Patriarichal Priesthood

[RubyHunter]

From another thread, I saw this...

The same reason Jesus had trouble getting his points across to Peter, what with denying him and all. The world was not, and in many important ways, still is not ready to accept the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through Joseph Smith. In fact, the 12 apostles (with Brigham Young) weren't apostles of Jesus Christ but of Joseph Smith (not for the reasons you're thinking of) but because of the grand and exalted role Joseph Smith had and now again has in the eternities. We still lack the Patriarchal Priesthood, which the Prophet was going to convey on Hyrum when he would then receive the Kingly Priesthood (which we totally lack).

Do we have any information pertaining to these two priesthoods? I'm curious.

[kamenraider]

Notquitewetyet is a little mixed up. We have both of these priesthoods. Joseph Smith explains them in his August 27, 1843 discourse. It's in the book The Words of Joseph Smith by Ehat & Cook.

[Notquitewetyet]

From another thread, I saw this...

Do we have any information pertaining to these two priesthoods? I'm curious.

Sorry, I accept Kamenraider's correction, with the actual addendum of I'd like more info on the Patriarchal Priesthood. Didn't Joseph Smith say, paraphrased, somewhere, that the Patriarchal Priesthood could only be had when the Temple in Nauvoo was complete? And the Kingly Priesthood, was that part of Joseph Smith's crowning in the Council of Fifty? Part of my reasoning came from this Sunstone article: The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism Cook's & Ehat's book looks like it's going for $200, so it's a bit beyond my accessibility.

[lukas_s]

We still have the Patriarchal priesthood, and this "kingly priesthood" is still in effect, IMHO, albeit without a Council of Fifty. Look at the evidence for the Second Endowment for such a "kingly priesthood." I won't talk about that here.

[Notquitewetyet]

We still have the Patriarchal priesthood, and this "kingly priesthood" is still in effect, IMHO, albeit without a Council of Fifty. Look at the evidence for the Second Endowment for such a "kingly priesthood." I won't talk about that here.

Okay. But will the Patriarchal Priesthood be lost when Eldred G. Smith dies? Since that does come through the Smith bloodline, at least traditionally. Not sure about the doctrine behind it.

[Notquitewetyet]

Notquitewetyet is a little mixed up. We have both of these priesthoods. Joseph Smith explains them in his August 27, 1843 discourse. It's in the book The Words of Joseph Smith by Ehat & Cook.

Here is a website with the discourse. Fascinating.

[lukas_s]

Okay. But will the Patriarchal Priesthood be lost when Eldred G. Smith dies? Since that does come through the Smith bloodline, at least traditionally. Not sure about the doctrine behind it.

I don't think the keys to the Patriarchal priesthood will be lost when Eldred Smith dies, since the office of Presiding Patriarch was abolished in 1979 and Smith was given the title of Patriarch Emeritus.

[Lightbearer]

Actually we do have the "Patriarichal Priesthood" the Church has all the Priesthood necessary for the salvation and exaltation of the children of men. I quote the following:

(D&C 107:1-20) THERE are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek 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 Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood. But there are two divisions or grand headsâ??one is the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of Melchizedek. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. High priests after the order of the Melchizedek 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. 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, agreeable 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. The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same. 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. The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the churchâ?? To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. 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, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments."

So I think according to this we do not "lack" any priesthood in the Church and having been to the Temple (although not able to discuss Temple content) I can say that there is no additional priesthood mentioned there. The only priesthood is the two mentioned in the revelations given to the Church. This Melchizedek priesthood being the Priesthood of Christ the Lord, which is the highest anyone can have... He was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.