When a man who’s been ordained fails to gain God’s approval,
he is much like king Noah. He is a
man who has been “ordained” or “called,” but elects not to become “chosen” by
being true and faithful. Noah
sought to rule and reign over others by “virtue of the priesthood” (D&C 121:41). He assumed “power and influence” by
virtue of the priesthood (ibid.).
God alone controls the conferral of power. That power has never been entrusted to
any organization, but its receipt has always been predicated upon righteousness
and inseparably connected to the heavens (D&C 121:36). Said another way, power is directly
tied to heaven and to righteousness, and cannot be conferred by men.
Joseph Smith taught us this when he said:
“Behold there are many
called, but few are chosen…
“The rights of the
priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the
powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of
righteousness.” (D&C 121:34, 36).
Offices in the Church are,
however, conferred from one man to another. Those holding offices in the Church derive authority to
preside and conduct affairs by “common consent” and by the “vote of that
Church.”
God’s power does not come in this manner. God may choose to give his power to any
man He will. God’s conferral of
power requires neither “common consent,” nor does it require the “vote” of
men. God controls the bestowal of
His power. It cannot be
“controlled nor handled” by men (ibid.).
So, for the Alma 13 doctrines it would be wise for us to put
aside what we think we understand about “the Holy Priesthood,” and allow Alma,
a High Priest, to teach us about the matter. We will draw nearer to God by this approach than we will by trying
to see this matter through the lens of our present misunderstandings.
The whole chapter could be studied verse by verse. Ask yourself questions about the text
that you’re not used to asking. Look
for an answer that makes sense, and that the Spirit will verify. We will look at only a few of the
statements here.
“The Lord God ordained
priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son.” (Alma
13:1).
Who is meant by “the Lord God?” Did he really “ordain priests,” or is this to be taken
figuratively? What did Joseph
Smith teach about God ordaining the prophets (TPJS)?
What is “his holy order?” Is this the Church? Does it belong to the Church? Does it belong to this earth? What is the “order of his Son?”
“They were ordained…on
account of their exceeding faith and good works” (Alma 13:3)
What is “exceeding faith?” Is this different than “faith?” Is exceeding faith required of men who are ordained in the
Church?
“And thus being called
by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order
of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also
might enter into his rest” (Alma 13:6).
Here’s mention of the “holy order of God” again. What does it say is the purpose of the
teaching of those called with this “holy calling?” Is it to help other men and women “also” enter the Lord’s
“rest?” Why “also?” What is the Lord’s rest? Have those who are called to this holy
order necessarily entered into the Lord’s rest? What did it mean when Moses attempted to get Israel to enter
the Lord’s rest (D&C 84)? Was
he called by “this holy calling?”
What about Joseph Smith?
“Thus they become high
priests forever” (Alma 13:9).
Is it significant that this ordination and high office is
“forever?” Are there others that
are not forever?
“Therefore they were
called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were
washed white through the blood of the Lamb” (Alma 13:11).
How does one become “sanctified?” What does that mean?
Can you become this kind of a high priest without being sanctified? What does it mean to have your garments
“washed white?”
These are only a few of the verses, and a few of the
questions that could be asked. The
entire chapter should be considered.
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