and seek ye the high priesthood also?"

*Heb. 7:1-3-"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; for this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God."

Alma 9:54, 60-73; 10:1-17.

Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:1-4; 7:22, 27; *8:3, 4.

D. and C. 42:8; 72:1; 83:2, 4.

ELDERS BEFORE AND IN THE DAYS OF MOSES

†Gen. 6:7-"Now this same priesthood which was from the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also."

Gen. 50:7-"And Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up . . . all the elders of the land of Egypt.

Exod. 3:16-"Go, and gather the elders of Israel together."

Exod. 4:29-"And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel."

†Gen. 6:24, 70; Exod. 12:21; 18:12; 24:1, 9; 28:1, 41; Num. 11:16, 25.

MELCHISEDEC PRIESTHOOD

IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Heb. 3:1-"Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."

*Heb. 7:3-"For this Melchizedek was ordained a Priest after the order of the Son of God, . . . all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually."

Heb. 7:12-"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."

I Pet. 2:5-"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

*Rev. 1:6-"And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father" (5, 6).

Rev. 5:9, 10-"For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests."

John 17:18; 20:21; Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:4, 6, 22; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; I Cor. 12:28; I Tim. 5:1, 17; Heb. 5:1; James 5:14; I Pet. 5:1-3.

AARONIC PRIESTHOOD

ORIGIN

Exod. 28:l-"And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."

Exod. 29:9-"The priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons."

Exod. 40:13, 15-"And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations."

Num. 18:6-"And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel . . . to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation."

Exod. 30:30; Num. 3:9 , 10; 8:10, 14, 15, 18, 20; Luke 1:5.

D. and C. 83:3-"And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever."

D. and C. 104:10-"The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic, priesthood is, to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances."

DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD

Num. 1:51-"And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up."

Num. 18:2-5-"And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father . . . shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle."

Num. 18:20, 21, 24, 30, 31-"And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them; I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. . . . But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as a heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit; therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. . . . Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor, and as the increase of the winepress. And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households; for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation."

Mark 2:24-"He went into the house of God, in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shew bread, which is not lawful to eat, but for the priests" (26).

*Luke 1:5, 8, 9-"A certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; . . . And while he executed the priest's office before God, in the order of his priesthood, according to the law (his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord)."

*Luke 17:14-"And he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed."

John 1:20-"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?" (19).

Heb. 7:5-"They that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law."

Heb. 7:11-"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron ?"

PRIESTHOOD OFFICES

I Cor. 12:28-"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

Eph. 4:11, 12-"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Matt. 10:1-4 (Twelve apostles chosen).

Luke 10:1, 2 (Seventy sent out) .

I Pet. 5:1-4 (Duty and call of elders).

Acts 20: 17, 28 (Elders).

I Tim. 5:17-"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy."

Acts 14:23-"Ordained them elders in every church."

Titus 1:5-"Ordain elders in every city."

Phil. 1:1 (Bishops and deacons).

I Tim 3:1-4 (Office of a bishop).

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

INDICATIONS OF A PRESIDENCY

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

James, the brother of the Lord, was one of three men in the New Testament church to bear this name. He was sometimes called "James the just." He did not come to prominence in the church until after the Ascension of the Christ. Because he was the Lord's brother and because of certain Hebrew customs regarding the right of a younger brother surviving an older one, and for other considerations this James rose in authority in the church.

Paul must have considered him a person of importance, for he mentions seeing James in Jerusalem, after the three years that Paul spent in Arabia following his conversion (Gal. 1:19).

It is believed that this is the James to whom Peter referred after his miraculous experience (Acts 12: 17).

A group of three men apparently presided over the church and even Paul, who was inclined to challenge the authority of others (Gal. 2:6; 2:11) admitted their administrative position when he wrote, "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship."-Gal 2:9. His acceptance of their recognition was also a token of his acceptance of their authority.

