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Dear
Gramps, Is there anywhere I can read about the restoration of the
Melchizedek Priesthood? It is my understanding that it occurred 5-30-1829.
When Joseph and Oliver were released or escaped from prison, and some mob
was chasing after them they were exhausted, and Oliver being weaker,
collapsed. Joseph tried to carry him until he couldn’t go any further and
fell down carrying Oliver. That is when the devil appeared as an angel of
light and tried to destroy them. Then Peter, James and John appeared to
dispense the adversary by priesthood power. This is when they ordained them
and showed them how to dismiss Satan. Do you know of any material to read?
Thanks. Rog, California |
Dear
Rog,
No,
I’m afraid that I don’t know of any material to read on what you have
written above. But perhaps you have some material that I could read. I have
never heard of the details that you bring up relating to the appearance of
Peter, James and John. Where did you get that material?
We
learn from Joseph Smith—History 1:72 that Joseph and Oliver revived the
Aaronic Priesthood on May 15, 1829 by John the Baptist, who told them that he
was acting under the direction of Peter, James and John, and they would soon
confer the Melchezek Priesthood upon Joseph and Oliver. That the exact date of
this ordination is not known is shown by the words of President Joseph F.
Smith--
“This
most sacred and important event, above quoted, [the restoration of the Aaronic
Priesthood] occurred at or near a place called Harmony, in Susquehanna county,
Pennsylvania, while Joseph Smith was living there, engaged in the translation of
the Book of Mormon, and Oliver Cowdery was writing for him. We have not,
unfortunately, any account so definite, of the reception by Joseph and Oliver,
of the Melchizedek Priesthood as we have the confirmation of the Aaronic
Priesthood. But we have positive information and knowledge that they did receive
this Priesthood at the hands of Peter, James and John, to whom the keys and
power thereof were committed by the Lord Jesus Christ, and who were commissioned
to restore it to the earth in the dispensation of the fullness of times. We
cannot fix the exact date when this Priesthood was restored, but it occurred
some time between the 15th of May 1829, and the 6th of April, 1830. We can
approximate to within a few months of the exact time, but no further, from any
of the records of the Church. Joseph, the Prophet, designates the place where
their ordination took place, in his address to the Saints (Sec. 128:20) written
in 1842, as follows:
"Again
what do we hear? * * * The voice of Peter, James, and John, in the wilderness
between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the
Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom of
the dispensation of the fullness of times” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine,
p.193-94).
Gramps