The Aaronic Priesthood Is The Only Authority To Baptize That Christ Honors

The Presidents Of The Church Series: Joseph Smith

Joseph debunked a lie that many thought during his day. Many thought that the authority of the church was not set up until the day of Pentecost. The truth is Adam who was the first man on earth was given the authority of God. Adam had the authority to give it to his worthy posterity, and which he did so.

The power and authority of God terminated with of the apostasy because there was no worthy person to have it. Joseph Smith shattered that dark period when God the Father and Jesus Christ visited him. Not long after Joseph Smith received the Aaronic Priesthood and was approved by God to baptize.

John preached the gospel and the baptism for the remission of sins. He received his authority from God. John The Baptist bore the kingdom of God for a period of time.

Joseph Smith said, “The people need not wait for the days of Pentecost to find the kingdom of God, for John had it with him, and he came forth from the wilderness crying out, ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand’ [Mathew 3:2], as much as to say, ‘Out here I have got the kingdom of God and I am coming after you; I have got the kingdom of God, and you can get it, and I am coming after you; and if you don’t receive it, you will be damned; and the scriptures represent that all Jerusalem went out unto John’s baptism.”

John was the legal administrator. He held the Aaronic priesthood, which is the lesser priesthood. It is a preparatory priesthood to a higher priesthood of Melchizedek.

Baptism opens the door for you to be a King or a Queen in the Kingdom of God.

John was the legal administrator for baptizing, but he was not greater than Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had higher authority and a higher priesthood than John. Jesus could not baptize himself and He had to be obedient, so He sought John out for baptism.

The important take away message from this newsletter is that baptism must be done by proper authority.

The Lord said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

Chapel Address and contact information: 1928 E. South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City; (University of Utah, next to the institute) 801-562-8089. You can also call 801-259-6709 for the mission home in Midvale if you want to talk to someone.

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