Watch the video above and talk about it with a friend or mentor.

Mormonism claims that the original priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. But the Bible shows why no such restoration was needed.

For transitioning Mormons, the idea of priesthood can be confusing. Most churches don’t have an authority structure similar to Mormonism because they think about priesthood the same way Mormonism does. But the priesthood claims made by the LDS Church have a number of problems.

Video Highlights:

  • The LDS Church claims exclusive priesthood authority. To Mormons, priesthood is the authority to act in God’s name. They believe that this authority is necessary to conduct all the ordinances required for salvation, like baptism, but that only certain members of the LDS Church have that authority. Mormonism claims that the original priesthood authority represented in the Bible was lost, but was restored to the LDS Church through Joseph Smith.
  • LDS priesthood claims have problems. 
    • The restoration of the priesthood cannot be documented. In LDS writings, Joseph Smith claimed to receive the restored priesthood directly from ancient authorities. But there was no written account of these encounters until 5 years later. If priesthood restoration was so important, why is the documentation so vague?
    • The idea was introduced late. In the early LDS scripture called the Book of Commandments, reference to priesthood authority was absent. When it was rewritten to become the Doctrine and Covenants, changes were made to add the idea of priesthood.
  • What the Bible says about priesthood restoration. The Bible gives no reason to suppose that priesthood authority was lost and had to be restored.
    • In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promised to be present with his disciples until the very end of the age. In other words, the church Jesus founded has never been lost and his authority has never ceased.
    • In 1 Corinthians 11:26, the apostle Paul told the church that as they practiced the Lord’s Supper, they would proclaim Jesus until he comes back again. This means there has been a real, functioning church since the beginning and there will be until the second coming of Christ.
    • Ephesians 2:20 says that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Jesus is still alive. He has never ceased being the cornerstone of his church. The church is also built on the ministry and writings of the original prophets and apostles.

The Bible has the right story about priesthood and priesthood restoration. Former Mormons can move on from some of the things we were taught in the past.

[Related: Priesthood and Authority in Church After Mormonism]

[Related: Understanding Priesthood After Mormonism]

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Key Points:

  • The LDS Church Claims Exclusive Priesthood Authority
  • LDS Priesthood Claims Have Problems
  • What the Bible Says About Priesthood Restoration

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Talk About It
  1. Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
  2. What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
  3. When you were LDS, how important was the priesthood to you? Explain.
  4. What is your attitude about the priesthood today?
  5. Summarize the problems with the story of Joseph Smith’s restoration of the priesthood.
  6. Summarize what the Bible says about priesthood restoration.
  7. What does it mean to you that Jesus is still alive and promises to be present with his church until the end of time?
  8. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

This is part of the Church Life After Mormonism series.