LDS Priesthood Unveiled Appendix 1Pure Religion, Undefiled Before God
As indicated in the early chapters of this biography about Joseph’s childhood, the idea
that someone would profess to have some divine priesthood power and authority over
another meant nothing to him. This was because in the minds of both his father and his idol
and mentor, Alvin, it meant nothing. It was established that his grandfather Asael abhorred
any power or authority that one human being held over another. A loyal follower of Thomas
Paine’s ideas, Grandpa Smith believed in the equality of men and women. He believed that
any duty associated with religion should consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and
endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.^35 Asael Smith’s favorite biblical passage of
scripture was James 1:27:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless
and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.No one controlled Asael Smith’s mind or actions. He was a free man in every sense of the word.
As explained in an earlier chapter, Alvin Smith shared his grandfather’s strong
independence. But unlike Asael, Alvin was a consummate atheist who came to detest the
Bible. Alvin believed that the Bible was a compilation of myths and stories invented by men
to control the minds of other people. Even so, Joseph’s oldest sibling was also open-minded
and studied the Bible with a sincere desire to know if there were any truths in it. Alvin’s
intense study of the Bible helped him find its flaws and sustained his atheistic beliefs. He
knew the Bible better than any of the Smiths. And when he explained to his family the role
that the character Moses played in it, Alvin’s insight continued to influence the young
Joseph and prepare him to play his intended role as the latter-day Moses.^36
The Story of Moses and the Priesthood
The Old Testament mentions “priests” in relation to the story of Aaron and his sons.
Moses was commanded to anoint them to help him teach the people.^37 The Bible introduces
the concept that the Aaronic Priesthood would “be an everlasting (unchangeable)
priesthood.”^38 What Alvin discovered and discussed with his family about Moses and this
priesthood established a mental foundation and perspective in the young Joseph that later
sustained how he suffered the priesthood to be introduced into the church that came forth
through his name.
According to the story in the Old Testament, there was no need for Aaron and his
sons, or any priesthood for that matter, when Moses first became the spokesman for the
people. However, the people had refused the real truth, which they would have received
from God himself (according to the story) had they been willing. They had chosen Moses to
be their spokesperson so they did not have to deal with God. Because of this, the people got
what they wanted—a “prophet”/leader and the “priesthood”/authority. Like Joseph,
Moses was commanded to give the people what they desired, even things that they could
not understand.
Initially, Moses was the ONLY ONE who had any authority to act in the place of
God on behalf of the people. Moses would sit and judge the people from morning until
evening. When Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, saw all that he was compelled to do for the
people, Jethro asked,