Organization of the Church

This weeks reading from the Joseph Smith Papers was about the organization of the High Priests in the church. While I was fascinated with all the details concerning the councils of the priesthood, I was more excited about the implications it had in a broader sense. We read all throughout the Book of Mormon that God is a God of order and wants His church to function likewise. The various division and rules concerning the High Priests is a testimony to me that it comes from God. Order allows the church to function with as few problems as possible and allows for its rapidly growing number of members to all be cared for.

The organization established through Joseph Smith in February 1834 is still present today and allows for the church to continue to progress. Joseph says that the function of the high priests was to “settle important difficulties which might arise in the church which could not be settles by the church…to the satisfaction of the parties” (Joseph Smith Papers 639). Through the reading, it is also apparent that the High Priests are organized in a way that doesn’t allow anyone too much power. There are rules concerning majorities in voting as well as allowances for questioning the verdict and freedom to disagree with decisions made. The revelation also commands the members of the council to make decisions that will be best for all those involved with the ultimate purpose of bringing people to Christ. As a regular member of the church, I don’t necessarily see all the workings of the High Priests but I am definitely aware of their contribution to the church and its stability. It’s a blessing to know that this office was created because of revelation given to Joseph Smith and its workings are dictated by continued revelation and carried out by faithful priesthood holders.