This James is believed to be the one who spoke for the presiding group in Acts 15:13-19. James also apparently sent out representatives (Gal. 2:12) who were recognized by both Peter and Paul.

The position of James as the presiding authority is indicated in Acts 21:17-26.

Thus, some infer that James was president of the church, and that Peter and John were his counselors.

For this identification of James, see Funk and Wagnalls New Standard Bible Dictionary, third edition, 1936, pages 410-411. Also see page 57, where this comment is made: "In the case of James, while he was not a mission worker, it is clear that he could not have come to his position at the head of the Jerusalem Church . . . without some appointment by the Church as its representative, which would involve, though in a still wider sense, the general idea behind the usage of the word [apostle]."

FORMATION OF THE PRESIDENCY

D. and C. 99:6-"The president of the church, who is also president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged, in his administration, by the voice of the church; and it is according to the dignity of his office, that he should preside over the high council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed."

D. and C. 104:11-"Of the Melchisedec priesthood, three presiding high priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the presidency of the church."

FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT

D. and C. 107: 39-"I give unto you, my servant Joseph, to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a seer, and a prophet."

BEAR THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

D. and C. 87:1-"Thou art blessed from henceforth that bear the keys of the kingdom given unto you."

PRESIDE OVER THE CHURCH

D. and C. 104:42-"The duty of the president of the high priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses. Behold, here is wisdom, yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet; having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church."

FUNCTIONS OF COUNSELORS TO THE PRESIDENT

D. and C. 87:3-"Thy brethren Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams (Counselors to Joseph Smith, the president of the church) . . .are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom; as also through your administration the keys of the school of the prophets . . . that through your administration, they may receive the word, and through their administration, the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth."

FUNCTIONS OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

THE CARE OF THE CHURCH

D. and C. 122:2-"The burden of the care of the church is laid on him who is called to preside over the high priesthood of the church, and on those who are called to be his counselors; and they shall teach according to the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and as they shall be directed by revelation, from time to time."

PRESIDENTS OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD

D. and C. 80:l-"The keys of the kingdom, which belongeth always unto the presidency of the high priesthood."

D. and C. 104:4-"The presidency of the high priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. "

D. and C. 122:2-"The burden of the care of the church is laid on him who is called to preside over the high priesthood of the church, and on those who are called to be his counselors; and they shall teach according to the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and as they shall be directed by revelation, from time to time."

D. and C. 104:5-"High priests . . . under the direction of the presidency."

DIRECT THE TWELVE

D. and C. 104:12-"The twelve are a traveling, presiding high council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the presidency of the church."

DIRECT THE STANDING MINISTRY

D. and C. 122:8-"Leaving the burden of care in organized districts, or conferences to the standing ministry, under the presidency of the church."

PRESIDE OVER HIGH COUNCIL

D. and C. 99:6-"The president of the church, who is also president of the council, is appointed by revelation . . . he should preside over the high council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed." He may preside without them, and they may preside in his absence.

DIRECTION OF FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

D. and C. 48:2-"Financial arrangements to be "by the presidency and the bishopric."

APPOINT BISHOPS

D. and C. 68:2-"Bishops ... shall be appointed by the first presidency of the Melchisedec priesthood."

APOSTLES

THE ORIGINAL TWELVE

Matt. 10:2 (Those chosen by Jesus) (2-4.).

Matt. 10:6-7-"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick; cleanse the lepers; raise the dead; cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give"' (7, 8).

Matt. 18:18-"Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven."

I Cor. 12:28-"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

Eph. 4:11-"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."

Eph. 4:12-"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

*Mark 16:13-19; Acts 1:8; 4:33; 5:1-12; 6:1-6; 8:14-17; 16:4, 5; 2 Cor. 11:28,

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION; VACANCIES FILLED

(More Apostles Than Twelve)

*Luke 6:13-16-"And when it was day, he called his disciples; and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. Simon whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes. And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor."

Acts 1:26-"They gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

Acts 12:1, 2-"Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword."

Acts 13:2, 3-"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."

