The Melchezidek Afterthought

The Doctrine & Covenants, one of the four Standard works of the LDS Church, was originally known as the "Book of Commandments" when it was published in 1833. It contained a record of the revelations that Joseph Smith supposedly received from God. These were listed with the specific times and places they were given to Smith.

In 1835, when the book was renamed "The Doctrine and Covenants," many new revelations were added and many of the previously published revelations underwent dramatic changes. In fact, over 2800 words were changed or added since the first printing two years earlier.

Section 27, originally chapter 28 in the Book of Commandments, had over 400 words added to it. This new Section 27 records the same date and place as the original chapter 28, without any indication whatsoever that any changes had been made.

This is the revelation the LDS Church uses to prove that the Melchezidek priesthood existed in 1830 when the church was organized. Originally this revelation had to do with the partaking of the sacrament (the  LDS substitute for the Lord's Supper). In the new version, however, it turned into a revelation about the ordination of prophets and apostles, not only in the past, but in the present as well.

The new section is the basis for the LDS view of the true priesthood lineage and authority. Though it had only seven verses originally, in its new form it grew to 17 verses. Verse 12 says:

"And also Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of the ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them..." 

This revelation is dated August 1830, implying that the Melchezidek priesthood had been given prior to this date.  The LDS Church claims this priesthood is necessary to speak for God, yet this revelation has been altered and falsified to prove this priesthood existed in 1830.

Nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus give this priesthood to Peter, James, John, or anyone else for that matter. This priesthood is not given to anyone in the Book of Mormon either. Only Jesus possesses the necessary qualities to have this priesthood (see Hebrews chapter 7).

Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:

"There was no need for eliminating, changing or adjusting any part to make it fit: but each new revelation on doctrine and priesthood fitted in its place perfectly to complete the whole structure, as it had been prepared by the Master Builder."¹

It sounds good, but it is a lie!! Four hundred words added to this revelation alone, 2800 word changes in the Doctrine and Covenants, and over 4,000 changes to the Book of Mormon (20% of those changes are doctrinal!) And what about the changes to the temple ceremony, polygamy, and Blacks holding the priesthood?!! I praise God that He is unchanging in His very nature, "the same yesterday, today and forever." He is my Rock and my Salvation, a PERFECT God whom I can trust. He is worthy of our praise!