Melchizedek—Model of a Zionlike Priesthood Holder
May 13th, 2009 by larrybarkdull
(Note: This article has been adapted from a soon-to-be-released, 5-book doctrinal series, called, The Three Pillars of Zion.)
Why was the man, Melchizedek, chosen to be a model of a Zionlike priesthood holder? A brief review of his life and example provide answers. Because we assume the name Melchizedek when we are ordained to the high priesthood, we are expected to likewise assume the works of Melchizedek. If we do, we might expect to achieve similar results.
In Hebrew, the name Melchizedek is also a coronation title that means King of Righteousness. The identity of the man who originally bore this title is of some conjecture. What we do know about the man Melchizedek is of importance to every man who desires to become a Zion person and thus takes upon himself the high priesthood.
Melchizedek “represents the scriptural ideal of one who obtains the power of God through faith, repentance, and sacred ordinances, for the purpose of inspiring and blessing his fellow beings.” Because the man Melchizedek was so righteous and faithful “in the execution of his high priestly duties…he became a prototype of Jesus Christ (Heb. 7:15).”
We men who receive the high priesthood by ordination assume the title of Melchizedek. Now becoming part of that order, we are expected to do the works of Melchizedek and of Jesus Christ, the two great exemplars of what a priesthood holder should be. We are to become kings of righteousness to our posterity.
Melchizedek is the Model for Our Priesthood Service
We see an example of what we should become in Melchizedek’s life. Additionally, his ministry is a model that we should apply to our priesthood service. In the first place, because the New and Everlasting Covenant is common to all of God’s sons and daughters, Melchizedek would have received that Covenant by baptism and thereafter followed all the steps, making each additional covenant and receiving every ordinance, and endured in faith until her received the promise of individual salvation. Then, desiring to progress in the Covenant by becoming a savior on Mount Zion to his people, he would have sought for his ordination to the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God so that he might administer the blessings of the Covenant to help save his people.
The scripture reads:
Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness; but Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people.
Like Enoch, Melchizedek was enormously successful, and taught his people the principles of Zion until they, too, became Zion people:
And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
From this account, we learn that “Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness…. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch [they became Zion people and were likewise translated].”
This is our priesthood model as holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Melchizedek Followed the Pathway of Righteousness
Again, we emphasize the fact that Melchizedek would have progressed in the New and Everlasting Covenant as we all must do: by baptism, by receiving the high priesthood with an oath and covenant, and by receiving all temple blessings culminating with eternal marriage, which is the patriarchal order of the priesthood, the highest order of the priesthood. We know that Melchizedek progressed in this manner because he is described as being both a king and a priest unto God, meaning that he received a fullness of the priesthood. The titles king and priest and their associated blessings are only possible by receiving the fullness of temple ordinances. This is the fullness that defines Zion people.
Melchizedek Achieved Power in the Priesthood
“What was the power of Melchizedek?” asked the Prophet Joseph Smith. “Those holding the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that Priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.”
Zion marriages, families and priesthood societies function under the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is the “perfect law of theocracy.” Through Melchizedek’s righteousness and faith, he received the keys of power and blessings, ruled as a king of righteousness, administered endless lives (the covenants and ordinances of eternal life) to his people, and brought them back into the presence of God. This is the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood and the purpose and expectation of our ordination. Everything about the priesthood points to establishing Zion in a life, a marriage, a family, and in a priesthood society.
Melchizedek as a Priesthood Mentor and Servant
Because Melchizedek was an authorized servant of the Lord, he had the keys to ordain Abraham to the high priesthood. Moreover, Melchizedek administered to Abraham the New and Everlasting Covenant, tutored him in the doctrine of the priesthood, and of great importance, gave him authority to affect the ordinance of eternal marriage and perpetuate the patriarchal order, “a system that would make [Abraham] the Father of the Faithful from that day onward as long as the earth should stand.”
Additionally, Melchizedek kept “the storehouse of God” where the “tithes for the poor” were held, as is typical of Zion. We read that Melchizedek gave priesthood blessings to individuals such as Abraham; he preached repentance; and he administered the ordinances of the New and Everlasting Covenant to his people “after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God…for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.”
The Results of Melchizedek’s Ministry
Melchizedek ministered with “extraordinary goodness and power…diligently administered in the office of high priest and ‘did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days’ (Alma 13:18). Consequently, Melchizedek became known as ‘the prince of peace’ (JST Gen. 14:33; Heb. 7:1-2; Alma 13:18). ‘His people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven’ (JST Gen. 14:34).”
Clearly, all of this is indicative of Zion, and therefore establishing Zion is the goal and the outcome of the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.
Entering into the Same Priesthood “Order”
Alma noted that it was this “order” of the high priesthood coupled with faith “that gave Melchizedek the power and knowledge that influenced his people to repent and become worthy to be with God…. Those ordained to this order were to ‘have power, by faith,’ and, according to ‘the will of the Son of God,’ to work miracles.
Ultimately, those in this order were ‘to stand in the presence of God’ (JST Gen. 14:30-31). This was accomplished by participating in the temple ordinances associated with this order (Alma 13:16; D&C 84:20-22). The result was that ‘men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven’ (JST Gen. 14:32). Accordingly, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the priesthood held by Melchizedek had ‘the power of endless lives.’”
Zion is achieved through the Melchizedek Order of the Priesthood
If we ever hope to become Zionlike people, we must follow the example of Melchizedek in our individual lives, marriages, families, and within the realms of our callings. Like Melchizedek, we must enter into the New and Everlasting Covenant, follow it through to its conclusion, and live worthily so that we might receive a fullness of the priesthood.
We must seek the blessings of the priesthood for the purposes of individual salvation and the salvation of those in our stewardships.
We must become kings and priests unto God by means of temple ordinances, and “kings of righteousness” to our families and to those in our stewardships.
We must function in the priesthood, which is the perfect law of theocracy to preach repentance, administer endless lives, and bring our charges back into the presence of God.
We must set an example of righteousness by exemplifying Jesus Christ, “that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God…for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.”
We must become princes of peace by entering the order of the Son of God, and in every way typifying Jesus Christ, who authority this is.
As Melchizedek Priesthood holders, we take upon ourselves the title of Melchizedek and must become all that he and Jesus Christ were and are. Because Melchizedek was able to achieve Zion by virtue of the priesthood, we, who take upon ourselves the title of Melchizedek and who hold that same authority, might achieve Zion in our lives, marriages, families and stewardships.
Invitation
This article was adapted from my soon-to-be-released series The Three Pillars of Zion.
I invite you to join my new Facebook group called “Pillars of Zion.” Visit me on Facebook and share your stories and concerns.
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “Melchizedek,” p. 879-880
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “Melchizedek,” p. 879-880
Alma 13:17-18, insertion added
See Alma 13:17-18; JST Hebrews 7:3
See Bruce R. McConkie, Conference Report, October 1950, p.15-16; See Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith: The Contemporary Accounts of the Nauvoo Discourses of the Prophet Joseph, compiled and edited by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, p.304
Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.322
See D&C 84:14; See JST Genesis 14:40
Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.36
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “Melchizedek,” p.879
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “Melchizedek,” p.879
