The Aaronic Priesthood is Restored

Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 13. It's hard to believe that one of the most significant events of all time only warrants 1 single verse in the scriptures. Without the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, the work would have ground to a halt until the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored some time later.

This revelation was received in response to an inquiry into baptism and the proper mode and order of baptism. Joseph and Oliver wanted to know should they be baptized and how should they do it and John the Baptist in his resurrected form appeared unto them and gave them the Aaronic Priesthood and commanded that they baptize one another.

One could argue that since the Melchizedek Priesthood has all the authority to perform the same ordinances that the Aaronic Priesthood does, why didn't Joseph and Oliver just receive the Melchizedek Priesthood from the start. Well, it is probably the same reason that young men are not given the Melchizedek Priesthood right from the get go in this day and age too.

The Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood and is meant to prepare young men for the responsibility of holding the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Oath and Covenant that they take upon themselves when they receive it. For those of you who do not understand the Priesthood or what it entails, the Priesthood is the authority to act in God's name here upon the earth. You cannot use it to help yourself, it's sole purpose is to bless the lives of others. There is not a single thing you can use the Priesthood for yourself. All ordinances that the Priesthood can be used to perform are meant for others.

The Aaronic Priesthood is of course used for the predominantly mortal ordinances, such as the sacrament and baptism and home teaching. While the Melchizedek Priesthood is chiefly used for the ordinances performed in the temple. There are of course other things that can be done with both priesthoods, but we will not go into it here.

Although this section is only 1 verse long, it does outline how the Priesthood is conferred upon others, by the laying on of hands and the verbiage typically used. Although some things that are contained here are usually left out when giving the Priesthood to someone new. We will of course talk much, much more about the Priesthood in later sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. I am kind of envious of Joseph Smith, he got to meet so many neat people before he passed on to the next life. Ah well, to each is given special gifts I suppose. Until tomorrow.