(May 2003 TG Entry: Law of Moses)

I             Aaronic Priesthood

The Bible Dictionary has this to say about John the Baptist.

John the Baptist. Son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, being of priestly descent through both parents.  This lineage was essential, since John was the embodiment of the law of Moses, designed to prepare the way for the Messiah and make ready a people to receive him.  He was the outstanding bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood in all history, and was entrusted with its most noble mission. BD John the Baptist

Today, we do not live the Law of Moses.  But this relationship between the Law of Moses and the Aaronic Priesthood is important, even today.  The things that young men and women learn during the time when the young men hold the Aaronic Priesthood are very similar to the things taught in the Law of Moses.  It is almost as if the Law of Moses is still in effect, in some ways, teaching and preparing youth to live the higher law.

Paul described the law this way:

24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Gal. 3:24 – 25

This relationship still exists in our day, we are in school for a period of time, until we a capable of becoming independent.

II            Ordinances

The Law of Moses included the performance of ordinances.  Today we probably view these ordinances as uncivilized through our modern sensitivities about animals and killing.  In many cultures today, as long as the animals and killing are performed by others out of sight, things are civil.

But from a gospel perspective, what did a saint, a righteous Israelite, feel when participating in these ordinances?  What did Simeon or Anna feel in the temple that day when they came upon the Savior in the temple?  What did Zachariah experience while fulfilling his holy office?

These ordinances were performed under the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood, the same priesthood our young men exercise today.  What are the ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood today?  And what is the privilege of the young men and women of today to feel, to experience, in performing these ordinances?

• Baptism
• Ordinations
• The Sacrament
• Temple ordinances