The Book of Melchisedec I

Chapter 2

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And in that day the child Melchisedec grew in the city of Salem in the house of his father, who was king over the people of that land.

And his father was a just man in many things, yet he ruled over a people whose hearts were divided.

For some among the people desired righteousness and remembered the covenant of the fathers.

And others loved power and wealth, and they listened unto the priests who taught the traditions of men.

And the palace of the king stood upon a hill overlooking the city, and from its towers one could see the markets and the gates and the fields beyond the walls.

And Melchisedec often walked among the people of the city.

And he observed the merchants who traded in the markets, and the judges who sat in the courts, and the laborers who worked in the streets.

And he saw that some prospered exceedingly while others labored continually and had little.

And these things troubled his heart.

And he went often unto the keepers of the ancient records who dwelt near the sanctuary of the Most High.

And these elders taught him the histories of the fathers.

And they spoke unto him of Adam who walked with God.

And of Abel whose righteousness pleased the Lord.

And of Enoch who established a city of holiness.

And of Noah who preserved the covenant through the flood.

And of the patriarchs whose priesthood authority remained upon the earth.

And Melchisedec listened diligently unto these teachings.

And his heart burned within him as he heard the words of the covenant.

And he began to understand that the city of Salem had once been founded upon those same principles.

But that the people had departed from them.

And as he grew in wisdom the people began to take notice of him.

For he spoke with clarity and wisdom beyond his years.

And he judged matters among the youth with fairness.

And the poor who came unto the palace seeking justice often found that the young prince would hear their pe::ons.

And his father marveled at the compassion of his son.

Nevertheless the divisions within the city continued to increase.

And certain priests who desired power feared the influence of the young prince.

For they perceived that his teachings might weaken their authority among the people.

Yet Melchisedec sought not power but understanding.

And he often withdrew from the noise of the city and went into the hills and mountains that surrounded the valley.

And there he pondered the covenant of the Most High.

And he prayed continually that the Lord would show him how the people might return unto righteousness.