Hello! My name is Danny and I was an active Latter-day Saint for 60 years.
Last week, I released a video called Melchizedek priesthood of Mormonism – Part 1. Today, I’m going to conclude covering this topic in Part 2. I’m posting these videos during the month of May, in commemoration of the falsely claimed restoration of priesthood authority to the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith Jr.
Also, six months ago I published a video titled Levitical priesthood of Mormonism. I encourage you to watch it. In that presentation, I used scripture to show that there was no legitimate connection between the biblical Levitical priesthood and the modern Mormon Aaronic priesthood. To understand the Levitical priesthood, we must look in the Bible because it is the only true source. It certainly isn’t mentioned in the Book of Mormon - because there were no Levites among the Nephites. It is only in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scripture where we find the Levitical priesthood’s origin and purpose. Then in the New Testament or Apostolic Record, we find the Levitical priesthood being fulfilled along with the rest of the mosaic law. The temple, sacrificial rituals, and ordinances under the Old Covenant were abolished forever. It was replaced by a New Covenant through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Levitical priesthood with its animal blood sacrifices was never intended to be permanent. It was a foreshadowing of the final sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The Levitical priesthood along with all temple ordinances would terminate with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Yeshua. And cease to be practiced when the temple was entirely destroyed in 70 AD. Paul speaks to this in Ephesians 2:15 “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.” Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” If you are LDS, you may have never considered these passages before, but they make it very clear - the Old Covenant was being discontinued and replaced by a better one. No need to “restore” it in modern times.
I have explained before - that all priests had to be Levites, but not all Levites were priests. There were specific age requirements and physical qualifications to be a priest – 30 to 50 years old. In the New Testament, we read of Zechariah being a Levite priest working in the temple. His son John the Baptist was a Levite but he was not a priest. Instead, John was a prophet. The final prophet to usher in the long-anticipated Messiah. Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John.” If John the Baptist was not a priest after the order of Aaron, logically how could he confer a priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery that he himself did not have? Smith made this mistake in not understanding the Bible well enough when he fabricated and backdated that story in LDS Church history.
I need to mention here - that in the 1833 Book of Commandments, which was the predecessor of the Doctrine and Covenants – no mention was made of an 1829 account of John the Baptist restoring the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood. It wasn’t known until it was first published in the Times and Seasons on August 1, 1842. So, for almost a decade and a half – no one in the Mormon Church knew about this significant event. AND – it was not part of their canonized scripture for nearly a half a century, when it was finally added to the 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 13). Obviously, this fictitious event was anachronistically inserted into church history to include “priesthood authority.”
Now, to quote former LDS Church historian and BYU professor Richard Bushman in his popular book Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling pg. 75 “Joseph did not tell anyone about John the Baptist at first. Summarizing the key events in his religious life in a 1830 statement, he mentioned translation but said nothing about the restoration of priesthood or the visit of an angel. The first compilation of revelations in 1833 also omitted an account of John the Baptist. David Witmer later told an interviewer he had heard nothing of John the Baptist until (1834) four years after the Church’s organization. Not until writing his 1832 history did Joseph include ‘reception of the holy Priesthood by the ministering of angels to administer the letter of the Gospel’ among the cardinal events of his history, a glancing reference at best… The late appearances of these accounts raises the possibility of later fabrication.”
The organizational structure of the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood in Mormonism is outlined in the Doctrine and Covenants, which states that at age 12, an LDS boy can be ordained a “deacon.” At age 14, a boy can be ordained a “teacher.” Then, at age 16, a boy can be ordained a “priest.” None of these offices and its duties in Mormonism correlate to what the ancient church had in the Bible. Thus, it’s not a restoration of anything. It is a completely invented separate priesthood system – outside the ancient priesthood which God instituted. And before His Son, the Messiah came upon the scene to replace it. It is amazing how Mormonism claims to have the restored priesthoods, when those priesthoods bear no resemblance to the priesthood found in the Bible.
