The History of MELCHIZEDEK, the Great High Priest

He was Shem, Noah’s Son from the book of Genesis

and was known before the foundations of the earth as Uriel, one of the Archangels
and was also born in the Meridian of Time, as Yeshua Ha Mashiach,
“the Messiah and Savior of the World”

THE NAME 'MELCHIZEDEK': . . . . . . . . p.2

HEBREWS SCRIPTURES: . . . . . . . . p.4
HEBREWS WRITINGS:. . . . . . . . . p.6
GNOSTIC WRITINGS: . . . . . . . . . p.8
MESSIANIC HEBREWS WRITINGS: . . . . . . . p.10
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES: . . . . . . . . p.14
LATTER DAY RESTORATION SCRIPTURES: . . . . . . p.17
LATTER DAY RESTORATION WRITINGS: . . . . . . p.22
ANCIENT MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD: . . . . . . p.30
LATTER DAY PREISTHOODS: . . . . . . . . p.32
PRIESTHOODS RE-REVEALED: . . . . . . . p.36
MELCHIZEDEK WAS AND IS THE MESSIAH: . . . . . . p.37
SUMMATION: . . . . . . . . . . p.43
THE NAME 'MELCHIZEDEK':

To begin with, 'Who was Melchizedek?' To answer this we will need to ask, did His name mean anything
significant as to pointing to His calling? We pronounced His name mel-kis-e-dek from the Hebrew: ‫דק‬A A‫ י־צ‬F‫לכ‬H J‫מ‬,
which means "my king is righteousness". It was said of Melchizedek that He was the “king of Salem” and the
great high priest of El Elyon, or in other words, the king of the city of Peace and the great high priest unto the
'Most High G_d'.

In Amharic, it is pronounced malekī-ṣeḏeq: መልከ ጼዴቅ, and is commonly written as two words: Meleḵi-ṣedeq
‫מלכי־צדק‬, with His name being composed from the two elements melek-i "my king" and ṣedeq "righteous(ness)".
[Strong's Concordance, 4428 & 6666] It should be noted then, that with the addition of an -i to the possessive
pronoun melek, as in malek-ī it would be pronounced "my king", so that the name literally translates as "my king
is righteousness". "Melchizedek was an old Canaanite name meaning 'My King is the G_d of Righteousness'. At
times in the Hebrew it is written malkiʾ which includes a pronominal suffix in the first person singular, the name
literally means 'my king is righteous', or if the word is actually a proper name 'my king is Zedek.' Uriel the
Archangel is the name that was actually taught by the Zadokite Priest of the First Temple period, as to whom
Melchizedek was. They also claimed to be Priests of Zedek, with Melchizedek's Priesthood (My King of
Righteous Priesthood), and the signs that that Priesthood was there, and were born out by the manifestation
reported to have been commonplace in the First Temple period.

So as we can see, that His name anciently was usually written as two words, and that this is consistent with
most Masoretic Hebrew texts, yet in later times, it is rendered as one word in both the Septuagint (Μελχισεδέκ)
and Vulgate (Melchisedech). In the Authorized King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, dated 1611, it was
rendered Melchizedek when translating it from the Hebrew, and Melchisedec when translating it from the Greek.
In looking for a standardization of spelling, we shall use the translated Hebrew word from the King James
Version of the Bible, 'Melchizedek'.

So, how probable is it for a person to take two words that describes their relationship to others and His
spiritual nature or standing before G_d, as their name? Or even less probable, how likely is it that a person's
parents decide to call their child from birth, describing future deeds or events? And finally, how probable is it that
a person will eventually merge their name into a new single word? It is unheard of, if it is a name! If the two
words were nick names for a person, that eventually became a single word, as in it became a title, that has
happen many many many times throughout history. So we can soundly say that this was probably never His birth
name. For His parents did not decide to call their child from birth 'my king of righteousness' unless there was
divine intervention declaring the child's Eternal Calling. We will see hereafter that His name was Shem, from
birth. That His father was Noah, who was Gabriel, an Archangel and that if for some reason Noah did call His
Son 'My King', that would reveal much more as to whom his Son really was to become in this creation. The title
Meleḵi-ṣedeq formed in parallel with Adoni-ṣedeq ‫אדני־צדק‬, as in the king of Salem or king of Peace, mentioned
in the Book of Joshua 10:1–3, and where the element 'malek' or 'sedeq' being "king" is replaced by 'adon' being
"lord" or with 'Adonai' as in “my Lord”. What the wording implies here is "my king is tzedek", based on the notion
that the city of Salem is associated with the attribute of righteousness, as in 'Tzedek' is equated with 'Tzion' or
“Zion”, the true city of the Eternal King.

By the time of the Hellenistic Priests from the later Second Temple period, it appears the name came to be
associated with the Messiah and paraphrased as "king of righteousness" which meant 'my king is G_d of
righteous' or 'my king is Zedek' (see hereafter Psalms 110). This led Hellenistic Judaism to the re-interpretation
of the title 'king of righteousness' from the former understanding that, this title was used for Shem, to the used of
this title also referring to Michael, the Archangel, as He was also seen as a heavenly priest. So this term being a
Title rather than a Name, would not have been that far of a stretch to see how this title would be used for both
Adam who stands in the earthly position of Eternal Father in this Creation Godhead, and that it is also applied to
the Eternal Son in this world's Creation Godhead, as Uriel, the Archangel and King of the Air, who would also
become the Messiah and Redeemer of this world, and would possess the very same title(s). Michael was
originally called Melchi-zedek and was in direct contrast with Belial, who is commonly called Satan, the Devil or
that Old Serpent and was given the name of Melchi-resha, being "king of wickedness". Belial and Belial Worship
is known under many other names and religions anciently and has evolved over the centuries. He became
known as Beelzebub and Ba'al (Baal) worship, and out of Beelzebub and Ba'al worship, has come Allah and
Mohamed's Islamic religion. Allah is just another name for Belial, and is the opposite of what it claims to be, a
religion of peace, and the worship of the true G_d of this world. It is actually a religion that worships death and
those knowledgeable in Islam know that “Allah” was originally called 'Ba'al'.

In looking into the Greek, the title 'Meleḵiṣedeq' (ἑρμηνευόμενος) was translated (βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης)
meaning "king of righteousness". When omitting to translate the possessive suffix, the same passage is
interpreted as Melchizedek's title of “king of Salem”. It can also be translated as "king of Peace" (βασιλεὺς
εἰρήνης), the context being the presentation of Meleḵiṣedeq's as an eternal priesthood associated with Jesus
Christ (ἀφωμοιωμένος δὲ τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸ διηνεκές) "made like unto the Son of God abideth a
priest continually".
HEBREWS SCRIPTURES:

Let us delve into the Scriptures to see what light can be shed upon the subject of Melchizedek. In looking first
into the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, we find that Yesrael only mention Melchizedek twice, first in the 14th
chapter of Genesis and the second time is in 110th Psalms. The most in depth rendition on who and what
Melchizedek was, is found in Bereishith 14:18-20: here Melchizedek brings out bread and wine and blesses
Abram and El Elyon.

“18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high
God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and
earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him
tithes of all.”
(Bereishith [Genesis] 14:18-20, [KJV])

In Bereishith (Genesis) 14:18, Melchizedek is introduced as a "Priest of the Most High G_d", in Hebrew it
would read: 'Kohen Ha El Elyon', a term which is re-used three more times in Genesis 14, see verses:19, 20, 22.
The term "Most High" is also used another twenty times for the G_d of Yesrael in Psalms. In connection with
Genesis 14, the mentioning of a G_d called 'El Elyon', being “G_d, the Most High G_d”, is the same as 'El',
whom is one of the 'Eloheim' or 'the G_ds' (plural). However 'El' differs with 'YHWH', being pronounced more
correctly 'Yahweh' rather then the traditionally excepted English pronunciation of 'Jehovah'. So 'El Elyon' must be
a G_d whom is greater then Yahweh, the G_d of Yesrael. It must be Yahweh's G_d, or at the very least,
Melchizedek's G_d (Adam and Shem's G_d). From latter day revelations, we find that 'El Elyon' is Yahweh'
Father and G_d. As a side note here: Everyone has only one individual G_d, as per the Shema, found in
Devarim 6:4:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”

(Devarim [Deuteronomy] 6:4, [KJV])

However, the point missed by all the world is, not everyone has the same individual El or G_d. For each
person in this creation, as this is born out in Holy Writ, are not all at the same place in the path of eternal
progression. Yahshua, the Only Begotten of the Father (All Second Estates Father - Yahweh), is farther down
this path than us all save Michael – Adam, who Father is the Father of Yahshua El Elyon.

So in an attempt to comprehend Bereishith (Genesis) 14 with greater contextual understanding, one should
read every verse, especially verses 17-24. In Bereishith 14:3 it calls Abram "the Hebrew", in reference to his
victorious return from a battle, where he helped defend the king of Sodom ('Bera' in Bereishith 14:2). 'Bera'
desired to reward Abram for coming to his and his allies' aid. Then totally unrelated, we have this narrative of
Melchizedek, king of Salem (Bereishith 14:18-20), a priest of El Elyon, the G_d, the Most High G_d,
administering unto Abram by bring out bread and wine and blessed Abram in the name of His (Melchizedek's)
G_d, 'El Elyon'. Abram then gives Melchizedek a tithe of all he has. Bereishith 14 has raised numerous questions
for modern scholars who lack latter day revelation. They consider a possibility that Melchizedek was a pre-
Yesraelite kingship and priesthood in the Jebusite city of Salem, long before King David conquered it and built
such a city and nation or kingdom (2 Samuel 5:6-10).

