It was 177 years ago, on May 15, 1829, that John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Within a month, Peter, James and John conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood upon Joseph and Oliver, including the priesthood keys of presidency (see Doctrine and Covenants 27:12-13).
The priesthood is "the rule and government of God . . . the only legitimate power, the only authority that is acknowledged by Him" (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 1:224, April 8, 1853).
"It is by that power, agency, or principle that all things are governed on the earth and in the heavens. . . . It governs all things — it directs all things — it sustains all things — and has to do with all things that God and truth are associated with" (John Taylor, Millennial Star, November 1847, p. 321).
Brigham Young said that the priesthood is the "law by which the worlds are, were, and will continue for ever and ever" (Journal of Discourses 15:127, Aug. 22, 1872).
The Aaronic Priesthood is referred to as the "lesser" priesthood when compared to the "higher" Melchizedek Priesthood. Yet it "holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel; which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins." Furthermore, the promise was given that it "shall never be taken again from the earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:26-27).
The Melchizedek Priesthood was first given to Adam, and the patriarchs and prophets in every dispensation had this authority. When the children of Israel failed to live up to the privileges and covenants of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Lord took away the higher law and gave them a lesser priesthood and a lesser law — the Aaronic Priesthood or the Priesthood of Aaron — and the law of Moses.
During His mortal ministry, Jesus restored the Melchizedek Priesthood and began to build up the Church among His disciples. After His mortal ministry and that of His apostles ended, the higher priesthood keys were lost again by apostasy and were not upon the earth until it was restored in the spring of 1829. (John 15:16; see Bible Dictionary, King James Bible, LDS edition, 1978, pp. 730-731.)
Oliver Cowdery wrote a poetic description of the visit of John the Baptist:
"I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart, nor the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion; but you will believe me when I say, that earth, nor men, with the eloquence of time, cannot begin to clothe language in as interesting and sublime a manner as this holy personage" (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History, footnote after verse 71).
In his address to priesthood brethren during the recent April general conference, President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of the visitation of John the Baptist to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, and of the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of Peter, James and John. Then President Monson said:
"These apostles sent by the Lord ordained and confirmed Joseph and Oliver to be Apostles and special witnesses of His name. Divine authority by direct revelation characterized this sacred visitation.
"As a result of these experiences, all of us carry the requirement — even the blessed opportunity and solemn duty — to be true to the trust we have received."
Further, President Monson declared: "The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others."
As we commemorate the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, may we be mindful of the blessings the Lord has returned to the mortal realm.
