His Holy Order

As Nephi and his people settled in a new land, they established formal patterns of worship, including a sacred space—the temple—and ecclesiastical roles and responsibilities. Nephi tells us that he consecrated his younger brothers, Jacob and Joseph, “that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people” (2 Nephi 5:26).

In the following chapter, we see how seriously Jacob took this responsibility. He opens a sermon with these words:

Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things.

Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been.

2 Nephi 6:2-3

Surely, he felt anxiety because he loved them, not just because he had been called to serve them, but the calling surely intensified that feeling and gave him an added sense of responsibility.

Jacob said that he had been “called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order.” A later prophet, Alma, uses the term “holy order” multiple times to describe ecclesiastical service. (See, for example, Alma 5:44, Alma 7:22, Alma 13:1-18.) What does that phrase mean?

The earliest meaning of “order” in English is “a body of persons living under a religious discipline.” (See “order,” Online Etymology Dictionary.) It represents a special kind of community, in which members commit to abide by certain standards of behavior and support one another in their efforts to be more holy.

David prophesied that the Savior would be “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4). Paul interpreted that to be a higher order than the priesthood he and other Jews were familiar with, which was “after the order of Aaron” (Hebrews 7:11, 21).

In an 1835 revelation, God explained that there are two priesthoods: “the Melchizedek and Aaronic.” He explained that the Melchizedek priesthood actually predates the ancient king whom it is named after. “Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:1-3).

Elder Boyd K. Packer explained that the priesthood is the power of God, and “when we exercise priesthood authority properly, we do what He would do if He were present” (“What Every Elder Should Know—and Every Sister as Well, a Primer on Principles of Priesthood Government,” Ensign, February 1993, italics in original).

So the holy order of the priesthood is really an extension of our discipleship. We who are striving to follow and emulate the Savior are invited to participate in a religious community with sacred spaces and formal activities designed to help us draw closer to God. As part of that process, He authorizes individuals to represent Him. All of us are blessed as we collectively participate in this order.

Today, I will be grateful for the structure I receive by participating in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will strive to engage fully, to fulfill my responsibilities accurately, and to provide love and support to other church members.