1. Read Hebrews 5:4; Numbers 27:18, 23; Doctrine and Covenants 42:11; Articles of Faith 1:5. From these verses describe in writing the Lord’s approved pattern for how someone comes to be a priesthood leader. How do we know who has authority in the Church today?
All of these verses tell us that all who gain the priesthood must be ordained by God and have someone with the proper authority confer to them the priesthood by the laying on of hands. In Doctrine and Covenants 42:11 we are taught that it is the leaders of the Church that have the authority to ordain someone to receive the priesthood.
2. Read Hebrews 5:7-8; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25-40 and the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 5:7-8, “Does the Phrase ‘Though He Were a Son’ Apply to Melchezidek, to Christ, or to Both?” (p. 384). Write the answers to the following questions:
o Why was Melchizedek considered a great high priest?
Melchizedek preceded Christ. He showed those of the Old Testament times what Christ’s life would be like.
o List a few of the miracles he performed according to Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25-40.
- Power to break mountains
- Divide the earth
- Break bands
- divide the seas/dry up waters
o What Old Testament prophet did Melchizedek bless?
Abram (Abraham)
o Read Doctrine and Covenants 107:2-4 and explain why we call the greater priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood.
The Melchizedek Priesthood is the Priesthood of Christ. It is unlike the Aaronic or Levite Priesthood because it is only obtained through ordination, not lineage. In D&C 107:3-4 we read that the true name of the Melchizedek Priesthood is the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God, but it maintained the name of Melchizedek to keep the reverence of Christ’s name.
3. Read Hebrews 6:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:
o What important doctrinal correction did Joseph Smith make in Hebrews 6:1? (See footnote a).
In the King James version of the Bible the verse says, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God," The Joseph Smith Translation only adds one word into the verse but that gives the verse a different meaning. "Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God," With that one simple translation correction made by Joseph Smith, the verse is now telling us that we should not leave the teachings of God.
o Why is it important that a person not leave behind faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost?
For members of the LDS Church, these four acts are the foundation of our religion. We all gain or grow our faith in Christ, we repent of our sins, are baptized where we make covenants, or promises with Heavenly Father to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end. After baptism, we are conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost through the act of laying on of hands by someone who holds the Holy Priesthood or the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is through the commitment of living these principles every day that we are comforted through our trials and are able to receive personal revelation throughout our lives.
4. Read Hebrews 6:4-6; Alma 24:30; Doctrine and Covenants 76:31-38 and the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 6:4-6, “What Must People Do in Order to ‘Crucify To Themselves the Son of God Afresh, and Put Him to an Open Shame’?” (p.385). According to Matthew 12:31, how serious is the sin described in Hebrews 6:4-6? Write what a person must do to become a son of perdition and what the eventual punishment will be.
Matthew 12:31 says, "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men who receive me and repent: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." (Italics Joseph Smith Translation). This verse plainly states what the others say. We cannot be given the light (or knowledge) from the Holy Ghost and then deliberately turn away from it. We cannot openly rebel against God without there being consequences. In D&C 76:31-38 we read what happens when we do intentionally rebel against God. We become a son (or daughter) of perdition or an angel of Satan. We must deny the Holy Ghost after being conferred the Gift. It is these who are not saved by the Atonement of Christ and they will not only die physically but spiritually as well meaning eternal life will not be granted to them.
5. What does Hebrews 7:1-6 teach you about the greatness of Melchizedek? List the ways that Melchizedek is similar to or a prototype of the Savior (refer to JST, Genesis 14:25-40 if needed). Read the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 7:3, “Was Melchizedek ‘Without Father, Without Mother, Without Descent’?” (p. 385). Identify in writing who Hebrews 7:3 is speaking of.
He was esteemed as a King of Peace in Jerusalem and especially esteemed of Abraham who gave him a tenth of everything. The Levites, who were the priests in Old Testament times even revered Melchizedek as the High Priest. Like Christ, Melchizedek was ordained by God to be a holder of the Holy Priesthood or otherwise known as the higher priesthood over that of Aaron or the Aaronic Priesthood in which the Levites held. In the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 14:26-27 we learn that he, Melchizedek, was a man of faith, who lived in righteousness and even performed miracles.
In Hebrews 7:3 the KJV of the Bible reads, "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." With the Joseph Smith translation it says, "For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God, which order was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." It is through the clarification of the Joseph Smith Translation that we understand that it is the "Priesthood of the Son of God" otherwise known as the Melchizedek Priesthood or the higher priesthood that is "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life..."
6. Read Hebrews 7:15-28. Describe in writing what Paul taught about the priesthood and about Jesus Christ.
They are both everlasting and eternal. It is through Christ and His Priesthood that we can become perfected and gain eternal life. The Melchizedek Priesthood is gained through and “oath” or we would probably say covenant in latter-day terms. We are held to those covenants or promises that when we receive the priesthood ordinances especially those received in the Temple.
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