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ED - I was wondering- if Jesus restored the priesthood- where did he obtain it? Was he ordained by the laying on of hands? Please site source.
JOEL -
The priesthood is what gives us the authority to represent Jesus Christ as we perform ordinances and administer the affairs of His Church on earth.
In Hebrews we read:
"And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." (Heb 5:4-6, Heb 5:9-10)
According to Joseph Smith, before the world was created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father to implement God's program for the eternal happiness of all God's children (cf. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 190)
So it appears from this and the Hebrews scripture, that Jesus received His priesthood authority from God the Father, which, according to Joseph Smith has "existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years,…holding the keys of power and blessings." (TPJS, pp. 157, 322)
For us, Christ Himself is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth, having received it from His Father.
I don't know if He received it by the laying on of hands, since Jesus obtained this power while still a spirit. Laying on of hands is an action that appears to be reserved for those with physical bodies when bestowing priesthood to others and performing ordinances. That is why Peter, James, and John, and John the Baptist had to appear to Joseph Smith as resurrected beings so they could physically lay their hands on Joseph's head and give him the Priesthood(D&C 13).
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