Now let us look at the final other Old Testament reference of the name Melchizedek which is found in Tehillim
110:4. It appears here that G_d addresses king David directly: "You are a priest for ever after the order of
Melchizedek."

“4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
(Tehillim [Psalms] 110:4 [KJV])

We will discuss Priesthood later on in this paper, as it is commonly held by Restoration Churches in the latter
days (Mormonism), that David never held the fullness of this Priesthood, otherwise he could not have obtain a
forgiveness of the sin of murder in the instance of Uriah. Yet it clearly say he is a Priest after this Order forever.
This is simple when one understands that all male Fourth Estate Beings possess Melchizedek Priesthood from
before the foundations of the earth or this creation, but that without ordination here in this mortality (creation),
which is required to actually possess it here, the power to act in this Priesthood is not granted and the Fullness
of such a Priesthood is something that can only come by two things: by first the keeping of the Covenant (Oath)
made in connection to the temporal Ordination into this Priesthood and by the second thing, by the receiving of
additional Priesthood ordinations. One such ordination is into the Patriarchal Priesthood, whom Elijah ('Eliyah',
“My G_d is Yah or in other words, My G_d is Yahweh”) was the last to possess this Priesthood, and must restore
this in the End Times. Yes, the Messiah also possess the Patriarchal Priesthood, and the Fullness of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, but He was not called to ordain others and never did administer such unto others.

In looking at other Jewish translations of Psalms 110:4. that follow the Septuagint (Greek translation), they
have translated it thus:

“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent: 'Thou art a priest for ever after the manner of Melchizedek.'
(JPS 1917)

Although the above is the traditional translation of the text, some Jews feel that the Hebrew text can be
interpreted in various different ways. In a much later edition, the New Jewish Publication Society of America
(JPS), 1985 edition, reads:

“You are a priest forever, a rightful king by My decree.”

(JPS 1985)

Another alternative keeps Melchizedek as a personal name but changes the identity of the person addressed:
'You are a priest forever by my order (or 'on my account'), O Melchizedek' – here it is Melchizedek who is being
addressed throughout the psalm. Yet, the majority of the Jewish Sages literature attributes the primary character
of the Psalm as King David, who was also a 'righteous king' of Salem (Jerusalem – New Salem) and, like
Melchizedek, had certain priest-like responsibilities.

Even some Jews feel there is an ambiguity in the Hebrew text about who gave tithe to whom: Abram to
Melchizedek or Melchizedek to Abram: as the verse in question simply states, 'And [he] gave him tithe from all'
(v-yiten-lo ma'aser mekol, ‫) ויתן לו מעשר מכל‬. Clearly this is a very good example of how latter day Jews strain at
a gnat and swallow a camel.

The Zohar (redacted by Moses de León c. 1290's) we find in "Melchizedek king of Salem" a reference to "the
King who rules with complete sovereignty". According to another explanation, is that "Melchizedek" alludes to the
lower world and "king of Salem" to the upper world (Zohar 1:86b–87a). The Zohar's commentary on Genesis 14
cites a Rabbi Yitzchak as saying that it was G_d who gave tithe to Abram in the form of removing the Hebrew
letter 'Hey' from his throne of glory and presenting it to the soul of Abram for his benefit. The letter hey is the
letter G_d added to Abram's name to become "Abra-ha-m" in Genesis. This upper world, was it Zion that fled, or
was it the surface of this world? Probably both at different times!
HEBREW WRITINGS:

Let us now look at additional writing of Yesrael or from the Jews to see if any further light upon Melchizedek's
identity and callings were known. According to most Jewish traditions, Melchizedek was Shem, the son of Noah,
whom G_d consecrated to be a priest forever, and who set up a kingdom on Salem, which is to say, a kingdom
of Peace. In the Legends of the Bible (a condensed version of the 7-volume Legends of the Jews), it states that
"when Abraham returned from the war, Shem, or, as he is sometimes called, Melchizedek, the king of
righteousness, priest of G_d Most High, and king of Jerusalem, came forth to meet him with bread and wine."

The Talmud is the writings comprising from the Mishnah and the Gemara. It contains the Jewish civil and
ceremonial laws. There are two versions of the Talmud: the Babylonian Talmud, which dates from the 5th century
AD but includes some earlier materials and the earlier Palestinian or Jerusalem Talmud. In the Babylonian
Talmud, in Nedarim 32b, we find that Melchizedek is used as a title for Shem. This is exactly what we found in
the Scriptures, that it was a title, rather than a name, however this clearly declares that Shem was in fact
Melchizedek. 'Rabbi Zekharya said in the name of Rabbi Yishmael: The Holy One, Blessed be He, wanted the
priesthood to emerge from Shem, so that his children would be priests, as it is stated: “And Melchizedek king of
Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was priest of G_d the Most High” (Genesis 14:18). Once
Melchizedek, traditionally identified as Shem, placed the blessing of Abraham before the blessing of G_d
personally, He had the priesthood emerge from Abraham in particular, and not from any other descendant of
Shem. It was a matter that the Jews failed to understand, that Melchizedek was G_d the Eternal Son, blessing
Abram before and in preparations to G_d the Eternal Father blessing Abram. This fulfills what we have been
given to understand, that one must have the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood to see G_d the Father and
live. A quotation from the Targumim, states, "Melchizedek, who was Shem, son of Noah, king of Jerusalem."

In Judaism, more specifically Hellenistic Judaism, the Second Temple Period, Josephus gives three items of
information, with one item not found in any other sources. Josephus refers to Melchizedek as a 'Canaanite chief'
in the War of the Jews, and as a Priest in Antiquities of the Jews, as does the later writings found in Josephus's
writings. The scriptures call Melchizedek a 'Priest of G_d the Most High', as just noted again above.

Melchizedek is mentioned by Philo in three of his writings (Legum Allegoriae, vol.3, p.79-82; De Congressu,
p.89; De Abrahamo, p.235), and Philo list four items of interest. However, when seeking spiritual understanding
from a first-century Jewish philosopher of Alexandria, it is not worth the read unless you're looking for worldly
opinions written 2500 years after the fact. Philo sees Melchizedek in divine types and patterns as creations of
man, as people can only see things they can conceive of and then they express G_d in these "images" they
have created. Philo, also identifies Melchizedek with the Logos as a Priest of G_d, and as a possessor of an
unlearned and untutored priesthood, indeed as a representation of the Priesthood of G_d. Philo interprets the
Jewish first-fruit offering (Feast of Pentecost) after quoting the Jewish laws, equates the general custom as still a
continuance of Cain's sacrifice (and metaphorically speaking, Philo totally missed the purpose and fulfillment of
Pentecost).

In the Middle East, the land distribution of the ancient lands of Canaan was alleged to have been governed by
Cham (one of Shem's younger Brothers). The disagreement among Rishonim (Rabbinic scholars subsequent to
the Shulkhan Arukh are generally known as acharonim or 'the latter ones'. The distinction between the Rishonim
and the Geonim is meaningful and historical in that 'Halakha' (Jewish Law) in that the distinction is less important
as to whether Salem was Melchizedek/Shem's allocated residence by his father Noah or whether he was a
foreigner in Salem which was considered the rightful land of his brother Cham. Ramban (the Sage 'Moses ben
Nahman' commonly known as Nachmanides and also most commonly referred to by the acronym 'Ramban') is
of the opinion that the land was rightfully owned and governed by the offspring of Cham, and explains that
Melchizedek/Shem left his home country and came to Salem as a foreigner wishing to serve G_d as a Kohen
(Priest). However, Rashi (who was 'Shlomo Yitzchaki', today generally known by the acronym 'Rashi') was a
medieval French Rabbi and author of a comprehensive commentaries, and maintains that the land of Canaan
was initially allotted to Shem, by Noah his father, and the offspring of Cham conquered the land by forced
expansion. In the merits of the discussion here, from the Scriptures, does it really matter who initially own the
land? What matters is who first established Salem, and that Melchizedek, who was Shem, was the King of
Salem. Melchizedek was the initial Priest of G_d and the founder of what would later become Jerusalem!