*Acts 14:14-"When the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they rent their clothes."

Rom. 16: 7-"Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles."

There is some doubt about the meaning of this passage. Does it mean that "they were notable apostles," or that "the apostles had observed them"? Funk and Wagnalls Bible Dictionary says that "only the accusative form is found in Romans 16:7 which may represent either the feminine, Junia, or a contraction of a masculine name Junianus. In view of the large number of names of women and of Christian households in the this chapter, the former seems most likely."

But in another section (Under "Apostle") the text seems to accept the idea that Junia was an apostle.

*I Thess. 1:l-"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, servants of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

I Thess. 2:6-"Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ."

*I Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1, 19; *2:6-9.

1 Nephi 3:75, 78, 88, 114-116-"And I beheld that we went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory. . . . And I also beheld twelve others following him. . . . And after he was slain, I saw the multitudes of the earth, gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of Lord. . . . And the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed. . . . Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel . . . and these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed."

3 Nephi 5:44-56; 8:58-65; 6:1-3; 7:13; 8:28, 32; 9:4.

4 Nephi 1:16.

D. and C. 16:5-"Behold, there are others who are called to declare my gospel, both unto Gentile and unto Jew; yea, even twelve; and the twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name."

D. and C. 104:11-"The twelve traveling counselors are called to be the twelve apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ, in all the world; thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling."

D. and C. 17:8; 28:3; 99:13; 104:11, 12, 30; 105:1, 7, 8, 12; 107:40; 116:3; 117:3, 9; 118:3; 120:3, 4; 122:2, 5, 6; 123:13-15, 22, 23, 24; 124:3, 4; 126:10; 130:4; 133:2.

FALSE APOSTLES

2 Cor. 11:13; Rev. 2:2; D. and C. 64:7.

OTHERS, NOT OF THE TWELVE, SOMETIMES CALLED APOSTLES

D. and C. 83:10-"You are mine apostles, even God's high priests."

APOSTLES' COMMISSION

Mark 16:14-Jesus gave the twelve the great commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (15)

*Matt. 19:28-Jesus: "Ye who have followed me, shall, in the resurrection, when the Son of Man shall come sitting on the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Book of Mormon. It will be noted that references to the "apostles" generally indicate those of the church in Palestine. Here they are often called "the disciples," or "the twelve." The word "apostle" is not indexed in the Book of Mormon between the first book of Nephi, and Mormon 4:80. The visit of Christ and the appointing of the twelve on this continent is recorded in 3 Nephi.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TO ALL THE WORLD

D. and C. 16:5-"The twelve . . . are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature."

PERFORM THE ORDINANCES

D. and C. 17:8-"An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize, and to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons, and to administer bread and wine. . . . and to confirm those who are baptized into the church . . . and to take the lead in all meetings."

AUTHORITY

D. and C. 104:5-"High priests [apostles are high priests before ordained as apostles] after the order of the Melchisedec 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."

THE QUORUM

D. and C. 104:11-"The twelve . . . form a quorum equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned."

COUNCILORS-WITNESSES

D. and C. 104:11-"The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the twelve apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ, in all the world; thus differing from other officers in the church."

TRAVELING HIGH COUNCIL

D. and C.104:12-"The twelve are a traveling, presiding high council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the presidency of the church . . . to build up the church and regulate all the affairs of the same, in all nations."

DIRECT SEVENTY

D. and C. 104:13-"The seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the twelve."

D. and C. 104:17-"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."

COUNCIL ON CHURCH AFFAIRS

D. and C. 122:13-"The twelve should remain at Lamoni, and continue in council with the presidency and the bishop, and his counselors if practicable, a sufficient time after the adjournment of conference to counsel together, and agree on the things of the law and the general affairs of the church."

