Fullness of the Priesthood

A term that was used by Joseph Smith at different times with different meanings. It always conveyed that the recipient had accepted all that had been given to a point in time. The willing readiness to accept all that had been offered by the time of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple meant the believer had been ordained to the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, had been baptized, and as the then-current practice involved, had been re-baptized and passed through an initiatory washing and anointing. The term used later during the late-Nauvoo period of Joseph Smith’s life involved all of the foregoing and, in addition, an endowment and sealing, second anointing, and finally an adoption process tying the individual into a family relationship that would endure after death. Because the fullness of the Priesthood was used dynamically and not statically by Joseph Smith, various revelations making use of the term should not be read as having a single meaning. In a final sense, fullness of priesthood will be post-resurrection and will come to those who have continually manifested a willingness to accept the dynamic and progressive fullness of the Priesthood offered by God to man in the development and restoration of all things.¹ Joseph Smith had the fullness of the Priesthood. It included the promise to him by God of eternal life, authority to seal on earth and in heaven, a marriage relationship which would secure for him eternally the right to have children, and a binding seal between him and ‘the Fathers.’ These gave him power in his priesthood, and the ability to use the power on behalf of others. There is a difference between the power of the priesthood, and the blessings of the priesthood. Joseph’s fullness gave him power. Without question he had the right to use that power to confer blessings upon others.² The fullness of the Priesthood could only be given to the saints inside a house belonging to God; a place He could come. The Lord’s presence was necessary for the fullness. There is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you (T&C 141:10). It is necessary for the Lord to come because only He can confer the fullness of the Priesthood. He granted such a fullness to Joseph and intended all qualified saints to have it. The fullness of the Priesthood does not get transferred by men, or the wishes of men, but by the Lord Himself. For this to happen, sacred space must be established by those who are worthy to enter the Lord’s presence and receive from Him the keys to this power through their sacrifice and obedience.³ The fullness of the Priesthood is not merely authority. It requires knowledge of the full truth about God’s work. Revelation must restore understanding of the past, present, and future. Restoring the fullness will involve a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof (Isaiah 9:1). It remains the second of three great future accomplishments that did not happen during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. The third remaining work is a “New Jerusalem” or community devoted to living God’s commandments and welcoming His return. Until a proper temple is built for the Lord to dwell within, the fullness of the Priesthood has been restored, and a holy city is gathered, the restoration begun by Joseph remains unfinished. However, these three events were promised by God to the ancient covenant fathers, and they are certain to happen.⁴See also HOLY ORDER.