In most Rabbinic literature, a term used to describe Rabbinic literature is 'Halakhah' which is based upon the
Oral Law, its traditions and methodology in its different periods, its changing languages, and its varied forms.
The Hebrew word 'Perushim' means “Commentaries”. In Judaism this word refer to commentaries on the Torah
(five books of Moses). The Tanakh (is an acronym of the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text's three
traditional subdivisions of the Old Testament: the 'Torah' being the “Teaching”, 'Nevi'im' being the “Prophets” and
'Ketuvim' being the “Writings”, hence TaNaKh). The 'Mishnah' or 'Mishna' meaning the “study by repetition”, is
the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions known as the “Oral Torah” or Rabbinic literature.
Rabbinic literature contains: the Talmud (which was defined above), and the Responsa literature (In rabbinic
literature, the Responsa are known as 'She'elot u-Teshuvot' meaning the “Questions and Answers” and are
comprised of a collection of published written decisions and rulings given by Poskim, being the “Deciders of
Jewish Law”. Even the 'Siddur', the Jewish prayer book and other miscellaneous works are at times also called
Rabbinic literature. These works almost completely follow the premise that Melchizedek was indeed Shem, as
He was 465 years old at the time and Abram was 75 years of age, when He Shem/Melchizedek blessed Abram.

Chazalic literature consists of Jewish literature that directly questions and at times invalidates Christianity.
This literature unanimously identify Melchizedek as Shem, the son of Noah, from 'Targum Yonathan' to Genesis
chapter 14, to Rabbah 46:7, to Babylonian Talmud, to 'Tractate Nedarim 32b'). The Talmud Bavli attributes Him
(Shem and his beth din court of justice) as pioneers in banning prostitution (Avodah Zarah p. 36a), places these
beliefs of who Melchizedek was, in the realm of Chazalic literature.

Another important text is the Book of Enoch 2 or 2nd Enoch. The dating of this book is controversial, but
recent scholarship places its original as a Greek version in the first century A.D. in Alexandria (cf. F. I. Andersen's
introduction and translation in Charlesworth, Vol. 1, pp. 91-213). This text reveals an early interest in
Melchizedek by Jewish people. In (chaps. 71-72), a child is miraculously born to Noah's brothers (Nir) wife. She
died in childbirth, but the boy had been posthumously delivered. The child had markings on his chest, a priestly
seal, and he was born speaking and praising G_d. Noah names the boy 'Melchizedek'. In a night vision, next we
find, Nir is told of the impending flood, and he was also informed that the archangel Michael will catch up
Melchizedek unto paradise, thus enabling him to escape the flood waters. It then relates that Melchizedek will
eventually become the High Priest among the people, and in the end times, he will be revealed again as the
High Priest. In this book, Melchizedek has three different earthly manifestations: being born before the Flood,
serving in the postdiluvian age as the Great High Priest, and functioning in the end-time as the (Messianic) Great
High Priest (cf. Gruenewald, pp. 90-92; Delcor, pp. 127-30). Very interesting that they conveniently skip over the
second coming as the appointed Messiah, Savior of the World, while the first and second manifestation are one
in the same. As for this posthumous birth, that sound like things of a fairy tale!

The Church Fathers attest to several heterodox ideas associated with Melchizedek. Hippolytus of Rome
(Refutatio 7.35-36) and Epiphanius of Salamis (Panarion 55) are the most important witnesses to a group of
heretics called Melchizedekians. They had a low Christology and exalted Melchizedek as a heavenly power
superior to Christ. Others equated Melchizedek with the Holy Spirit (Panarion 67), and some "even in the true
church" (i.e., not "heretics") naively regarded Melchizedek as the Son of G_d (Panarion 55.7.3). The later view
seems also to have been present among the monasteries of Egypt (Apophthegmata Patrum, in Patrologia
Graeca 65.160) and was even defended in a treatise on Melchizedek by a fifth-century resident of the Judean
desert, Mark the Hermit (PG 65.1117-40). Such views were eventually overcome by teacher-bishops such as
Cyril of Alexandria (PG 65.160).

From the Jewish point of view, while early rabbis continued to speculate about Melchizedek's role in
scriptures (e.g., equating him with Shem, son of Noah; cf. b. Nedarim 32b; Midrash Gen. R. 44.7; Targum Ps.-J.
Gen. 14:18), a major belief among rabbinic traditions viewed Melchizedek negatively, owing to the fact that
indicates there is some Jewish sensitivity to the use of Melchizedek traditions by Christians (Gianotto, pp. 172-
185).
GNOSTIC WRITINGS:

On December, 1945, in Upper Egypt, long lost ancient texts were discovered revealing that the early
Christians and Jews believed that Melchizedek was a previous manifestation of Jesus, the Messiah. These were
found by an Arab peasant who was digging in the ground in search of fertilizer when he discovered large jars.
These contained parchment scrolls which have been buried since around 390 A.D. These scrolls where hidden
by monks from a nearby monastery to escape destruction under the order of the emerging orthodox Christian
Church that was attempting to destroy all heresy. These texts eventually would be called the Nag Hammadi
Library and they were to date the greatest archeological discovery ever discovered. It was only eclipsed by the
Dead Sea Scroll discovery in Yisrael two years later in 1947. It is also a strange coincidence that these ancient
discoveries containing more valuable information about early Jewish and Christian theology and history should
come forth around the same time, and coincidentally come forth only one year before Yisrael would formally
become a Nation in 1948.

This immensely important discovery in Egypt included the largest number of Christian Gnostic scriptures and
texts to date, with many tests that were once thought to have been entirely destroyed. Some of the scriptures
discovered were the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. One of the Christian
Gnostic texts discovered that speaks to the topic at hand was entitled "Melchizedek". The following quote is from
this text. [... three dots or periods indicates missing fragments or illegible wording.]

"Jesus Christ, the Son of G_d [...] Furthermore, they will say of him that he is unbegotten, though he has been
begotten, (that) he does not eat, even though he eats, (that) he does not drink, even though he drinks, (that) he
is uncircumcised, though he has been circumcised, (that) he is unfleshly, though he has come in the flesh, (that)
he did not come to suffering, <though> he came to suffering, (that) he did not rise from the dead, <though> he
arose from the dead. But all the tribes and all the peoples will speak the truth who are receiving from you
yourself, O Melchizedek, Holy One, High-Priest, the perfect hope and the gifts of life'... And you crucified me
from the third hour of the Sabbath - eve until the ninth hour. And after these things I arose from the dead. My
body came out of the tomb to me. [...] They did not find anyone greeted me [...] They said to me, Be strong,
Melchizedek, great High Priest of God Most High" (Melchizedek Text, The Nag Hammadi Library)

There is little doubt that this quote attributed to Melchizedek refers to him being crucified and resurrected.
Commenting on the Melchizedek text, noted authority Birger A. Pearson states:

"Furthermore, the tractate's apparent identification of Melchizedek with Jesus Christ ... is also documented
elsewhere in early Christianity, particularly in Egypt. We are drawn to the conclusion that, in the revelation which
the priest Melchizedek has received, he has seen that he himself will have a redemptive role to play as the
suffering, dying, resurrected and triumphant Savior, Jesus Christ! ... From what we read ... it seems that the
victory of Jesus Christ is the victory of Melchizedek and that, in fact, they are one and the same... I did and do
understand the text of the first tractate to imply that Melchizedek was prophesied to return again, as Jesus."

Many of these Jewish doctrines were embraced by the Gnostic's and are now reflected in some of the
Christian Gnostic texts preserved in the Coptic manuscripts of the fourth and fifth centuries. In one fragmentary
manuscript, the disciple John asks the Messiah to explain what is said about Melchizedek in Hebrews 7:3.
Unfortunately, the text breaks off before His interpretation is given.

Here it is proposed that Melchizedek IS Jesus Christ. Melchizedek, as Jesus Christ, lives, preaches, dies and
is resurrected, in a Gnostic perspective. The Coming of the Son of G_d Melchizedek speaks of His return to
bring peace, supported by the G_ds, and He is a priest-king who dispenses justice.

A fragmentary text from Nag Hammadi (IX.1: Melchizedek) contains an apocalypse given by angels to
Melchizedek, "priest of G_d Most High." It is revealed to Melchizedek that he will ultimately reappear as Jesus
Christ, Son of G_d, to do battle with the cosmic forces of darkness (Satan). Here one can see influence not only
from the Epistle to the Hebrews but also from non-Christian (Hebrew) lore. Also in the Second Book of Jeu,
"Zorokothora Melchizedek" is a heavenly priest who presides over a heavenly baptism. However, no trace of
influence from Hebrews is found in this text. The most developed levels of speculation on Melchizedek, also
lacking any influence from Hebrews, are found in Pistis Sophia, Book 4, in which Melchizedek plays a key role in
the process of purifying human souls for entry into the "Treasury of Light" and transferring them from the domain
of the archons, or earthly rulers, to that heavenly region. The younger material in books 1-3 of Pistis Sophia
develops these ideas further: Melchizedek is a heavenly being who seals the saved souls upon their entry into
the realm of light.

And while some early rabbis continued to speculate on Melchizedek's role in scriptures (e.g., equating him
with Shem, son of Noah; cf. b. Nedarim 32b; Midrash Gen. R. 44.7; Targum Ps.-J. Gen. 14:18), a major stream
of rabbinic tradition viewed Melchizedek negatively, a fact that indicates some Jewish sensitivity to the use of
Melchizedek traditions by Christians (Gianotto, pp. 172-85).
MESSIANIC HEBREWS WRITINGS:

In 1947, scrolls from the Jewish Essenes were discovered which affirmed that they believed Melchizedek was
Shem and that He would be reborn as the Messiah. These ancient scrolls were of profound importance when
discovered by young Bedouin shepherds, searching for a stray goat around the Dead Sea in Yisrael, were
throwing rocks and heard a jar break. He entered an undiscovered cave and found jars filled with ancient scrolls.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were scrolls from a monastic group known as the Essenes, dated to be about two
thousand years old. The Essenes were an apocalyptic Jewish sect who withdrew from society and established a
community on the shores of the Dead Sea. It is believed that sometime during the Roman-Jewish war of 66-70
A.D. the Essenes hid their sacred writings in these caves.

