AARONIC PRIESTHOOD (Teachings of Joseph Smith)

Jesus Unable to Enter Kingdom Except Through Administration of John — Martha Jane Knowlton Coray (March 21, 1841)

Jhon felt that the honor of baptizing his master was too great a thing grater than he could claim and said I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me Jesus repled thus it behooveth us to fulfill all righteousness thus signifying to Jhon the claim of the Aronic priesthood which holds the keys of enterance into the Kingdom. . . .

Jesus as I said could not enter except by the administration of Jhon. Although Jhon was not a restorer but a forerunner . . .

Discourse, circa 21 March 1841, as Reported by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray, pp. 26-27, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Significance of John the Baptist Being a Levite and His Authority from Aaronic Priesthood — Martha Jane Knowlton Coray (March 21, 1841)

Joseph Smith read the 3 chap Malachi dwelt with emphasis upon the Levitical priesthood and the promise concerning them
Took up Jhon John shewed him to be a Levite and proceeded The voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord and make his paths strait Now it was written that the priests lips should keep knowledge, and to them should the people seek for understanding and above all the law binds them and us to receive the word of the Lord at the hands of the Levites therefore Jhon being Lawful heir to the Levitical Priesthood the people were bound to receive his testimony. Hence the saying the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force after Jhon had been testifying of Jesus for some time Jesus came unto him for baptism Jhon felt that the honor of baptizing his master was too great a thing grater than he could claim and said I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me Jesus replied thus it behooveth us to fulfill all righteousness thus signifying to Jhon the claim of the Aronic priesthood which holds the keys of enterance into the Kingdom. Then the three signs which were given were conclusive The dove which sat upon his shoulder was a sure testimony that he was of God

Discourse, circa 21 March 1841, as Reported by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray, pp. 23-25, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Levites Heirs to Priesthood by Lineage as Seen in the Example of John the Baptist — William P. McIntire (March 21, 1841)

Joseph Read the 2 & 3d. Chapters of Malichi & stated that there was a priestHood Confered upon all the sons of Levi throughout the Jeneration of the Jews & he also said they beCome heirs to that pristHood By Linage or Decent & held the Keys of the first principles of the Gospel— for this— he quoted concerning Jesus coming to John to be Baptized of John that he (Jesus) might Enter into the Kingdom as John held the Keys suffer it to be so now &c he also Brought up Zacharias pleading with the Lord in the temple that he might have seed so that the preistHood might be presurved

Discourse, circa 21 March 1841, as Reported by William P. McIntire, p. 17, The Joseph Smith Papers.