HISTORICAL NOTES ON APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

On the subject of apostolic succession, Dr. Morgan Dix is quoted:

"When our Lord Jesus Christ gave orders to the apostles to go forth and convert the nations, he said, 'I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' It is plain that this promise was incapable of fulfillment unless in a line of successors, with whom from that day to the last Christ should be personally present. In the sacred college there was one vacant place; as a matter of course that place must be filled. The call of St. Matthias was therefore a critical event. It meant the continuance of the apostolic office; it was the beginning of an apostolic succession."-New York Times, Feb. 25, 1889, quoted in Presidency and Priesthood, pages 46, 47.

Concerning this Mosheim says:

"The first care of the apostles after the Saviour's ascension, was to complete the number of twelve apostles established by Christ, by electing a more worthy person to the place of Judas, who had laid violent hands on himself."-Book 1 Century 1, Part 1, chapter 4, pages 45, 46.

Eusebius, church historian of the fourth century remarks:

"In the execution of this work, we shall be happy to rescue from oblivion the successions, if not of all, at least of the most noted apostles of our Lord, . . . . as I have not yet been able to find that any of the ecclesiastical writers have directed their efforts to present any thing complete in this department of writing."-Ecclesiastical History, Book 1, chapter 1, page 2. (Cruse, 1897. Ed.).

Ruter's History of the Christian Church informs us:

"From the very first, therefore, we find in the Church of Christ a regular chain of authority and subordination. In the appointment of the twelve apostles, and in the ordination of the seventy disciples, we plainly discern a regular and delegated authority, a constitution and a connected body."-Century 1, chapter 3, page 25.

COMMENT ON THE WORD "APOSTLE"

"In the New Testament it is used specifically for the Twelve, whom Jesus sent forth as his witnesses (Mark 3:14). As thus restricted, Paul appropriates the title to himself, as one who had been divinely commissioned to go forth and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and, therefore, was fully equal to the Twelve (Gal- 1:1, 11-16; 2:10).

"Beyond this restricted use, the term is applied in Acts to Paul and Barnabas (14:4, 14), evidently as those who by divine command had been sent forth by the Antioch Church to take the Gospel further into Gentile lands (Acts 13:1-3). It is not certain that Paul considers his co-workers, Silvanus and Timothy (I Thess. 1:1) or Apollos (I Cor. 3:23-49) as 'Apostles'; nor that in I Cor. 15:7 he had in mind a body of Apostles, apart from the Twelve . . . yet his reference (Rom. 16:7) to Andronicus and Junias would show that the term came to be used more widely than its first restricted reference to the Twelve and Paul. This is confirmed by Paul's reference to James, the Lord's brother, as an apostle (Gal. 1:19).

"As to the basis on which Andronicus and Junias were reckoned as apostles, they may have been sent forth, commissioned, to evangelistic service by some church in the East."-Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Bible Dictionary, third edition, 1936, page 57, heading, "Apostle" (references to A. V. of Bible).

BISHOPS

Phil. 1:1-"To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons."

QUALIFICATIONS

I Tim. 3:1-7-"If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt. to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. . . . Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without."

Titus 1:7-"Blameless, as the steward of God."

D. and C. 68:2-"Bishops . . . shall be high priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the first presidency . . . except they be literal descedants of Aaron and if they be literal descendents of Aaron, they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron; for the firstborn holds the right of presidency over this priesthood. . . . No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of Aaron; but as a high priest of the Melchisedec 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."

D. and C. 104:32-"A bishop must be chosen from the high priesthood, unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron . . . a high priest that is after the order of Melchisedec, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things."

ORDINATION

D. and C. 104:8-"Provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the presidency of the Melchisedec priesthood."

DUTIES

JUDICIAL

D. and C. 104:32-"To be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors, upon testimony."

PRESIDE OVER AARONIC PRIESTHOOD

D. and C. 104:8-"The second priesthood is called the priesthood of Aaron. . . . The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys of authority of the same."

RECEIVE "SUBSTANCE" FOR THE POOR

D. and C. 42:8-"Impart of your substance unto the poor, and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counsellors."