The Essenes believed in the doctrine of Pre-existent and Born Again and it appears they had been influenced
by Gnosticism. The Dead Sea Scrolls prove that the Jewish mystical tradition of divine union went back to the
first century, and perhaps some scrolls to the third century B.C. Many Biblical Scholars were disturbed by what
they found in the Dead Sea Scrolls because they had not known to the extent the amount of the origin of some
Christianity doctrines and practices that were actually based in Judaism first and it was not what most had
commonly supposed how it had been. The Jews did not like considering how Judaism had changed, and in turn
the Christians felt that the Jews had taken many doctrines, ordinances, and beliefs that they thought were
unique to their faith, such as baptism and the sacrament. Judaism and Christianity both shocked to find that they
also had doctrines, ordinances, and beliefs that were common in Mormonism like baptism for the dead and
eternal marriage covenants. Because of these new findings, translation of these records were hidden, stalled, or
never completed for nearly 50 years, and even now some translations are intentionally not being done. They felt
that they had to get ahead of these findings and release it very slowly so as not to make huge issues when
published that would draw close attention to the findings by their members.

The first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus stated that the Pharisees were believers in reincarnation.
Josephus has several long passages dealing with the reincarnation beliefs of both the Essenes and the
Pharisees. Josephus writes that the Jews in their secret or esoteric doctrines called the Kabbalah taught
reincarnation openly. This was how Melchizedek or Shem being born again as the Messiah was so easily
embraced. In the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, they yielded a series of thirteen fragments on
Melchizedek which identifies Melchizedek as the one who will carry out the vengeance of God's judgments and
the one who delivers the people from the hand of Belial and the spirits of his lot. These acts and deeds are
things which most agree will be what the Messiah is prophesied to do.

The belief that Melchizedek was the Messiah was a strongly held conviction among the Qumran community,
as well as among some other Jewish and Gnostic sects in the first century A.D. This becomes apparent in the
text entitled "The Last Jubilee" (Dead Sea Scroll: 11Q13, Column 2) about the coming of Melchizedek as the
Messiah. "The Last Jubilee" is a sermon within the "Melchizedek Texts" (also known as "I IQ Melchizedek Text"
or " I I Q Melchizedek"). The following is a summary of this sermon:

The Last Jubilee text refers in messianic terms to a future King of Righteousness. In the text, this King of
Righteousness is described as passing judgment on Belial [Satan] and his followers. After the judgment in
heaven comes the destruction of those who have followed Belial rather than God. The text states that "the one
designed, by God's favor, for the King of Righteousness (which is what, by his very name, Melchizedek
prefigures) will come into his dominion." The time of his coming "into his dominion" is identified as the period
which Isaiah termed the year of favor or "acceptable year of the Lord" ("The Last Jubilee") The Biblical reference
for this can be found in Isaiah 61:1-2:

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the
afflicted, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the
prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn ..." (Isaiah 61:1-2, [KJV])

The Messiah made his first appearance in Nazareth and spoke at the synagogue there, reading from the scroll
which contained the book of Isaiah, that had been handed to him. Luke 4:17-19 records that he then found and
read the two verses quoted above but stopped after the phrase "acceptable year of the Lord." Bible scholars
concluded that by suspending reading without referring to God's day of vengeance, Jesus was distinguishing
between his present ministry of grace and the second (third) advent when he would carry out God's judgments.
On the other hand, his stopping after that phrase may have been for the purpose of emphasis, for it truly was the
"year of the Lord." After the Messiah had concluded his reading, in verse 21 He added:

"And he began to say unto them, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'" (Luke 4:21)

Thus in Luke 4:21, the Messiah seems to identify himself as the one promised by Isaiah "to proclaim the year
of the Lord's favor" when he said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And the Melchizedek
Texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls identify Melchizedek as the person who will fulfill that prophecy.

In the text "Commentary on the Book of Habakkuk," the "Teacher of Righteousness" is referred to as one "to
whom God has made known all the mysteries of His servants the prophets." This Teacher of Righteousness was
expected to return and usher in the Messianic Age and according to Jewish tradition it is to be Elijah or Phinehas
or Melchizedek. At least one respected Dead Sea Scroll authority stated that Jesus (the Messiah) in these
documents "appears in many respects as an astonishing reincarnation of the Teacher of Righteousness."

The Qumran "Melchizedek Texts" contain several comments which seem clearly to identify the so-called "King
of Righteousness," a title referring to Melchizedek, as the promised Messiah. They discuss the role of this future
King in overthrowing Belial and executing God's avenging judgment and clearly state that this King will be
"Melchizedek redivivus" (reincarnated). One scholar has summarized the document thusly:

"In this fragment, written in Hebrew, Melchizedek appears as an eschatological savior who has a heritage. His
mission is to bring back at the end of days the exiles to announce to them their liberation ... and the expiation of
their sins." (I IQ Melchizedek text)

For as a whole, most accepted Christian writings unanimously say they do not know who Melchizedek was. In
the latter days, as we shall see hereafter, the Restoration Churches almost all profess as to not having a clue
who Melchizedek is, and only speculate that He might be Shem. However, there are a few post Messianic era
Jewish writings and a few Christian writings that attempt to reveal the true identity of Melchizedek.

In the Second Book of Enoch or Slavonic Enoch, a 1st century AD work, contained in the last section, is the
'Exaltation of Melchizedek'. In this text (chaps. 71-72), it tells how Melchizedek was miraculously born of a virgin,
who was Sofonim or Sopanima, the wife of Nir, and the brother of Noah. It tells of how the child came out from
his mother after she had died at his birth and sat on the bed beside her corpse, already physically developed,
clothed, speaking and blessing the Lord, and was marked on his chest with a priestly seal, as a badge of
priesthood.

In a night vision Nir is told of the impending flood; he is also informed that the archangel Michael will bring
Melchizedek to paradise, thus enabling him to escape the flood waters. Melchizedek will eventually become the
chief of priests among the people, and in the end of days he will be revealed yet another time as the chief priest.
In this text, Melchizedek has three different earthly manifestations: born before the Flood, serving in the
postdiluvian age as a great priest, and functioning in the end-time as a messianic priest. It was forty days after
His birth, that Melchizedek was taken by the archangel Michael (Gabriel in some manuscripts copies) to the
Garden of Eden and was preserved from the Deluge without having to be on Noah's Ark. (2 Enoch, Chapters
69–72).

This shows an understanding of Melchizedek's being equated with the Messiah being born of a virgin birth,
but this story is just that, a story! It is clear they are not even aware as to that Gabriel is Noah. Things here are
also missing the revealed truths such as Melchizedek was Shem, Noah's Son, not his Nephew, and He was on
the Ark. Also, there is the impossibility of a baby birthing himself, coming out fully clothed and speaking, that is
just over the top! And just what do you think a seal or badge of Priesthood looks like? Circumcision? He was
born circumcised? Why not throw in that He had already been baptized and ordained a High Priest, and married
to a dozen women! I agree He has three comings, with the one in the Meridian of Time being the pinnacle of His
earthly ministries.

In analyzing the Epistle to the Hebrews, based on the evidence found in the Qumran or Dead Sea Scrolls,
Hebrews follows this interpretation in stating explicitly that Melchizedek was far more important then just some
average mortal or even a Prophet. In 1QapGen, as it was one of the seven original Dead Sea Scrolls discovered
in Cave 1. An important witness to pre-Christian Jewish speculation in a text on Melchizedek that has surfaced
among the Dead Sea Scrolls is: 11QMelch. It is a fragment of Hebrew text, usually dated to the first or second
century B.C. (found in Cave 11 at Qumran), and features Melchizedek is seen as a divine Being with Hebrew
titles of G_d being applied to Him. According, in this text, Melchizedek is also a heavenly end-time redeemer,
with attributes of the archangel Michael. He will proclaim the "Day of Atonement" (Judgment) and He will have
atone for the people who are predestined unto Him. He also will judge all peoples. These are the very same
Messianic prophesied deeds that Yahshua is to perform on the last day. Melchizedek appears in the tenth and
final jubilee of world history to rescue the elect, the "men of the lot of Melchizedek", and doing battle with Belial
and his fellow evil spirits. Melchizedek's triumph is described as a high-priestly act of "expiation".

In the Genesis Apocryphon, also called the 'Tales of the Patriarchs' or the 'Apocalypse of Lamech' and was
labeled thus by the translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls, it tells that Melchizedek is brought into connection with
Jerusalem. Comments that the presented tithe was not a standard tithe as described in the Torah (given on an
annual basis), but was a one-time "tribute offering" (trumat ha-mekhes, ‫)תרומת המכס‬, such as Moses gave to
G_d in Numbers 31:41.

