The Book of Melchisedec I

Chapter 8

Premium narration

And thus, Zion had been established among the people of Salem and the hearts of the inhabitants had been knit together in righteousness, Melchisedec gathered together the elders of the city who were faithful before the Lord.

And these elders were men who had humbled themselves in repentance and who desired to walk continually in the covenant of God.

And Melchisedec assembled them within the sanctuary of the Most High, where the records of the fathers were preserved and where the Spirit of the Lord rested upon the people.

And he began to teach them concerning the ancient priesthood which had been preserved in the sacred writings of the fathers.

And he said unto them:

This order of which I speak is not the invention of men, neither did it arise from the authority of kings nor from the wisdom of rulers.

But it is the Holy Order of God, which was established from the beginning and prepared before the foundation of the world.

For before this earth was formed and before the children of men entered into mortality, the Lord ordained certain souls to bear this priesthood among the nations.

And these were called and prepared from the foundation of the world because of their exceeding faith and their good works.

For the Lord, knowing the hearts of His children, foreordained those who would choose righteousness when they should come into the world.

And these were called to be high priests of the Holy Order, that they might teach the commandments of God unto the children of men.

That the people might know how to return again into the presence of the Most High.

And this priesthood was first given unto Adam in the beginning.

And it was passed down through the righteous patriarchs who followed after him.

And it was held by Abel, whose sacrifice was pleasing unto God.

And afterward by Enoch, who established a city of righteousness among his people.

And by Noah, who preserved the covenant through the destruction of the flood.

And by all the Patriarchs, who held the priesthood authority upon the earth in the generations that followed.

And Melchisedec said unto the elders:

This Holy Order remaineth upon the earth that the children of men might be taught the path of repentance and righteousness.

For the purpose of this priesthood is not to exalt men above their brethren.

Neither is it given that men might exercise dominion one over another.

But it is given that the servants of God might lead His children back into His presence.

For this priesthood is after the order of the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

Even the same Son who was chosen before the foundation of the world to redeem mankind.

And the authority of this order is derived from Him.

Therefore it is called the priesthood after the order of the Son of God.

And those who receive this priesthood enter into a covenant with the Lord.

That they will remember the commandments of God.

That they will teach righteousness among the children of men.

And that they will labor continually to bring souls unto repentance.

And Melchisedec looked upon the elders and said:

Ye have been chosen because your hearts were softened when the word of the Lord was spoken among this people.

And because ye have humbled yourselves and repented of your sins.

Therefore if ye remain faithful the Lord will ordain you unto this Holy Order.

That ye may stand as witnesses of God among this people.

And defend the innocent and administer justice and equity in righteousness.

And teach the covenant continually unto the inhabitants of Zion.

And it came to pass that Melchisedec laid his hands upon those whom the Lord had chosen.

And he ordained them according to the authority of the Holy Order which he held.

And they were set apart as high priests of God.

That they might minister unto the people and preserve the covenant of Zion.

And these high priests went forth among the inhabitants of Salem teaching the commandments of the Lord.

And they reminded the people continually of the covenant of consecration which they had made.

And they encouraged the humble and strengthened the weak.

And they sought revelation continually from the Most High concerning the welfare of the city.

And the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them.

And the people prospered in righteousness.

And the fame of Salem spread among many nations.

And travelers came from distant lands to behold the peace which existed among that people.

And they marveled greatly and said one unto another:

Surely this nation is governed by the wisdom of heaven.

For the priesthood and power of God is among them.

And the covenant of Zion is established in their midst.