JOEL - The priesthood is what gives us the authority to
represent Jesus Christ as we perform ordinances and
administer the affairs of His Church on earth.
In Hebrews we read:
"And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he
that is called of God, as was Aaron.
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an
high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my
Son, to day have I begotten thee.
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest
for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
And being made perfect, he became the author of
eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Called of God an high priest after the order of
Melchisedec." (Heb 5:4-6, 9-10)
According to Joseph Smith, before the world was
created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn
of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to
use the power he had obtained from the Father to
implement God's program for the eternal happiness of
all God's children (cf. Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, p. 190)
So it appears from this and the Hebrews scripture,
that Jesus received His priesthood authority from God
the Father, which, according to Joseph Smith has
"existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity,
without beginning of days or end of years,…holding the
keys of power and blessings." (TPJS, pp. 157, 322)
For us, Christ Himself is therefore the source of all
true priesthood authority and power on this earth,
having received it from His Father.
I doubt He received it by the laying on of hands,
since Jesus obtained this power while still a spirit.
Laying on of hands is an action reserved for those
with physical bodies when bestowing priesthood to
others and performing ordinances. That is why Peter,
James, and John, and John the Baptist had to appear to
Joseph Smith as resurrected beings so they could physically lay their hands on Joseph's head and give him the Priesthood(D&C 13).
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