Expressing a kabbalistic point of view, the Zohar commentary to Genesis 14 cites Rabbi Yitzchak as saying
that it was G_d who gave a tithe to Abram in the form of removing the Hebrew letter He from his own throne of
glory and presenting it to the soul of Abram for his benefit. (Zohar Chodosh to Bereishit chap. 14 (the Zohar text,
however, does not state that a name change to "Abra-ha-m" occurred at this point)).Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk
(1843–1926) interprets the phrase "And he gave him tithe from all" as a verbal continuation of Melchizedek's
speech, i.e., Melchizedek exclaimed that G_d had chosen to gift Abram a tenth of G_d's possession of the entire
human race (consisting of seventy nations as described in Genesis) in the form of the seven nations of the land
of Canaan, including the cities of Sodom that Abram succeeded in saving. Rabbi Meir Simcha argues that
continued speech of this sort was a common form of prophetic expression. (i.e. beginning in a form of talking to
the person directly and ending the speech as speaking for the recipient – Meshech Chochma to Bereishit chap.
14). Hebrews Chapter 7 verses 1 and 4 in the New Testament state that the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of
the spoil to Melchizedek.

The Samaritan Pentateuch reads ‫( שלמו‬lit. "his peace" or in contextual flow "allied with him") in place of the
Masoretic ‫( שלם‬Salem), with addition of a letter ‫( ו‬vav). Some views the Samaritan wording as authentic (melek
shelomo (‫שלמו‬-‫)מלך‬, "of his peace", instead of melek Salem, "king of Jerusalem", brought out bread and wine..."
"Abram the Hebrew: A New Archaeological Interpretation") as does the Bereishit 14, verse 5) Regarding the
residence of Malkizedek, Samaritan tradition identified a "Salem" as a place on the slopes of Mount Gerizim
which served as a blessing place of the children of Yesrael upon their initial crossing of the Jordan river. The
Samaritans allocate Gerizim (and not Jerusalem) as the site intended for the Temple, and thus the "‫ "שלמו‬text
serves an obvious sectarian purpose. Yet, it is not solely associated with the Samaritans, being found also in the
3rd or 2nd century BC in the Book of Jubilees and even in the Septuagint version of Genesis.

The Catholic Encyclopedia seems to indicate that the connection between Shem and Melchizedek was
developed by the Rabbi's to suit their own purposes:
“The Rabbins [Rabbi's] identified Melchisedech with Sem, son of Noe, rather for polemic than historic
reasons, since they wished to set themselves against what is said of him as a type of Christ "without father,
without mother, without genealogy" (The Catholic Encyclopedia, vii, 3).

In the Epistle to the Hebrews the typical character of Melchisedech and its Messianic import are fully
explained. Christ is "a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech" (Heb,. vii, 6; Ps., cix, 4); "a high
priest forever", etc. (Heb., vi, 20), ...i.e. order or manner (Gesenius), not after the manner of Aaron. The Apostle
develops his teaching in Heb., vii: Melchisedech was a type by reason (a) of his twofold dignity as priest and
king, (b) by reason of his name, "king of justice", (c) by reason of the city over which he ruled, "King of Salem,
that is, king of peace" (v.2), and also (d) because he "without father, without mother, without genealogy, having
neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of G_d, continueth a priest forever" (v.3). The
silence of Scripture about the facts of Melchisedech's birth and death was a part of the divine plan to make him
prefigure more strikingly the mysteries of Christ's generation, the eternity of His priesthood."
[John J. Tierney, "Melchisedech" The Catholic Encyclopedia, 15 Vols., eds. Charles G. Herbermann, et al
(New York: The Encyclopedia Press, 1913), 10:157]

Interestingly, an early Jewish source, Flavius Josephus is completely silent regarding any connection
between Shem and Melchizedek, but then he was Jewish.
 James L. Kugel indicates that "some scholars have suggested that this was first done in the context of later
Jewish-Christian polemics: if Melchizedek was actually Shem, then he was the ancestor of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, and the idea of a priesthood extending back through him was less disturbing to Jews than the notion of a
"priest of G_d Most High" who lacked any connection to the Jewish people or the later levitical priesthood." He
goes on to say that:
“It seems likely, however, that Melchizedek's identification with Shem actually came about before any
Christian arguments existed (and certainly before the time when Christian arguments seemed to Jews to require
refutation). After all, who was Melchizedek to early interpreters? Why was the genealogy of such an important
person--the "priest of G_d Most High," no less--not mentioned? Identifying him as Shem, whose genealogy was
known, provided an answer, and an easily accepted one.”
[James L. Kugel, Tradtions of the Bible: A Guide to the Bible as it was at the Start of the Common Era
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999), 289-290]

It is interesting to note that Kugel alludes to the idea that Melchizedek, "could be understood as an honorific
title given to Shem..."
[James L. Kugel, Tradtions of the Bible: A Guide to the Bible as it was at the Start of the Common Era
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999), 290]

When the answer comes, it should satisfy the arguments on either side of the matter.
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES:

Let us now examining the Christian Scriptures, the New Testament, that speak about the man called
Melchizedek, for additional light that may answer these questions:

Melchizedek is references to only nine times in one book in the New Testament, that of the Epistle to the
Hebrews (5:6-10; 6:20; 7:1-17 [specifically:5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17, 21]), which was written in the 1st
century AD (most likely 63 or 64 AD). In the Old Testament, Melchizedek is considered a type of the "great high
priest", and within the New Covenant, Yahshua, the Messiah is the Great High Priest, where He is said to be "a
priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" quoting this from Psalms 110:4 (see below, Hebrews 5:6 [& 10]). In
the Book of Hebrews 5th chapter, we find:

“1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he
may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also
is compassed with infirmity.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my
Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and
tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
(Hebrews 5:1-10, [KJV])

This speaks of the Lessor Priesthoods, Levi and Aaronic, being called and ordained from among men, They
having faults being ignorant and compressed with infirmities and sin. That the Messiah was made a High Priest
forever, being called of G_d after the order of Melchisedec. The instruction along these lines continues in
Hebrews 6 chapter:

“13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by
himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his
counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong
consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that
within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec.”
(Hebrews 6:13-20, [KJV])

Here reconfirming the Covenant of Abraham, showing to what lengths G_d went to make for a surety to us,
the heirs of the Promise that He will fulfill His word by an Oath, that will sustain us even all the days of our lives.
Then at great revelation is revealed here: the Messiah is the forerunner who has entered before us, was made
an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. If we are to enter as the forerunner did, then we too must
eventually be made an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, to enter.

We see this in Hebrews 7, where it is said that Melchizedek "resembles the Son of G_d" (Hebrews 7:3).
Melchizedek's priesthood therefore is superior to the Levitical priesthood that the "descendants of Levi"
possessed (Heb. 7:5). If Melchizedek priesthood is a foreshadowing of the priesthood of the Son of God, as it
says in Hebrews 7:3, then this becomes the foundation for what a few Christian then interpret who Melchizedek
was, that he was in fact the Son of G_d. Now let us continue our reading in Hebrews, in the 7 chapter:

“1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the
slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and
after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but
made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the
spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a
commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come
out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had
the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what
further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after
the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance
at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh
unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord
sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever
liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the
people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the
law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”
(Hebrews 7:1-28, [KJV])

We obtain our answer, Abraham paid Tithe to Melchizedek because Melchizedek possessed a greater
Priesthood. When Abraham went away, it is recorded that he exclaimed, Now I have a Priesthood! Here in
Hebrew, it is made clear the differences of the lessor Priesthoods verses an eternal everlasting Priesthood which
Melchizedek possessed, and which has power to continually save and how this Priesthood was obtained! For
because the Messiah (Melchizedek), he continues and lives forever, He hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto G_d by Him, seeing He lives forever to
make intercession for them. For such the Messiah (Melchizedek) became a High Priest unto us, He who is holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
 Melchizedek, who offered up sacrifice, first for those whom had been given Him, and then for the people's
who repent: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the LAW maketh men high priests which have
infirmity, but the WORD of the oath (from G_d), which was (fulfilled after) since the Law, maketh the Son, who is
consecrated forevermore, becoming our Savior from sin and death. This is what the Melchizedek Priesthood is, it
is a Priesthood that comes by Oath, Oath of the Eternal Son (not by oneself, unless you are the Eternal Son)!
This Oath must come by one who is a High Priest with an oath by Himself that saith unto you, G_d swear and
will not repent, 'Thou art a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (the King of Righteousness)!'

Whom is this King? He is a Great High Priest unto the Most High G_d, Eli (El Elyon). He the King of
righteousness; and after that was also called the King of Salem, which is, the King of peace. Melchizedek's
birthright is without Father, without Mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life
(years); but made like unto the Son of G_d; abideth a Priest continually. What Priest? Melchizedek! Did you
notice that it speaks of no parentage and posterity, and no mention of heritage? He is adopted unto G_d, the
Most High G_d, and obtains the same traits as El Elyon (the Most High G_d), without beginning of days, nor end
of years; but made like unto the Son of El Elyon (Yahovahs); abideth a Priest unto Him forever. Aman.