IN CHARGE OF STOREHOUSE

D. and C. 51:4-"Let the bishop appoint a storehouse unto this church, and let all things, both in money and meat, which is more than is needful for the want of this people, be kept in the hands of the bishop."

D. and C. 72:3-It is "the duty of the bishop . . . to keep the Lord's storehouse; to receive the funds of the church ... to take an account of the elders."

D. and C. 106:1-"I require all their surplus property to put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion, or the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion, and for the priesthood . . . and this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people; and after that, those who have thus been tithed, shall pay one tenth of all their interest annually"

APPOINT BISHOP'S AGENTS

D. and C. 117:10-"The bishop of my church may also choose and appoint bishop's agents."

DIRECT THE GATHERING

D. and C. 128:1-"The increasing desire for gathering together, and the necessity for obtaining places for settlement in the regions round about. . . . require that the bishopric be authorized to take such measures as will bring to pass the organization of those who are desirous and willing to form parts in colonization under terms of associations."

INTERPRETATION OF FINANCIAL LAW

D. and C. 129:8-"The church has been directed to accede to the rendition of the bishopric with respect to the temporal law; and until such heed is paid to the word which has been given, and which is in accordance with other revelations given to the church . . . the church cannot receive and enjoy the blessings which have been looked for when Zion should be fully redeemed."

EVANGELISTS

Eph. 4:11-"And he gave some . . . evangelists."

Acts 21:8-"The house of Philip the evangelist."

2 Tim. 4:5-"Do the work of an evangelist."

EVANGELICAL MINISTERS

D. and C. 125:3-"The patriarch is an evangelical minister. The duties of this office are to be an evangelical minister; to preach, teach, expound, exhort, to be a revivalist, and to visit branches and districts as wisdom may direct, invitation, request, or the Spirit of God determine and require; to comfort the saints; to be a father to the church; to give counsel and advice to individuals who may seek for such; to lay on hands for the conferment of spiritual blessings, and if so led, to point out the lineage of the one who is blessed.

4. "He is to be free from responsibility-ministerial-as a traveling minister, and from the care of local branch or church and district affairs. When traveling and preaching, holding revival meetings, he is to labor in connection with the branch and district officers, not subject to the ministerial control of the missionary in charge, except he should transcend his bounds and teach false doctrine or be found in transgression. He is not to meddle with branch affairs or district affairs. He is not to listen to complaints made by individuals to him, but if persons insist upon presenting their troubles, he is to request them and require them to make them in writing. . . . which it will be his duty to present to the branch or district officers. He is not to be put in charge of either branch or district.

D. and C. 104:17-"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. and C. 126:3-"To minister in spiritual blessings to the church."

D. and C. 125:5-"The presiding patriarch . . . when patriarchs meet in council, is to preside. . . . He may be asked for counsel, but will not have either voice or vote, except by courtesy, having no direct control of quorums."

HIGH PRIESTS

IN EARLY CHURCH

The first Christians, mostly Jews, appear to have recognized the office of High Priest in the church as a divinely appointed order. Naturally it is mentioned but a few times in the scanty writings left us, which is not strange in view of what Dr. Stanley alleges, that "of all the offices in the early Church," the origin of that of Deacon "is the only part of the institution of the Christian ministry of which we have a full description."-Christian Institutions, pages 173, 174.

It should be conceded, if these early ministers who learned from the apostles themselves of their associates knew the titles of their own offices, which seems reasonable to assume, there were high priests in the church of that period, by whatever names they were called in later centuries. The ecclesiastical historian, Theodoret, who lived in the fourth and fifth centuries, is quoted as saying of Ignatius, a contemporary of the apostles:

"That he (Ignatius) received the gift of the high priesthood from the hand of the great Peter."-Presidency and Priesthood, page 41.

Clement, an associate of Paul (see Phil. 4:3), and who Tertullian states was ordained Bishop of Rome by Peter, instructs the priests concerning the care of Christ's ministers:

"And the same care must be had of the persons who minister unto Him: for the Chief Priest has his proper services; and to the priests their proper place is appointed: and to the Levites appertain their proper ministries; and the layman is confined within the bounds prescribed to laymen."-The Christian Fathers, by Dr. Carmichael, page 22.

