The Fulness of the Priesthood

In my last writing, the subject of the “fulness of the gospel” was considered. This terminology is used in revelations and church writings and has reference to the existence of a basic understanding of gospel principles to be found in each one of our standard works. However, we recognize further that not one or even all of these books of scripture together contains a collection of all gospel truths. In this writing on the fulness of the priesthood, a distinction between priesthood power and the fulness of the priesthood will be discussed.

As pertaining to the Melchizedek Priesthood, Elder Bruce R. McConkie writes: “The priesthood is greater than any of its offices. No office adds any power, dignity, or authority to the priesthood. All offices derive their rights, prerogatives, graces, and powers from the priesthood. . . . Every elder holds as much priesthood as an apostle or as the President of the Church, though these latter officers hold greater administrative assignments in the kingdom” (Mormon Doctrine, 595-596).

Even though the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored to the earth in 1829, in 1841 the Lord commanded the Saints to build a temple in Nauvoo in order that He might restore therein “that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood” (Doctrine and Covenants, 124:28). The Lord has reference here to the ordinances of the temple that are necessary for exaltation or eternal life. Indeed, the fulness of priesthood authority had already been conferred upon the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1836 in the Kirtland Temple when they received the fulness of the keys of the priesthood from Moses, Elias, and Elijah (D&C 110:11-16). It is important to note here that the keys necessary to perform the temple ordinances were restored to the earth years before a house of the Lord existed wherein the required temple ordinances could be performed for the Church’s membership and their kindred dead. Once these ordinances were available to the membership, those who entered into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage received a fulness of the priesthood. The blessings of the fulness of the priesthood are available to all worthy, married couples in His Kingdom today and will be realized for eternity once their demonstrated worthiness is such that the Holy Ghost seals them up to that end (D&C 132:19).

What is illustrated here is the knowledge that was made known by the Prophet when he taught concerning the “three grand orders of the priesthood.” These orders are the Levitical Priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, and Patriarchal authority (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 322-323). The order of the priesthood known as Patriarchal authority is that into which couples enter by way of the temple sealing ordinance. President Ezra Taft Benson stated the matter thusly: “To enter into the order of the Son of God is the equivalent today of entering into the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is only received in the house of the Lord” (as quoted in Andrew C. Skinner, Temple Worship, 40).