The Holy Order    

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

God forever ordains High Priests

After the Order of the Son of God

Anointing the greatest to the least

As stanchions for His iron rod

There is an ancient order of priesthood in God’s kingdom which a scriptural text explains,  “…. was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his (God’s) foreknowledge of all things” Book of Mormon, (Alma 13:5-7).  This order of priesthood is after the order of the Son of God, even Jesus Christ who the Apostle Paul extolled as a high priest forever. (See Hebrews 5:10-6)

In Old Testament times the greater priesthood was taken away from the body of Israel, who would thereafter receive the ministrations of the Mosaic law and ordinances in the temple through a “lesser” high priest after the order of Aaron and his successors.  Notwithstanding, each of the ancient Old Testament prophets from Adam onward personally received the higher priesthood and officiated as a high priest in the higher order. (See Doctrine and Covenants 107).

In our day the fullness of the priesthood has been restored, including the office of high priest. Those holding this office generally officiate in presiding ministerial functions within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We honor that “Holy Order” in our meditative verse based on the Book of Mormon text found in Alma chapter thirteen.

High Priests - standing clerics of truth and light

Ordained and commissioned by the great I AM

Their countenances bright, garments washed white
Sanctified through the Blood of the Lamb

The Holy Order

This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—  Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—  Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

Book of Mormon   Alma 13:7-9

God forever ordains High Priests

After the Order of the Son of God

Anointing the greatest to the least

As stanchions for His iron rod

Called from the foundation of the earth

According to the foreknowledge of the Lord

Anointed kings and priests long before birth

Ordained to holiness with sacred works to accord

An order without beginning of days or end of years

Ordained by Him full of equity, truth and grace

Men of holy station - a kingdom of saintly peers

Ordained soldiers of Christ secure in His embrace

 High Priests - standing clerics of truth and light

Ordained and commissioned by the great I AM

Their countenances bright, garments washed white

Sanctified through the Blood of the Lamb

Larry Doyle Crenshaw