The Book of Melchisedec I

Abram Learns the Mysteries of the Holy Order

2And Melchisedec, perceiving by the Spirit which rested upon him that Abram was a man of exceeding faith and righteousness, invited him to dwell among the people of Salem for a time, that he might behold their ways and understand the covenant by which they governed themselves before the Lord.

3And Abram entered into the city and marveled exceedingly, for he saw that the people dealt justly one with another, and that no man sought to exalt himself above his neighbor, and that the rich did not despise the poor, neither did the poor envy the rich, for every man administered that which had been entrusted unto him as a stewardship from God.

4And Abram said unto Melchisedec: Behold, my lord, I have traveled through many lands and kingdoms, and I have seen the pride of kings and the cruelty of armies; yet never have I seen a people who dwell together in such peace as this nation.

5And Melchisedec answered him saying: This peace which thou beholdest is not the peace of men, neither is it the peace which is obtained by the sword or by the power of rulers.

6But it is the peace which cometh from the Holy Order of God, even the priesthood which was established from the beginning, after the order of His Son.

7And Abram said unto him: I have heard of this order from the records of the fathers, but the fullness of it hath not been revealed unto me.

8Therefore I pray thee, teach me concerning this order, that I may know the ways of God more perfectly.

9And Melchisedec led Abram into the sanctuary of Salem, where the high priests assembled together, and where the records of the fathers were preserved.

10And when they had entered the sanctuary Melchisedec spoke unto Abram saying:

11The Holy Order of God is not an order which men establish among themselves.

12Neither doth it come by inheritance of kings nor by the authority of princes.

13But it is conferred upon those whom the Lord foreordained before the foundations of the world.

14For the Lord, who knoweth the hearts of all men, chose certain souls in the beginning because of their exceeding faith and their good works.

15And these were called and prepared from the foundation of the world that they might be ministers of righteousness among the children of men.

16And Melchisedec looked upon Abram and said:

17Thou also wast among those who were chosen in the beginning.

18For before thou didst come into the world thou wast known among the noble and great ones.

19And thou wast chosen because of thy faithfulness before the throne of God.

20Therefore the Lord hath preserved thee through many trials and hath brought thee unto this place.

21And Abram was filled with humility when he heard these words.

22And he bowed himself before the Lord and said:

23O Jehovah, God of heaven and earth, I am but a servant before thee; nevertheless I desire to know thy ways and to walk before thee in righteousness.

24And Melchisedec placed his hands upon Abram and blessed him according to the authority of the Holy Order.

25And he said:

26Abram, thou art a son of the covenant.

27Walk uprightly before Jehovah, and remember always the calling which thou receivedst before thou didst come into the world.

28For thou shalt become a father of many nations.

29And thy seed shall carry the covenant of God among the children of men.

30And Abram covenanted before the Lord that he would walk in righteousness and remember the teachings of the Holy Order all the days of his life.

31And thus Abram began to understand the mysteries of the priesthood which Melchisedec held.