What Dr. Mosheim regards as wishful thinking by ministers of the second century, is more logically explained by their knowledge of scriptural teaching. He says:

"The bishops now wished to be thought to correspond with the high priests of the Jews; the presbyters were said to come in place of the priests; and the deacons were made parallel with the Levites."-Part II, chapter II, Section 4.

It is remarked by Mosheim that the New Testament expressed parts of the Christian religion in terms of the Jewish law or with reference to Mosaic rites, and then he observes:

"The majority decided that such phraseology was not figurative, but accordant with the nature of things, and to be understood in its proper sense. The bishops were at first innocently called high priests and the presbyters, priests, and the deacons, Levites."-Ibid., Chapter IV, Section 4.

Dr. Smith remarks on the later Christian use of the terms used concerning the priesthood that were employed under the Mosaic Covenant:

"It was thought of a succeeding age that the old classification of the high priest, priests, and Levites was reproduced in the bishops, priests, and deacons of the Christian Church."-Dictionary of the Bible, Article "Priest," page 549.

May it not be more reasonable to recognize that after the church began to depart from the faith in various matters of faith and practice, several names were either added or substituted in the priesthood that at first were unknown. The title of Pope is an instance of this kind.

While several writers in the third century wrote of various bishops as being like fathers to their church or appointed jurisdiction, it was not until late in the fourth century that a bishop of Rome first applied to himself alone the title of Pope, and it was several centuries later that this title became permanently established.

IN LATTER DAYS

D. and C. 17:17- "High priest is to be ordained by the direction of a high council, or general conference."

D. and C. 99 (This section is a record of the meeting of twenty-four high priests at Kirtland, Ohio, February 17, 1834, as a "high council" or "general council." It gives important instructions regarding the work of the high priests on the council.)

D. and C. 120:2 (The president of a branch should be a high priest, if one is available. The high priest may serve as president of a district.)

D. and C. 125:10 (Direction is here given for a high priest to preside over stakes).

D. and C. 83:22 (High priests may travel).

D. and C. 123:15 (When high priests are needed in missionary service abroad; they should labor under the direction of the twelve).

D. and C. 104:5 (High priests may officiate in any lesser office of both Aaronic and Melchisedec priesthood).

The high priest may serve as a bishop (104:32); as evangelist (129:7); as apostle and in the presidency.

SEVENTIES

OLD TESTAMENT

Num. 11:16, 17-"And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them into the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. . . .And they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone."

NEW TESTAMENT

Luke 10:1-"The Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."

FUNCTIONS OF MODERN SEVENTIES

D. and C. 104:11-"The seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world-thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling; and they form a quorum equal in authority to that of the twelve especial witnesses, or apostles. . . . And every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other."

D. and C. 107:44-"Seventies, which quorum is instituted for traveling elders to bear record of my name in all the world, wherever the traveling high council, my apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face. The difference between this quorum and the quorum of elders is, that one is to travel continually, and the other is to preside over the churches."

D. and C. 121:5-"The seventy may select from their number seven; of which number those now being of the seven presidents of seventy shall be a part; who shall form the presidency of seven presidents of seventy as provided in my law."

D. and C. 124:6-"The seven presidents of the seventy shall preside over the whole number of the seventy when assembled in council together; the senior, or chosen president of the seven presidents, shall preside over the six other presidents in their councils as presidents of the seventy; and when either quorum is sitting in council, as a quorum, then its chosen president shall preside over its sittings. When any quorum of the seventy may be sitting, any one, or all of the seven presidents, may at their request, or by invitation of such quorum, be present and take part in the deliberations of such council, but the president of such quorum but the president of such quorum only shall preside, except by consent of the quorum obtained by vote properly taken."

