Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-16

Of the Gospel; one more step was neces-
sary for them, the most important yet,
viz. the obtaining the Priesthood Of
Melchlsedek. which John the Baptist
told them should IN due time be con-
ferred upon them, before they could 80
10 and organize the Church OF Jesus
Christ according to the pattern laid
down In the New Testament The
Priesthood they were endowed with,
however, authorized them TO preach
repentance. baptize people for the re-
mission Of their sins, teach them words
Of life out Of the word Of God. But how
could those who believed. had repented
OF their sins, and had been baptized,
how could they receive the Holy GhOst2
How could they be brought into the one
ness OF faith. unless they had apostles
and prophets, evang sllsts pastors and
teachers. for the perfecting Of the
Saints. for the work OF the ministry
for the edlfying OF the body OF Christ,
tin all come In the unity Of the faith
and OF the knowledge Of the Son OF
God unto a perfect man, unto the mea-
sure OF the stature OF the fullness OF
Christ; that they henceforth be no more
children?
All this would be impossible unless
the fullness Of the Priesthood was OBJ
tanned even the apostleship, which
holds the keys OF the Kingdom Of God.
THE power and authority OF the high
er or Melchisedek Priesthood. Is TO hold
the keys OF all the spiritual blessings
Of the Church To have the privilege
Of receiving the mysteries OF the King
dom Of heaven-t0 have the heavens
opened unto them-to commune with
the general assembly and church Of the
first born. and 10 enjoy the COM
munion and presence of God the Fa-
Their. and Jesus the Mediator OF the
New Covenant" Again IAN Apostle Is
en- Elder, and II is his calling to bap-
tie, and 10 ordain other Elders Priests.
Teachers and DeacOns, and 20 admlnis-
ter bread and wine-the emblems OF the
flesh and blood OF Christ--and 10 con-
firm those who are baptized into the
Church. by the laying on OF hands for
the baptism OF FIRE and the Holy
Ghost. according 20 the Scriptures, and
to teach. expound, exhort. baptize and
watch over the Church. and 70 CONFIRM
the Church by the laying on OF the
hands and the giving Of the Holy Ghost,
and 10 take the lead OF all meetings
There various duties. Just enumerat-
ed. although common In our days. are Of
the utmost Importance. They were new
to Joseph and his associates. except as
they had read OF them, and some per-
haps seen them attended 20 In the var
ious organizations that they formerly
belonged to: but now instead Of void
forms (fOr those who had claimed such
powers and authority. denied the power
OF Godllness). the baptized Saints re-
ceiyed the Holy Ghost under the hands
OF Joseph and Oliver who In the mean
time had been ordained by Peter, James
and John. the ancient Apostles, as the
first Elders and Apostles In the Church
OF Jesus Christ; now the Saints prophe-
sled. spok e in tongues enjoyed the gifts
OF the Spirit. OF which thtey had read
so much and seen so little. And those
gifts have remained with the Church
and are enjoyed today as We'll as in the
days Of Paul.
For some unexplained reason, Joseph
| the Prophet. has not left on record the
date OF their ordination to the Apostle
/ ship. and hence, In their blind ignor-
/ ance. some Of his detractors deny that
he ever was ordained an Apostle. For
tunately we need not rely upon the
word OF any man, for the Lord Himself
has spoken most plainly on this subject
| In Section q Of the Doctrine and Cove
nants verse ~, we read:
Peter, and James, and John. whom