Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Section Six (1843-1844) | The Priesthood

1President Smith read the 7th Chap. Hebrews and said: Salem is designed for a Hebrew term. It should be Shiloam, which signifies righteousness and peace; as it is, it is nothing--neither Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, nor any other language. I say to all those who are disposed to set up stakes for the Almighty, You will come short of the glory of God.

2To become a joint heir of the heirship of the Son, one must put away all his false traditions. * * * If I have sinned, I have sinned outwardly; but surely I have contemplated the things of God. Respecting the Melchizedek Priesthood, the sectarians never professed to have it; consequently they never could save any one, and would all be damned together.

3There was an Episcopal priest who said he had the priesthood of Aaron, but had not the priesthood of Melchizedek: and I bear testimony that I never have found the man who claimed the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The power of the Melchizedek Priesthood is to have the power of "endless lives"; for the everlasting covenant cannot be broken. The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out judgments and destructions. * * *