| 193 There is one thing in the above which seems peculiar in connection with the account previously given, where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were commanded to and did ordain each other to the Melchisedec priesthood. He here says:-
"The man of sin was revealed, and the authority of the Melchisedec priesthood was manifested, and conferred for the first time upon several of the elders."
The reader will doubtless inquire, "How could this be the first time, if they were ordained to the office of elder over a year previous?" The thought here expressed by Joseph is also found in Lyman Wight's account, as recorded in his journal, as follows:-
"On the fourth of June, 1831, a conference was held at Kirtland, Ohio, represented by all the above-named branches. Joseph Smith, our modern prophet, presided. Here for the first time I saw the visible manifestation of the power of God, as plain as could have been on the day of Pentecost; and here for the first time I saw the Melchisedec priesthood introduced into the church of Jesus Christ, as anciently, whereunto I was ordained under the hands of Joseph Smith, and I then ordained sixteen others, such as he chose, unto the same priesthood."
Lyman Wight had been ordained an elder on November 20, 1830. If he was then ordained he received a further ordination. To what office could he have been ordained?
David Whitmer states in his "Address," page 64, as follows:-
"In Kirtland, Ohio, in June, 1831, at a conference of the church, the first high priests were ordained into the church."
Taking these testimonies together it is evident that both Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight had reference to the fullness of the Melchisedec priesthood being bestowed for the first time in June, 1831, recognizing the fact as afterwards explained by revelation (D. C. 83: 5) that, "the office of elder and bishop are necessary appendages belonging unto the high priesthood."
To this testimony and our conclusion P. P. Pratt agrees:-
(page 193) |
