After the Order of the Son of God

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn this about the origin of the name of the Melchizedek Priesthood: “Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood” (107:2-4). This is a reminder to us that as we hear the name Melchizedek we should be drawn to think of the Savior—it is His priesthood and those who receive it have the responsibility to act in His name. Alma also made this connection when he taught the people of Ammonihah: “The Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people. And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.” Those who receive the Melchizedek Priesthood are to help the people turn to the Savior. They are ordained after the order of the Son of God so that they can invite others to come unto the Son of God and receive His redemption. Those who obtain this priesthood must do so through repentance and righteousness, having “their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.” With that preparation, they can then help others become “pure and [enter] into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:1-2, 11-12).

               In addition to remembering that it is after the order of the Son of God when we think about the Melchizedek Priesthood, it is also important to consider the life of Melchizedek and seek to follow his example as well. The above verse in the Doctrine and Covenants suggests that he was “such a great high priest,” and we indeed see that in the few details we know about his life. I love this scriptural description of him: “Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch.” He was a man of faith, so much so that he miraculously stopped lions and put out fires in his youth. His name means “king of righteousness” and he was both. As a king he “established righteousness” in Salem and was called “the King of peace” because of the peace he brought to his people (JST Genesis 14:26-27, 36). He did “did preach repentance unto his people” and the people indeed did repent because of him. So great was his reign as a king that we have this description of him: “Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater” (Alma 13:18-19). As we remember him, we should be reminded that he had great faith, preached repentance, lived righteously, and brought peace to His people. All those who receive the priesthood called by his name should seek to do the same, showing forth faith in the Savior, leading people to repentance, living righteously, and helping bring peace in all things that they do. Perhaps then can a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood learn to obtain these incredible blessings that are promised: “The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:18-19).