What mortal man would we call this Greater Priesthood after? None! What mortal man would we call the King
of Righteousness? None! Then Melchizedek must be more than a common mortal man. Who else had claim to
this Priesthood of the Son of G_d before the Son of G_d was revealed or manifested unto the world? Certainly
not just some common mortal man. He was translated and Him and all His people were lifted up and obtained
Zion, which had fled, before the flood.

This association of Christ with Melchizedek is made very explicit by the author of the 'Epistle to the Hebrews',
who was not Paul, but was either Priscilla, a women, or it was Luke or even possibly by Clement. Here
Melchizedek is referred to as the "king of righteousness" and the "king of peace" and is associated with the
"eternal priesthood" of the Son of G_d. The association of Jesus, the Messiah with Old Testament characters
occurs frequently in the New Testament; with the Messiah being associated with Adam (as in the 'New', 'Last', or
'Second' Adam) and where He becoming the 'Second' Son of G_d, after Adam.

Being after the order of Melchizedek, which is understood, first, as being in accordance with the name.
Therefore the Messiah is the true Melchizedek. Second, it is understood in accordance with the office of
Melchizedek, that because Melchizedek offered the Emblems of the New Covenant to Abraham, being 'bread
and wine', it was most likely Uriel, the Archangel who was Melchizedek and later the Messiah, 'Yahshua Ben
Daved, Ha Mashiach'.

Most traditional Protestant Christian denominations, teach that Melchizedek was a historical figure that was
an archetype of Christ. Also many theologians noted that this relationship between Melchizedek and Jesus was
also one where Melchizedek is an Old Testament Christophany, or in other words, Melchizedek was Jesus. The
early church fathers attest to several heterodox ideas associated with Melchizedek. Some equated Melchizedek
with the Holy Spirit (Panarion 67), while others regarded Melchizedek as the Son of God (Panarion 55.7.3). The
later view seems also to have been present among the monasteries of Egypt (Apophthegmata Patrum, in
Patrologia Graeca 65.160) and was even defended in a treatise on Melchizedek by a fifth-century resident of the
Judean desert, Mark the Hermit (PG 65.1117-40). Such views were eventually overcome by teacher-bishops
such as Cyril of Alexandria (PG 65.160) to their discredit and shame in history, that will be revealed at the end of
times (NOW!).
LATTER DAY RESTORATION SCRIPTURES:

Now let us look at the last Dispensation thus far, the Latter Day Restoration, started by the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and become known as Mormonism and thereafter as Latter-Day Saints (LDS). We will look at all the
Messianic scriptures in their cannons to see what new insights they have, on our quest for the truth as to who
Melchizedek was and a full understanding of His complete mission here in this Creation, unto all mankind!
In the Book of Mormon, it makes reference to Melchizedek, in Alma 13:

“1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time [a future time, that you should
remember] when the Lord God gave these commandments [see the scripture below here, that “these
Commandments” is referenced to and is found above in the scriptures, Alma 12] unto his children; and I
would that ye should remember that [In this future time] the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order,
which was after the order of his Son [the Melchizedek Priesthood], to teach these things unto the people
[here and now].
2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might
know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.
3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation
of the world [Fourth Estate Males] according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith
and good works [in a previous creation, or creations]; in the first place being left to choose good or evil [in
their Second Estate]; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called
with a holy calling [Holy Anointing, Third or Millennial Estate, of that creation], yea, with that holy calling which
was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such [received their 'Election', passing on
into the Fourth Estate and are called mine Elect, they whom possess their Calling and Election].
4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the
Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been
for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren [who have come into this creation to help
perfect it, and serve as G_d's emissary in a world where He cannot come personally, to serve!].
5 Or in fine, in the first place they were [once upon or] on the same standing with their brethren [here];
thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their
hearts [foreordined and are predestined], being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who
was prepared [that they shall yet be redeemed again]—
6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God
[the Melchizedek Priesthood], to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might
enter into his rest— [Aman!]
7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world;
or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity
[from creation unto all creations], according to his foreknowledge of all things— [it was in the plan from the
beginning, they are who they are!]
8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called [in that Estate, by the Calling of G_d's own
voice] with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of
the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end— [making their
Callings and Elections Sure!]
9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who
is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.
10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order [of these Beings], or this high priesthood, there were many
[Fourth Estate Beings] who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their
exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work
righteousness rather than to perish;
11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed
white through the blood of the Lamb [before the foundations of this world and creation!].
12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and
spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly
great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God [and pasted their previous
Estates].
13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet
for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest [like they have].
14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest
 after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.
15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid
tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.
16 Now these ordinances [and Commandments] were given after this manner, that thereby the people
might look forward on the Son of God [whom Melchizedek was], it being a type of his order [Only Begotten
Sons of G_d], or it being his order [Melchizedek or God's order], and this that they might look forward to him
[Melchizedek] for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.
17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem [Peace]; and his people had waxed strong in
iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;
18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood [the Only
Begotten] according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people [His Children]. And
behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called
the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem [King of Peace]; and he did reign under his [Eternal] father
[Yah].
19 Now, there were many [Messiah's] before him, and also there were many [Messiah's] afterwards, but
none were greater [HERE!, for He would return in the Meridian of time as the actual Messiah of this
creation!]; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.
20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before
you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.”
[Alma 13:1–20, with added comments in brackets]

To fill in the unspoken words of truth, is not wrestling the scriptures. It is to understand the veiled truths that
are being revealed unto the righteous (to those whom are faithful). So what were these Commandments given
unto his children, personally command of them, through the hearing and understanding. It says in Alma 12, one
chapter before, concerning these Commandments, that one must choose the GOOD!

“31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments
[First Estate Commandments] as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from
evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and
pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good—
32 Therefore God gave unto them [another] commandments [Second Estate Commandments], after
having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being
a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness [the permanent
and complete removal of God's spirit]; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works
of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.
33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which would
hereafter be laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you,
through mine Only Begotten Son [who will come again in the flesh];
34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through
mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.
35 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not
enter into my rest [but shall die the second death].
36 And now, my brethren, behold I say unto you, that if ye will harden your hearts ye shall not enter into
the rest of the Lord; therefore your iniquity provoketh him that he sendeth down his wrath upon you as in the
first provocation, yea, according to his word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the everlasting
destruction of your souls; therefore, according to his word, unto the last death, as well as the first [this being
an example of the pattern of Hebraic prophesying, that you might hear and know the truth].
37 And now, my brethren, seeing we know these things, and they are true, let us repent, and harden not
our hearts, that we provoke not the Lord our God to pull down his wrath upon us in these his second
commandments [or Second Estate] which he has given unto us; but let us enter into the rest of God, which is
prepared according to his word.” [for those whom love Him and willing obey!]
[Alma 12:31-37, with added comments in brackets]

The Second Commandments was to REPENT and HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART! What was the First
Commandment, and where and when were they given? Alma tells us:

“21 What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east
of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live
forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever.
 22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain. Now we see that Adam did fall
by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, all
mankind became a lost and fallen people.
23 And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been possible for Adam to have partaken of the fruit of the
tree of life at that time, there would have been no death, and the word would have been void, making God a
liar, for he said: If thou eat thou shalt surely die. [Hence Adam and His Eves were foreordained and even
predestined to partake, of only the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil, which is the knowledge of Men and
Women.]
24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek,
which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent;
therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that
endless state [the Millennial world] which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection [raising] of
the dead.
25 Now, if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was laid from the foundation of the world,
there could have been no resurrection of the dead; but there was a plan of redemption laid, which shall bring
to pass the resurrection [raising] of the dead, of which has been spoken.
26 And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree
of life they would have been forever miserable [no posterity], having no preparatory state [for their children];
and thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of God would have been void,
taking none effect.
27 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto men that they must die; and after death, they must
come to judgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.
28 And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man [the plan of redemption], behold,
then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things [the plan of redemption]
whereof he had appointed unto them;
29 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold of his glory.
30 And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made
known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this
he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.” [Aman!]
[Alma 12:21-30, with added comments in brackets]

So the First Commandment was given unto men by Angels and even G_d Himself, after Adam and His Eve's
were cast out of the Garden of Eden. Here is the original wording of the giving of the First Commandments:

“16 … Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest
thereof thou shalt surely die.”
(Genesis 2:16-17, [KJV])

It was not given in the form of a possible consequence that 'IF' our first Parents broke this commandment,
there is a set punishment. It says, “for in the day thou eatest” (for they SHALL partake), they shall suffer the set
punishment of death, upon that day (one day equaling 1000 years)! And in turn we have all partaken, and of
necessity we shall ALL surely die. Alma also said:

“9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the
mysteries of God (which would include this Mystery); nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that
they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men,
according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he
that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know
the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know
nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to
destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. ... [or chains of darkness, see Jude in the New
Testament.]
21 What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east
of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live
forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever.
22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain. Now we see that Adam did fall
 by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, all
mankind became a lost and fallen people.”
[Alma 12:9-11, 21-22, with added comments in brackets]

So why have I diverted off onto this topic? How does this apply to Melchizedek? What did Alma have to say
concerning this? He pointed out that the Plan of Salvation, being the Plan of Redemption was from before the fall
of our First Parents, it was from the foundations of the earth. It is that the Messiah, Yahshua Ha Mashiach, who
was also Abel (Adam/Michael's first heir, who was the first to have His blood shed and to die) and that
Shem/Melchizedek (Noah/Gabriel's heir, who was also the Messiah, Yahshua Ha Mashiach) who was from the
foundations of this realm in the earth, was laying the foundation of the Father's Plan of Redemption for all
mankind from the beginning! For it would be and was Yahshua who was appointed from the foundations of the
earth, that would then come down in the Meridian (middle) of Time (4000 years after the fall), to become a literal
blood sacrifice for the sins of all humanity and the one who would atone for the braking of the first command
(specifically for those given Him, who are those whom will repent and harden not their hearts, as foreseen by
G_d).

