Difference between revisions of "Question: If the priesthood during Old Testament times could only be held by the tribe of Aaron, how did Lehi's descendants, who were of the tribe of Joseph, hold the priesthood?"

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The ''Cambridge Bible Dictionary'' affirms the fact that although Samuel was "not a priest he performed priestly functions and constantly offered sacrifice at various places" <ref>''Cambridge Bible Dictionary'', "Samuel," p. 90; see also ''LDS Bible Dictionary'', p. 599-600, 768).</ref>Latter-day Saints believe that all prophets from Adam to Moses held the higher or Melchizedek priesthood <ref>''Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith'', pp. 180-181). Until Moses, no other priesthood existed and all sacrifices offered prior to that time were done by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood (Gen. 4:4; 8:20-21; 31:54; 46:1; Ex. 5:3, 8, 17). Since the Nephites held this priesthood, they also were empowered to offer sacrifices just as Old Testament prophets had.<ref>See also ''A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon'', pp. 132-134; March 1994 ''Ensign'', p. 54.</ref>
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The ''Cambridge Bible Dictionary'' affirms the fact that although Samuel was "not a priest he performed priestly functions and constantly offered sacrifice at various places" <ref>''Cambridge Bible Dictionary'', "Samuel," p. 90; see also ''LDS Bible Dictionary'', p. 599-600, 768).</ref>Latter-day Saints believe that all prophets from Adam to Moses held the higher or Melchizedek priesthood <ref>''Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith'', pp. 180-181.</ref> Until Moses, no other priesthood existed and all sacrifices offered prior to that time were done by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood (Gen. 4:4; 8:20-21; 31:54; 46:1; Ex. 5:3, 8, 17). Since the Nephites held this priesthood, they also were empowered to offer sacrifices just as Old Testament prophets had.<ref>See also ''A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon'', pp. 132-134; March 1994 ''Ensign'', p. 54.</ref>
 
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Revision as of 11:49, 17 October 2016

  1. REDIRECTTemplate:Test3

Question: If the priesthood during Old Testament times could only be held by the tribe of Aaron, how did Lehi's descendants, who were of the tribe of Joseph, hold the priesthood?

Both the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood and the higher Melchizedek priesthood were exercised in Old Testament times and the higher priesthood was used to offer sacrifice

The Book of Mormon states that Lehi is from the Tribe of Joseph. However, in 1 Nephi and 2 Nephi it talks about how Lehi's descendants perfomred sacrifices, ordained priests, and built a temple after the manner of Solomon's temple. In the Old Testament with the Law of Moses it talks about how the Tribe of Levi were the only ones were allowed to exercise the priesthood to perform sacrifices, become priests, and work in the temple. Since we know that Book of Mormon people were subject to the Law of Moses prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, how is it that Lehi and his family were able to exercise priesthood authority?

As pertaining to the problem of Nephites and Lamanites officiating in the priesthood (Mosiah 2꞉3), it seems clear that the authority by which sacrifices were offered was the Melchizedek and not the Levitical priesthood.[1] That there are two priesthoods is clear in Hebrews 5꞉1-10 and Hebrews 7꞉5-28. Both the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood and the higher Melchizedek priesthood were exercised in Old Testament times and the higher priesthood was used to offer sacrifice (Heb. 7:27). Five Old Testament prophets who were apparently not Levites are mentioned in connection with the offering of sacrifices:

  1. Joshua (Ephraimite) - Josh. 8:30-31; 24:30
  2. Samuel (Ephraimite) - 1 Sam. 1:1-2, 20; 2:18; 7:9-19; 11:14-15
  3. Elijah (Gad or Manassah) - 1 Kings 18:31-38; 17:1
  4. David (Judah) - 1 Chron. 16:2; Matt. 1:2-6
  5. Solomon (Judah) - 1 Kings 3:2-3; Matt. 1:2-6

The Cambridge Bible Dictionary affirms the fact that although Samuel was "not a priest he performed priestly functions and constantly offered sacrifice at various places" [2]Latter-day Saints believe that all prophets from Adam to Moses held the higher or Melchizedek priesthood [3] Until Moses, no other priesthood existed and all sacrifices offered prior to that time were done by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood (Gen. 4:4; 8:20-21; 31:54; 46:1; Ex. 5:3, 8, 17). Since the Nephites held this priesthood, they also were empowered to offer sacrifices just as Old Testament prophets had.[4]


Notes

  1. ↑ (Alma 4꞉16-20; Alma 13꞉1-14; see also Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:124-126; Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, pp. 410-412).
  2. ↑ Cambridge Bible Dictionary, "Samuel," p. 90; see also LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 599-600, 768).
  3. ↑ Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 180-181.
  4. ↑ See also A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, pp. 132-134; March 1994 Ensign, p. 54.
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