Are Mormons Christians?

The Priesthood

By Douglas K. Hollen

When you begin speaking to a member, particularly a male member, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), it won’t be very long before you hear them make reference to “the priesthood.” They speak frequently of “the Melchizedek Priesthood,” and “the Aaronic Priesthood.” This month let’s take a few moments to understand what Mormons mean when they refer to the priesthood; and, more importantly, understand what God’s Word has to say about the role of priests and understand what that means to believers today.

To Mormons, the Melchizedek Priesthood is “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.” (Gospel Principles [GP], ©1997; p. 85). Those with the Melchizedek Priesthood have “the power and authority to lead the church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They are in charge of the spiritual work of the Church. They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over wards, branches, stakes, and missions; they heal the sick, bless babies, and give special blessings to Church members. The Lord’s chosen prophet, the President of the Church, is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek Priesthood” (GP, ©1997; p. 87). The lesser priesthood is the Aaronic Priesthood which gives those who hold it the authority “to administer the outward ordinances of repentance and baptism (GP, ©1997; p. 87). Within the organization of the “Priesthood,” there are many offices, each holding different levels of responsibility.

Mormons believe that the “priesthood” gives men the “authority to act in the name of God;” and that “if a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs.” (GP, ©1997; p. 81) In the most recent Ensign magazine, Elder William W. Parmley put it this way, “The priesthood is a priceless gift that blesses the lives of both men and women. Let us not underestimate its significance. It is the very power and authority to act for God and is one of the great blessings of the Restoration.”

With this brief background in tow, let’s take a moment to look at the establishment of priests in the Bible, the inerrant Word of God, and what significance it has for us today.

Shortly after the Children of Israel were led out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership, God met with Moses on Mount Sinai. God requested the presence of the recognized leadership of Israel (Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of the elders of Israel), but He asked for Moses to meet with Him alone. (Exodus 24:1-2) It was there on Mt. Sinai that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and carefully outlined the way in which His people were to worship Him. As we read through the rest of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, we see God’s very specific instruction for how His people were to approach the Almighty. The priests in the Old Testament played a very important role as intermediaries between the people of Israel and God Himself. It was the priests who offered the people’s sacrifices on the altar. Once a year, it was the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement and placed the blood (from a young bullock to atone for his own sins; and from a male goat to atone for the sins of the people) on the Mercy Seat to cover over the sins of the people.

The people worshipped in this manner and under this sacrificial system of The Law, or The Old Testament (Old Covenant) until the establishment of the New Testament (New Covenant) in Christ Jesus. In Romans 3:24-31 Paul clearly outlines that Christ Jesus satisfied the requirements of the law and that we now live under the law of faith: “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [mercy seat] through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded, By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish [fulfill] the law.” (italicized brackets mine)

Under this new law of faith, the necessity of priests has been eliminated. We no longer need a priest to be our intermediary, but only Jesus Christ Himself. I Timothy 2:5 says: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. We have been given access into God’s presence through the blood of Jesus Christ and we can come into His presence in Jesus’ name alone.

The book of Hebrews dedicates much of its time to methodically contrasting The Old Testament Law (the old covenant) with the New Testament (the new covenant) we have in Christ Jesus. It speaks of how Christ is superior to angels, Christ is superior to Moses, Christ is superior to priests appointed by man. Hebrews 8:6,7 – “But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.”

So why is all of this important?

Our access to God has not been built on an elaborate system of priesthoods, culminating in a prophet who receives direct revelation from God. Our access to God has been bought and paid for through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. And, we can go directly into His throne room through prayer in the name of Jesus, our one and only mediator. Even more importantly, we can receive God’s complete revelation through the study of His Holy Word, the Bible. Revelation 22:18-19 says: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

In conclusion, who is your High Priest?

Witnessing Point: Allow your Mormon friends to explain what the priesthood is, then simply take them to Hebrews 8 and introduce them to your High Priest, Jesus Christ the Lord (I Timothy 2:5 – your one and only mediator between God and men).

Douglas K. Hollen is a financial consultant and is attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. God is in the process of using Doug’s investment planning business to support and underwrite his “eternity planning” business – serving our Lord…building His kingdom…taking the gospel of Christ to the front lines. He is available to speak at your church or small Bible study group about the dangers of Mormonism. Please contact him at (314) 691-5418 for scheduling.