The knowledge of these Fourth and Fifth Estate Beings, coming down more than once into a creation, to work
on missions given them by G_d, while they continue to work on their own weaknesses and perfections, is one of
those most guarded Mysteries of G_d. When a Being comes down before the Diluvial Flood (in that terrestrial
realm), or into any Millennial realm (which is a Terrestrial Realm but not a Terrestrial kingdom), those comings
are not counted as one of their Eternal Lives. Terrestrial Realms are a time for testing Third and Fourth Estates
Beings while they are outside of a Veiled Estate (to see if they will be obedient, having a perfect knowledge of
G_d, and their prior deeds in eternity) and it is here that the men are first given real priesthood power, the
Melchizedek Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of the Living G_d.

The Prophet Joseph Smith added an additional fifteen verses to Genesis 14. In this chapter in the Joseph
Smith Translation (JST), also called at other times, the 'Inspired Version', it reveals many precious truths about
Melchizedek, our Messiah to be, who has become:

“26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God,
and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.
27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant
which God made with Enoch,
28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by
father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;
29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many
as believed on his name.
30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being
ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to
dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;
31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the
presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and
powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was before the foundation of the world.
32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.
33 And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called
the Prince of peace.
34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which
God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the
world;
35 And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together; and the
sons of God should be tried so as by fire.
36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his
people, or, in other words, the King of peace.
37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the
storehouse of God;
38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.
39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which
God had given him more than that which he had need.
40 And it came to pass, that God blessed Abram, and gave unto him riches, and honor, and lands for an
 everlasting possession; according to the covenant which he had made, and according to the blessing
wherewith Melchizedek had blessed him.”
(Genesis 14:26-40, [JST])

Joseph Smith also added additional changes to the 15th Chapter of Genesis (KJV), we will look at the real
importance of these additions, hereafter under 'Restoration Writings'. In verses 9–12 (compare with Genesis
15:1–6, [KJV]), Abraham learns of the Resurrection and sees a vision of the Messiah’s mortal ministry.

“9 And Abram said, Lord God, how wilt thou give me this land for an everlasting inheritance?
10 And the Lord said, Though thou wast dead, yet am I not able to give it thee?
11 And if thou shalt die, yet thou shalt possess it, for the day cometh, that the Son of Man shall live; but
how can he live if he be not dead? he must first be quickened.
12 And it came to pass, that Abram looked forth and saw the days of the Son of Man, and was glad, and
his soul found rest, and he believed in the Lord; and the Lord counted it unto him for righteousness.”
(Genesis 15:9-12, [JST])
LATTER DAY RESTORATION WRITINGS:

Who was Melchizedek, from the view of those who founded the beginning of the Latter Day Restoration? John
Taylor said in the Times and Seasons, while he was the Editor, published that “the superior knowledge of men
like Noah, Shem, (who was Melchisedec) and Abram, the father of the faithful, three contemporaries, holding the
keys of the highest order of the priesthood”. Did he get such a revelation and understanding from himself or was
it from the lips of Joseph Smith? Most assuredly, it would have been from his Dispensation King, Joseph Smith,
for such an all encompassing declaration! That they were contemporaries, holding the highest order of
Priesthood, and revealing the Dispensation Presidency, the Prophet (Abraham), Priest (Shem /Melchizedek),
and King (Noah). Here is the more complete quote to see it in context:

“From this definite account of driving the "nations apart, when the ancient hills did bow," all reflecting
minds may judge that man was scattered over the whole face of the earth: And with the superior knowledge
of men like Noah, Shem, (who was Melchisedec) and Abram, the father of the faithful, three contemporaries,
holding the keys of the highest order of the priesthood: connecting the creation, and fall; memorializing the
righteousness of Enoch; and glorying in the construction of the ark for the salvation of a world; still retaining
the model and pattern of that ark, than which a great, ah, we may say, half so great a vessel has never been
built since; for another ark, be it remembered, with such a ponderous living freight will never be prepared as a
vessel of mercy by command of Jehovah:”
[Times and Seasons, Ancient Ruins, Vol. 5 p.746, Nauvoo, Illinois, December 15, 1844. Elder John Taylor,
Editor]

This was published scarcely six months after the Martyrdom of Hyrum and Joseph, and remember John Taylor
was one who also suffered in Carthage Jail those many months with the Dispensation Priest and King. John
Taylor would go on to become the Third President of the LDS Church. You can hardly find a man greater than
John Taylor who revealed the truths of Joseph's sayings more accurately correct, and it was John Taylor who
published that Melchizedek was Shem!

References between Shem and Melchizedek appears in subsequent biblical verses: Genesis 14:18-20; I
Samuel 13; Psalm 110:1-10; Matthew 22:44 & 26:26-28; Luke 22:19; Mark 14:22; John 6:53; Acts 2:34; I
Corinthians 11:23-25; Hebrews 4:14-15 & 5:6, 10; 6:19-20; 7:1-21; and finally Revelation 1:6. These scriptural
accounts along with John Taylor, as Editor publishing his statement in the Times and Seasons, in Nauvoo, show
that the Saints were aware of this fact at least in the beginning of the Dispensation!

The main issue for many that misleads them is the wording found in the Doctrine and Covenants 84:

“Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his
fathers, even till Noah;”
[Doctrine & Covenants 84:14]

Now if Noah were His father, many think it would not say, "who received it through the lineage of his fathers", it
would just say, who received it from His father, Noah. But it says that He “received it through the lineage of his
fathers”, because this was His Priesthood Lineage that they were speaking of, 'his Fathers' being inclusive rather
than individually as in who his parentage were, which would be given as being singular 'his Father'.

Another possible way that John Taylor and the Saints come to this belief that Shem was Melchizedek, if it was
not from Joseph Smith, may likely have come from the Book of Jasher, which says:

“And Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his
people, with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech.”
[Book of Jasher 16:11-12]

For those who may be wondering what this book is about, the Book of Jasher is a collection of Jewish legends
that some believe are arcane and esoteric in nature relating to biblical history. As the Prophet worked on the
Inspired Translation of the Bible, in the spring of 1832 Joseph Smith said, “From sundry revelations which have
been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man, had been taken from
the Bible, or lost before it was compiled.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 245)
 In a letter sent to some of the Church leaders in June of 1833, he indicated that the interest in missing
scripture had not been lost, for he wrote:

We have not found the Book of Jasher, nor any other of the lost books mentioned in the Bible as
yet; nor will we obtain them at present. Respecting the Apocrypha, the Lord said to us that there
were many things in it which were not true, and to those who desire it, should be given by the Spirit
to know the true from the false. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, p.363; see also Times
and Seasons (Nauvoo, IL), 15 February 1845, p.800)

In June of 1840, a notice from the New York Sun was published in Nauvoo, Illinois. The following is an extract
from that notice:

The Book of Jasher

We shall shortly have a literary, or rather a Biblical curiosity, to present to the American reader,
which we feel confident in predicting, will excite great interest among those who take pleasure in
reading and studying the Scriptures. It is the Book of Jasher referred to in the Bible, in Joshua, and
in the second book of Samuel, and which has been in the progress of translation from the Hebrew
for several years in England, and is now completed, and will be published in a few days in this city. .
. . It is full of interest, and written with a warmth of piety and sacred devotion, worthy of taking an
equal rank with any of the missing books, not strictly canonical. It does not differ with the Bible in a
single instance, but amplifies the events recorded in Scripture, with the single difference in
chronology of some 50 years, by making Noah and Abraham contemporary—commencing with the
creation of Adam, and ending with the death of Joshua. . . . The discovery of missing books referred
to in the Scripture, and the many yet to be discovered, joined to the singular signs of the times in
relation to the chosen people, give great interest to this and similar works.—This Book, which
makes nearly three hundred pages, clears up some points somewhat obscure in the Bible, and is
very full in detailing the events of the reign of Nimrod; the building of the Tower of Babel, and
confusion of tongues; the causes preceding the destruction of the doomed cities; the sacrifice of
Isaac and the life of Joseph; and has some curious facts about the deluge. (Times and Seasons, 1
(June 1840): p.127)

The Sefer haYashar (first edition 1552 or 1613) is a Hebrew midrash also known as the Toledot Adam and
Dibre ha-Yamim be-'Aruk. The Hebrew title may be translated Sefer haYashar (‫" )ספר הישר‬Book of the Correct
Record" but it is known in the English translation mostly as The Book of Jasher being published into English in
1840 in New York, from the Venice Italy copy, 1625. It became fairly popular among the Latter-Day Saints, even
being reprinted in Salt Lake during the 1880's. The book is mentioned twice in the Hebrew Bible:

First in the Book of Joshua, while Joshua was winning a battle against Adonizedek (king of Jerusalem) and his
allies, Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to stand still. Joshua 10:13 then states:

“And the Sun stood still, and the Moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves on their enemies.
Is this not written in Sefer HaYashar?” (Joshua 10:13)

The presence of this event in a book of poetry has been interpreted as a poetic description of this prolonged
battle. According to the medieval Jewish scholar Rashi, "Sefer HaYashar" in this verse refers to the Pentateuch:
Jacob's prophecy regarding Joshua's ancestor Ephraim, “His seed will fill the nations”, which was fulfilled when
Joshua's victory gave him renown among the various nations who heard of the victory.