D. and C. 120:3-"The seventy when traveling by the voice of the church, or sent by the twelve to minister the word where the twelve can not go, are in the powers of their ministration apostles-those sent-and in meetings where no organization exists should preside, if no member of the twelve or presidency be present."

D. and C. 120:10-"The presidents of seventy are instructed to select from the several quorums of elders such as are qualified and in a condition to take upon them the office of seventy."

D. and C. 123:15 (Seventies are to labor under the direction of the twelve).

ELDERS

OLD TESTAMENT

Num. 11:16-"Elders of Israel . . . elders of the people, and officers over them."

Deut. 31:9-"And Moses wrote this law . . . unto all the elders of Israel."

NEW TESTAMENT

Titus 1:5-"Thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city."

I Pet. 5:1-3-"The elders which are among you I exhort. . . . feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof

MODERN DUTIES

D. and C. 17:8, 9-"The duty of the elders . . . to baptize, and to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and to administer bread and wine-the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ-and to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the Scriptures; and to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; and to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost, and to take the lead of all meetings.

"The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God."

D. and C. 104:5-7-"High priests . . . 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. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high priest is not present. The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, agreeably 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."

D. and C. 17:19-"Every member of the church of Christ having children, is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name."

D. and C. 104:31-"There must needs be presiding elders, to preside over those who are of the office of an elder."

D. and C. 120:2-"A branch may be presided over by. . . an elder. . .Districts may be presided over by . . .an elder."

D. and C. 42:12-"Whosoever among you are sick... The elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for, and lay their hands upon them in my name."

James 5:14, 15-"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

D. and C. 42:22, 23 (This passage describes the organization and functioning of an elder's court, for the trying of offenses against the code of morals by members of the church).

D. and C. 164:32 (Bishop to choose his counselors among the elders).

D. and C. 83:22 (Elders may travel)

OFFICES IN THE AARONIC OORDER

PRIESTS

NEW TESTAMENT

Acts 6: 7-"The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."

MODERN

D. and C. 17:10-"The priest's duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and attend to all family duties: and he may also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons; and he is to take the lead of meetings when there is no elder present. . . . In all these duties the priest is to assist the elder if the occasion requires."

D. and C. 17:10, 22 (The priest is the only member of the Aaronic order who may baptize or administer the sacrament).

D. and C. 104:31 (A priest is to preside over a quorum meeting of priests).

D. and C. 83:22 (A priest may travel).

D. and C. 111:1 (A priest may perform a marriage ceremony).

TEACHERS

NEW TESTAMENT

I Cor. 12:28-"And God hath set some in the church, . . . thirdly, teachers."

Eph. 4:11-"And he gave some . . . pastors and teachers."

MODERN

D. and C. 17:11-"The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with, and strengthen them, and see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other; neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking; and see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty, and he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder or priest, and is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires; but neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands; they are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ."

The teacher may preside: over a branch (D. and C. 120:2), or over a quorum of teachers (104:31 ).

A special publication, The Ministry of the Teacher, is available from the Herald Publishing House.)

The accepted interpretation of D. and C. 42:5, with General Conference Resolution 449, permits the teacher to preach in his own branch.

DEACONS

NEW TESTAMENT

Phil. 1:l-"Saints, . . . bishops and deacons.

I Tim. 3:8-"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre."

I Tim. 3:10-"Let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless."

MODERN

D. and C. 17:11 (Teacher is to be assisted always, if occasion requires, by the deacon).

D. and C. 17:12-(To be ordained "according to the gifts and callings of God unto him").

D. and C. 104:31 (A deacon to preside over meetings of the deacons).

D. and C. 104:38-"The duty of a president over the office of a deacon, is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them, and to teach them their duty-edifying one another."

D. and C. 120:2-"A branch may be presided over by a . . . deacon, chosen and sustained by the vote of the branch."

D. and C. 83:22-"A deacon is a standing minister unto the church."

(For other information on the work of the deacon, the reader is referred to The Ministry of the Deacon, to be obtained from the Herald Publishing House.)