Mormonism and priesthood/Restoration/Aaronic/Hebrews 7

This page is based on an answer to a question submitted to the FAIR web site, or a frequently asked question.

Question

Hebrews 7 states that the Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood was "changed" to the unique priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" held by Jesus Christ. Why then do Mormons still use the Aaronic Priesthood?

Answer

You are correct in saying that the Melchizedek Priesthood replaced the Aaronic Priesthood. But that doesn't necessarily imply that there is no Aaronic Priesthood. As other Christians see it, the Aaronic Priesthood is like a small glass of water being taken off the table and being replaced by a fruit juice (the Melchizedek Priesthood). They are distinguished from each other as quite seperate things.

LDS would use a different metaphore to explain things — one which better reflects the concept as I think you will find before the end of my response. LDS view it as if the Aaronic Priesthood is a glass of water that is filled only part way. Instead of being replaced by an entirely different drink, more water is poured into it until it is a full glass (the Melchizedek Priesthood). The two priesthoods are really the same substance. Not a very illogical assumption when one thinks about it. Where do they originate from? The same source — God. What is the purpose of the two priesthoods? They bring us to the Lord (note that only the Melchizedek Priesthood can do so entirely as shown in Hebrews 7:11, but the Aaronic Priesthood was instrumental in keeping ancient Israel holy and pure). The Aaronic Priesthood is merely a limited form of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Let me replace metaphores with actual teachings on the topic by a latter-day apostle — Elder Ballard:

Since all priesthood is Melchizedek, the Aaronic Priesthood being a portion of it, one does not lose the Aaronic Priesthood when he is ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood [...] ^[1]

So why would the Church use the Aaronic Priesthood today? Very simply answered by another name it is given: the Preparatory Priesthood. As you probably noticed, the Aaronic Priesthood has a different structure to it than it did in ancient Israel. The structure it had then was perfect for its purpose. Levites — who performed the ordinances, and a High Priest — who officiated over the Levites and performed one additional ordinance once a year.

Today it is composed of Deacons, Teachers, and Priests. Each one in sequential order is trusted with more responsibility as they progress and mature until they are ready to receive the priesthood in full, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. And yet, the Aaronic Priesthood is not all that different now as it was in ancient times.

What two ordinances does the Aaronic Priesthood perform? First is baptism. This is quite easily grounded in scripture as John the Baptist held the Aaronic Priesthood. His father, after all, was the High Priest. And baptism is of course a fundamental part of salvation through Christ (see Acts 2:38). The second is sacrifice. Now of course we do not sacrifice animals anymore because Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for us, giving us the last great sacrifice (see Ephesians 5:2). And the way that we rejoice in His sacrifice for us, and remember it, is by partaking of the sacrament (communion — see Matthew 26:26-29).

And by having Aaronic Priesthood holders today brake, bless, and pass the sacrament, they are officiating in an ordinance which allows everone to partake of the blessings of Christ's sacrifice (effectively the same thing that was done in ancient Israel).

Endnotes

1. [note]  Compilation. Priesthood. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1981). p. 72