| 553 things done wrong, wrong. For all these things we have asked the forgiveness of our heavenly Father; and wherein we have grieved or wounded the feelings of the Presidency, we ask their forgiveness. The time when we are about to separate is near; and when we shall meet again, God only knows; We therefore feel to ask of him whom we have acknowledged to be our Prophet and Seer, that he inquire of God for us, and obtain a revelation, (if consistent,) that we may look upon it when we are separated, that our hearts may be comforted. Our worthiness has not inspired us to make this request, but our unworthiness. We have unitedly asked God our heavenly Father to grant unto us through his Seer, a revelation of his mind and will concerning our duty the coming season, even a great revelation, that will enlarge our hearts, comfort us in adversity, and brighten our hopes amidst the power of darkness.
"'Orson Hyde}
"'Wm. E. McLellin} Clerks.
"'To President Joseph Smith, Jr., Kirtland, Ohio.'
"In compliance with the above request, I inquired of the Lord, and received answer. 2
"The school closed, the last week in March, to give the elders an opportunity to go forth and proclaim the gospel preparatory to the endowment.
2 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.
2. All other authorities, or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood; but there are two divisions, or grand heads-one is the Melchisedec priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic, or Levitical priesthood.
3. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of Melchisedec. The Melchisedec 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.
4. The presidency of the high priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church.
5. High priests, 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.
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