Joseph Smith Biography

LDS Priesthood Unveiled Appendix 1

way that they act and are acted upon in the exercise of their free will. In the beginning, Joseph
called this order, “the holy priesthood, after the order of the Son of God.”^15
In the early days of Joseph’s calling, this “holy order” was the only reference he
intended for priesthood or authority. But over time, because the early Mormons refused to
abide by the simple concepts of Christ’s teachings and desired a church and a priesthood
that fit more comfortably with their former Christian beliefs, their perception and
understanding of this order evolved. Like the ancient Jews before them, the people wanted
someone to lead them and to take authority and responsibility over their lives. They gave
away the inalienable human right and power guaranteed by their own eternal “priesthood”
to someone other than themselves. They wanted a leader to be responsible for their
actions—whatever the “prophet of God” told them to do, they would do, and put the
accountability upon his shoulders. The “holy order of God” became a power and authority
that Joseph knew did not exist—either in this world or in any other advanced human world
in the Universe. Nevertheless, it gradually became a reality in the minds of the LDS people,
especially the men’s. Therefore, because they desired it, God commanded it of Joseph.

A Witness’ Testimony About the Priesthood

David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the authenticity of the gold plates,
later turned against Joseph and claimed that he was a fallen prophet for allowing the Holy
Priesthood of God to evolve into the male-based patriarchal mess that it eventually became.
Whitmer wrote:

This matter of “priesthood,” since the days of Sydney [sic] Rigdon, has been the great

hobby and stumbling-block of the Latter Day Saints. Priesthood means authority;

and authority is the word we should use. I do not think the word priesthood is

mentioned in the New Covenant of the Book of Mormon. Authority is the word we

used for the first two years in the church—until Sydney [sic] Rigdon’s days in Ohio.

This matter of the two orders of priesthood in the Church of Christ, and

lineal priesthood of the old law being in the church, all originated in the

mind of Sydney [sic] Rigdon. He explained these things to Brother Joseph in

his way, out of the old Scriptures, and got Brother Joseph to inquire, etc. He

would inquire, and as mouthpiece speak out the revelations just as they had

it fixed up in their hearts. As I have said before, according to the desires of the

heart, the inspiration comes, but it may be the spirit of man that gives it. How easily

a man can receive some other spirit, appearing as an Angel of Light, believing at the

time that he is giving the revealed will of God; a doubt never entering his mind but

what he is doing God’s will. Of course I believe that Brother Joseph gave every

revelation—including the one on polygamy—in all good conscience before God. This

is the way the High Priests and the “priesthood” as you have it, was introduced into

the Church of Christ almost two years after its beginning—and after we had baptized

and confirmed about two thousand souls into the church.^16

After Joseph was killed, Whitmer vehemently opposed the “priesthoods” (plural) that
were embellished and changed to conform to Brigham Young’s church. He was with Joseph
from the beginning and knew how the “revelations” that established church doctrine were