Is the Aaronic Priesthood Authentic?

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In this interview with Michael Barrett (Restored Gospel Podcast), we first discuss some theories, ideas, facts and hypotheses surrounding the origins of the Aaronic priesthood. Where did this priesthood come from? What does the documentary hypothesis suggest about the legitimacy of the priesthood claims? If Why don’t the earliest versions of the Moses story contain the parts about Aaron and his lineage having special rights? Who wrote the biblical parts of the story of Aaron, and when? Does the Book of Mormon support the concept of the priesthood of Aaron?

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Interview with Michael Barrett (“Restored Gospel Podcast” Podcast) about the Origins of the Aaronic Priesthood

For the full interview, go here.

Who Wrote the Aaronic Priesthood Portions in the Bible?

0:45 Is the Aaronic priesthood in the scriptures?
2:29 The Holy Order & the High Priesthood
3:03 Summary of the Documentary Hypothesis & late additions from “The Priestly (P) Source“
8:25 Early LDS historical references & influences to the Aaronic priesthood
9:30 “Priestly (P)” source compared to the earlier “Yahwist (J)“ and “Elohist (E)“ sources
10:44 King David and early Jerusalem priesthood roots
12:48 Were Moses & Aaron really brothers?
14:38 What are the “plain & precious things” in the Book of Mormon?
19:27 Why did Lehi offer sacrifice as a non-Levite/Aaronite?
23:38 Hebrews 5-9 and what it says about the priesthood of Aaron

“Priesthood of Aaron” Among Latter-day Saints

25:34 Priesthood “offices” discussed
29:49 New doctrine added to the 1835 Doctrine & Covenants (27 edit, 107 edit)
31:01 D&C 13 added in 1876
31:27 Sons of Levi need purging. Why?
31:58 Book of Commandments says nothing about Aaronic priesthood, details not added until 1835 edition (RLDS #26, LDS #27)
34:00 Earliest mentions of the Peter, James and John Melchizedek priesthood story
34:55 Church conference June 1831 at Isaac Morley’s farm. Several people (Joseph Smith, John Corrill, Parley P. Pratt) state that this was the first time in this dispensation that the Melchizedek priesthood was conferred.

Book of Mormon’s Role in Figuring Stuff Out

36:23 Should the Book of Mormon or mortal leaders be considered authoritative?
40:00 The Book of Mormon’s role in confounding false doctrine in the latter days
45:50 What do “keys” have to do with anything?
49:55 The Aaronic priesthood continues “in His wrath” (a curse, not a blessing)
51:00 The Holy Order/Melchizedek priesthood: How is it given? Who gives it?
52:05 Who can legally have the Aaronic priesthood?
53:10 Oliver Cowdery’s experience with John the Baptist?
53:51 Did Sidney Rigdon influence Oliver Cowdery & Joseph Smith’s understanding of the priesthood?
55:12 Book of Mormon vs. LDS theology: Which do we follow today?
55:39 What I think happened in LDS history / what do we do about it?

What do you think about the Aaronic Priesthood? Was it really divinely sourced from Aaron in the days of Moses? Was it a 4th-5th century BCE addition to the Pentateuch that the early church leaders misunderstood?