Remember, under the Levitical priesthood, there was always only one HIGH priest, a direct descendant of Aaron, who filled that responsibility until his death. His most sacred duty was to enter the holy of holies in the tabernacle/temple on the Day of Atonement (called Yom Kippur) to make a blood offering upon the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. The holy of holies was separated by a thick curtain or veil preventing anyone else from entering. The high priest would sprinkle the sacrificial animal’s blood on the mercy seat. An act of atonement for the sins committed that year by that high priest and the whole nation of Israel. If the offering was accepted by God, the high priest would be allowed to exit the holy of holies, alive. When that high priest came to an end of his mortal life, a new mediating Levitical high priest would take his place until he died.
This continued for hundreds of years until - Yeshua our Great High Priest fulfilled this ordinance by entering the heavenly holy of holies and offering His own shed blood from the cross as an atonement for the sins of not just the Jews, but for the whole world. The Levitical priesthood would finally terminate with Yeshua’s sacrifice. Unlike the Levitical high priests who served until their deaths and then were replaced by another – Yeshua our Great High Priest lives forever. Thus, ending a need for a continuous line of more priests and high priests. It states in Hebrews 8:13 “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 10:9-10 “Then said he (Yeshua), Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He takes away the first that he may establish the second. By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
The Jerusalem temple veil that was torn from top to bottom in Matthew 27:50 - representing Christ’s own flesh recorded in Hebrews 10:19-20 - has been hung up in hundreds of today’s LDS temples. It is apparent that Mormonism contradicts what Christ came to do under the New Covenant. Wouldn’t that qualify as being anti-Christ? Going against what Christ came to do and finish?
In Mormonism, the system of the Levitical priesthood and Melchizedek priesthood along with high priests was not really restored - but created - even after Jesus fulfilled its purpose. Instead of Yeshua now being the only Mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”) – Mormonism changed it by making mortal men such as bishops, stake presidents, and general authorities, to be mediators between God and its members. Like in Catholicism, when parishioners give confession to their priests - Latter-day Saints today confess their serious sins to their high priest bishops and high priest stake presidents. Their spiritual worthiness or unworthiness depends on the discernment and judgment of those in authority over them. But that is NOT how it works in the New Covenant of Christ.
According to the Bible, the Old Covenant Levitical priesthood was replaced by a better Covenant. I hope that is crystal clear. If you have never carefully read the book of Hebrews, you are missing the whole point of this vitally important topic on priesthood. Here it states in Hebrews 7:12-17, 22-25 “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, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he (Yeshua) of whom these things are spoken pertained to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises another priest Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he (God speaking to His Son) testifies, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And there truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continues forever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.”
Yeshua lives forever as our High Priest. The only One we will ever need. Consequently, His priesthood or power will never be transferred to any mortal human being. The Greek word for “unchangeable” is “aparabatos”, which literally means “untransferable” or “permanent.” Yeshua is without successors and the sole possessor of His priesthood or power. He even declared to His disciples before leaving them in Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, ALL power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” It is exclusively His. Unlike the LDS portrayal of Jesus laying hands on the heads of His apostles - Jesus did not lay hands when He called and ordained His disciples (see, The Chosen, Season 3, Episode 2). In John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” The word “ordained” in Greek means to “appoint” or “authorize.” Again, there was no priesthood mentioned.
Yet - in Mormonism, priesthood is even bigger than God Himself and predates God’s own existence and exaltation. It is something the God of Mormonism must even submit to. According to Mormonism, “priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children.” This LDS Melchizedek priesthood was first claimed to be given to Adam as a high priest (Moses 6:67) and passed down from one Old Testament prophet to another according to Doctrine and Covenants 107:40-53. Mormonism claims that having this priesthood gives LDS men the capacity to be as Christ is, and to progress to godhood based on their worthiness (Doctrine &Covenants 132:19-20). Which was simply an attempt by Joseph Smith to try and convince his wife Emma of plural marriage. But there is no biblical evidence for those extra-biblical teachings.
