The Book of Melchisedec I

The Holy Order Restored

1And 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.

2And these elders were men who had humbled themselves in repentance and who desired to walk continually in the covenant of God.

3And 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.

4And he began to teach them concerning the ancient priesthood which had been preserved in the sacred writings of the fathers.

5And he said unto them:

6This 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.

7But it is the Holy Order of God, which was established from the beginning and prepared before the foundation of the world.

8For 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.

9And these were called and prepared from the foundation of the world because of their exceeding faith and their good works.

10For the Lord, knowing the hearts of His children, foreordained those who would choose righteousness when they should come into the world.

11And these were called to be high priests of the Holy Order, that they might teach the commandments of God unto the children of men.

12That the people might know how to return again into the presence of the Most High.

13And this priesthood was first given unto Adam in the beginning.

14And it was passed down through the righteous patriarchs who followed after him.

15And it was held by Abel, whose sacrifice was pleasing unto God.

16And afterward by Enoch, who established a city of righteousness among his people.

17And by Noah, who preserved the covenant through the destruction of the flood.

18And by all the Patriarchs, who held the priesthood authority upon the earth in the generations that followed.

19And Melchisedec said unto the elders:

20This Holy Order remaineth upon the earth that the children of men might be taught the path of repentance and righteousness.

21For the purpose of this priesthood is not to exalt men above their brethren.

22Neither is it given that men might exercise dominion one over another.

23But it is given that the servants of God might lead His children back into His presence.

24For this priesthood is after the order of the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

25Even the same Son who was chosen before the foundation of the world to redeem mankind.

26And the authority of this order is derived from Him.

27Therefore it is called the priesthood after the order of the Son of God.

28And those who receive this priesthood enter into a covenant with the Lord.

29That they will remember the commandments of God.

30That they will teach righteousness among the children of men.

31And that they will labor continually to bring souls unto repentance.

32And Melchisedec looked upon the elders and said:

33Ye have been chosen because your hearts were softened when the word of the Lord was spoken among this people.

34And because ye have humbled yourselves and repented of your sins.

35Therefore if ye remain faithful the Lord will ordain you unto this Holy Order.

36That ye may stand as witnesses of God among this people.

37And defend the innocent and administer justice and equity in righteousness.

38And teach the covenant continually unto the inhabitants of Zion.

39And it came to pass that Melchisedec laid his hands upon those whom the Lord had chosen.

40And he ordained them according to the authority of the Holy Order which he held.

41And they were set apart as high priests of God.

42That they might minister unto the people and preserve the covenant of Zion.

43And these high priests went forth among the inhabitants of Salem teaching the commandments of the Lord.

44And they reminded the people continually of the covenant of consecration which they had made.

45And they encouraged the humble and strengthened the weak.

46And they sought revelation continually from the Most High concerning the welfare of the city.

47And the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them.

48And the people prospered in righteousness.

49And the fame of Salem spread among many nations.

50And travelers came from distant lands to behold the peace which existed among that people.

51And they marveled greatly and said one unto another:

52Surely this nation is governed by the wisdom of heaven.

53For the priesthood and power of God is among them.

54And the covenant of Zion is established in their midst.