Aaronic Priesthood
On May 15, 1829 when the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon,
he found that it mentioned baptism for the remission of sins. With
concern on his mind, he and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery prayed to God
concerning baptism. As they prayed, a messenger from heaven appeared
before them. This messenger was John the Baptist, the prophet who had
baptized Jesus Christ centuries before. In an answer to prayer, the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.1
With the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood given to each of them,
they now had the authority to baptize one another, which was done at
that time.
This priesthood had been taken
from the earth during the Great Apostasy and now it had been restored
to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Bible recites numerous
scriptures relating to the Levitical Priesthood or Aaronic Priesthood
[the two names are one in the same]. In Exodus 40:15 it reads, "And
thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they
may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall
surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations." And
in Hebrews 7:11-12 "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 a necessity a change also of
the law." This lesser priesthood or the Aaronic Priesthood was
conferred upon Aaron and his sons, 'as an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.'
This priesthood, in those days, were conferred solely upon worthy
members of the lineage chosen to receive it which was the people of
Levi. This priesthood was conferred upon the whole house of Levi
who were between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age. John the
Baptist was a descendant of Aaron and thus held the keys of the Aaronic
Priesthood.
1 "The Book of Mormon", Doctrine and Covenants 13:1-2
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