Here is something for Latter-day Saints to think about. It is now public knowledge that in the LDS temple endowment, Adam asks Lucifer about the unique apron Lucifer wears around his waist. Lucifer responds, “it is an emblem of my power and priesthoods.” Then Lucifer tells Adam and Eve to “take some fig leaves and make you aprons.” At this point, the Narrator in the endowment instructs the LDS in the room to “put on your aprons,” which they do. These are the very aprons Satan with his priesthoods just told Adam and Eve to make! The LDS patrons in the endowment session have a similar apron as Lucifers’ also embroidered with fig leaves. Why would God want those making covenants in the LDS temples to wear an apron that represents Lucifer’s power and priesthoods? Do those two LDS priesthoods represent Satan’s power and priesthoods? And without these two priesthoods – Mormon doctrine teaches that men will have no chance at true salvation or exaltation. As for LDS women - their eternal progression is contingent on being married and sealed in the temple to a worthy priesthood-holding male.
Something else to consider - Joseph Smith Jr. claims he saw a physically resurrected God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. Then, he claims to have received the two Mormon priesthoods – the Aaronic and Melchizedek, almost a decade later in 1829. But in 1832, Smith writes in Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-22 “And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holds 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. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh. For without this (priesthood authority and ordinances) no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” That begs the obvious question: how did Smith see God the Father in 1820, when Smith hadn’t yet received the ordinances or the priesthoods until 1829? See the conflict? It makes no logical sense.
One of the Book of Mormon witnesses, and the third baptized member of the church, and also an LDS Apostle – David Witmer wrote this in his An Address to All Believers in Christ p. 35 “The next grievous error which crept into the church was in ordaining high priests… This error was introduced at the instigation of Sidney Rigdon. The office of high priest was never spoken of, and never thought of being established in the church until Rigdon come in… Sidney Rigdon was the cause of almost all the errors which were introduced which was in the church… Rigdon finally persuaded Brother Joseph to believe that the high priests which had such great power in ancient time, should be in the church of Christ today.”
Remember, in the New Testament or Apostolic Record - there is no mention of apostles, prophets, bishops, pastors, evangelists, teachers, or deacons holding a priesthood. Never once did Yeshua mention any priesthood with His disciples. He taught in Acts 1:8 that authority would come to them through the power of the Holy Spirit, not a priesthood.
When the Lord directly authorized His disciples, neither Yeshua nor His apostles “exercised” a priesthood to perform any work, including miracles. The Lord's command is all that is needed to authorize them to do His will. It is by the power of His word (Hebrews 1:3) that God created and sustains the universe; heals people (Matthew 8:5-13); cast out devils (Matthew 8:32); commissions to teach and baptize (Matthew 28:18-20); controls the elements (Mark 4:39); raised the dead (John 11:43). It states in Luke 9:1-2 that He gave power and authority to His disciples over devils, disease and sickness. But not through any priesthood system then - nor by any organized religion today. Instead, Yeshua authorized the apostles by and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
For example: When Peter was asked about his power or authority for healing a lame man, Peter made no attempt to mention priesthood. Instead, he pointed to Yeshua as the only source of power and salvation. Acts 4:7-10 “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent (lame) man, by what means he is made whole. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man standing here before you whole.” It was by the power of the name - Jesus Christ or Yeshua Mashiach that people were healed – not by a priesthood. If it had been by a priesthood that Yeshua and His disciples performed these miracles – don’t you think He and the disciples would have made that clear - at least once?
It’s time to use proper exegesis when reading scripture. When you do, the false teachings of man-made religion will be obvious to you. So again, I encourage you to read the book of Hebrews carefully to have a correct understanding of what I have been presenting in these videos. There is no evidence in the entire Bible of anyone but Jesus - being called “a priest after the order of Melchizedek.” LDS leaders may continue to assume that men like Peter, James, and John held this priesthood - but such claims are completely without biblical support. As a result, and for certainty - those ancient apostles could not have conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829 - a priesthood they themselves did not possess.
In conclusion, I hold Joseph Smith and his collaborators guilty. This time of contempt for the perfect work of Christ - by seeking to change back to the old order of things represented by the Mosaic law and its Levitical priesthood. Today’s General Leadership of the LDS Church compounds their own sin by perpetuating a priesthood system - whereby millions of other members share - albeit ignorantly for the most part - in the same deception of truth. I can speak from my own personal experience - because I was an ordained Mormon Melchizedek high priest for 30 years. Which I now recognize as priestcraft. Tough – yes, but true.
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God Bless!