Second account is in the Book of Samuel: when David spoke his lament over the deaths of Saul and
Jonathan, he began as follows: “To teach the Sons of Judah the use of the bow; behold it is written in the book of
Jasher”. In the King James Version (KJV) it included the words "the use of" in italics, material which the King's
translators added in order to make the text more understandable in English. According to other translations (such
as the English Standard Version [EST]), “David taught his Judeans "The Bow", which they hypothesize was a
poetic lament of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.” According to this interpretation, this "Bow" was a lament or a
tune contained in the Book of Jashar which that book also says was taught to the Israelites.

The Septuagint (Greek) translation renders sefer hayashar in both cases as the 'Book of the Just'. It also is
missing the reference to the 'bow'. It reads: “And he gave orders to teach it the sons of Iouda: behold it is written
in the Book of the Just.”
There is a possible third reference in I Kings 8. In the Septuagint (though not in the Hebrew text or in most
translations), verse 8:53 says that the preceding prayer of Solomon is written "in the book of song" (ἐν βιβλίῳ τῆς
ᾠδῆς). The Hebrew version of this could be ‫ספר השיר‬, which is the same as "Sefer HaYashar" with two letters
transposed. This suggests that the book's name could be related to its function as a book of song, and the
second word of the name might have originally been ‫"( שיר‬song") or ‫"( ישיר‬he will sing").

Although Jasher is not considered Scripture for the Jewish people it is correct to say that Melchizedek is
identified as Shem in Judaism. Joseph Smith was greatly influenced by Jewish tradition, whether he knew the
traditions from being taught them or such traditions came to him by revelation which lead him down a similar
path as the Hebrews. Again, here's a quote from the Talmud:

"R. Zechariah said on R. Ishmael's authority: The Holy One, blessed be He, intended to bring forth the
priesthood from Shem, as it is written, And he [sc. Melchizedek] was the priest of the most high G_d." (b.
Nedarim 32b)

I wish to point out as a side note, that if the belief existed that Joseph Smith believed that Shem/Melchizedek
was the Messiah, then this quote was expressed in a way that reveals that there is more than one G_d. To be a
Priest of the Most High G_d, when he Himself was the Messiah, a G_d in His own right. Yes, the Jews anciently
understood this, but their descendents along with the Christians had forgotten this. The Christians made up a
doctrine called Theophany, while ignore all the plain Hebrew and Greek (or English) written on the page, with all
its possessive adjectives. They quote the Jewish 'Shema' consisting of only one verse: Deuteronomy 6:4, as if it
settles the question. The Mormon's have retained this fact so far, that there are multiple Gods.

We should ask the question: Historically, does the most light and truth of eternal things come forth at the
commencement of a Dispensation, or after it has been handed down for many generations? If it comes forth at
the beginning, then it must be a lost of many sacred truths when knowledge of such is lost with the passage of
time, when doctrines and their understandings of them have been changed! Most Dispensations through the
foundational Church's from each individual Dispensation, can barely hold on to such knowledge for generally
one generation, before beginning to abandon such knowledge once embraced. Lets see if this prophetic pattern
held true in Joseph Smith's Dispensation:

Truths or knowledge is not outright rejected all at once one day. What happens first is, they begin to only
question one or two beliefs that was once revealed. An example of this would be to know something like who
Shem was because the Dispensation King revealed it, and then the following generations after the first
generation from Joseph Smith and the early Brethren, they would start to question who Shem was, or start to
say, were not sure, or we do not know! After questioning it for many years, then they will openly declare, we
never know such, it was not revealed, and know one knows this truth.

John A. Widtsoe, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church from 1921 until his
death, and in his book 'Evidences and Reconciliations', so aptly named, he started doing just that, questioning:

“The ancient history of the priesthood is only dimly known. Especially is this so for the period between
Noah and Abraham. After the flood, Noah, who had himself received the priesthood (Doctrine & Covenants
107:52; 84:14-15; Moses 8:19), ordained his son Shem to the same priesthood (Genesis 9:26, [KJV]), and
perhaps many others as the generations of faithful men increased. Shem and other priesthood bearers in turn
undoubtedly ordained other faithful men who had a claim upon the priesthood. It is likely that whole
communities of followers of the gospel which was taught to Adam existed at this time. Modern revelation
confirms this view, for Moses received the priesthood from Jethro in Midian; and the descent of the
priesthood from Abraham to Jethro is given in names that do not appear at that period in the Bible. (D&C
84:6-13)

In this period, Melchizedek springs suddenly into view. Abraham, after a victorious battle with
Chedorlaomer, calls on Melchizedek, who is king of Salem (a place in or near the present Jerusalem), is
entertained by Melchizedek, and finally pays tithing to him. In this act, Abraham recognized in Melchizedek a
person of authority among the organized followers of the gospel, for he would not pay his tithing to one not
authorized to receive it. This view is supported by Joseph Smith's inspired translation of the Bible, in which
the statement is made that Melchizedek, "being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of G_d; him
whom G_d had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.

Paul, the apostle says, "... this Melchizedec, ... first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after
that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace." (Hebrews 7:1, 2, [KJV]) The accepted Hebrew meaning of
Melchizedek may then be taken as king of righteousness or peace. But, students of language suggested that
the word is a title rather than a name, a title implying a high position of spiritual leadership. Linguists,
dissecting the word and finding the syllable "el" in it, the Hebrew for God, interpret Melchizedek to mean a
servant or king of the supreme God, a "King-priest." Paul tells the Hebrews to "consider how great this man
was." (Hebrews 7:4, [KJV]) Through the ages Melchizedek has been a somewhat mystical figure, but one to
whom the highest respect is given.

Not only was Abraham entertained by Melchizedek but he received the priesthood from him. The
priesthood which descended from Abraham to his descendants is thus traced back through Melchizedek.
(Doctrine & Covenants 84:14) His priesthood is the most important thing about Melchizedek. David speaks of
himself as "a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4.) Paul discourses at some length
upon the high priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, and associates it with the mission of Jesus the
Christ (Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:1-21, [KJV]). We of the restored Church of Christ, following divine revelation
to avoid repeating the name of Deity too often, speak of the higher priesthood as the Melchizedek Priesthood
or the priesthood of Melchizedek.

A curious illustration of the result of missing or distorted or misunderstood scripture appears in Paul's
epistle concerning Melchizedek. In the King James translation it reads, "For this Melchizedec . . . Without
father, without mother without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." (Hebrews 7:1, 3,
[KJV]) This is an absurd statement about a mortal man. The statement refers, of course, to the priesthood of
Melchizedek, which is eternal. The Prophet Joseph Smith rectified the error in his inspired translation of the
Bible, as follows: "For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God which order
was without father without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life."

There is an old Hebrew tradition that Melchizedek was none other than Shem, the son of Noah. As far as
the age of Shem is concerned, that is possible. Shem lived five hundred two years after the flood, and
Abraham was born two hundred ninety-two years after the flood. Abraham, therefore, must have known
Shem. However, doubt is cast upon this claim by the revealed statement that "Melchizedek received it (the
priesthood) through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah." (Doctrine & Covenants 84:14)

Fortunately, modern revelation has given us information concerning this man great in sacred history:

"Now Melchisedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and
stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved by God, he
was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the
order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother;
neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his
own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.”

"For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being
ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to
dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; to put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to
break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his
command, subdue principalities and powers, and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the
foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and
taken up into heaven.”

"And now, Melchisedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called
the Prince of peace. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of
Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or
the end of the world; And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come
together; and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. And this Melchisedek, having thus established
righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.
"And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of
 God; Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.”

"Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God
had given him more than that which he had need." (Genesis 14:25-39, [JST])
[John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 vol., p.231-233, cites expanded]

Though Widtsoe states the obvious, he does not state what was believed by the Saints at the time of the
turning of the 20th century and moving forward. How quickly the Saints disregard the light they were given for
doubt and confusion. The first in the Church to make such unfounded declarations about who Melchizedek was,
came from the sixth Church President, Joseph F. Smith (who served from 1901-1918). He was the first of many
who would officially mislead the Saints doctrinally, he doing more then any other Church President before him.
He is remembered as the first Church President to preach publicly against the Principle of Celestial Plural
Marriage (CPM). In the book Gospel Doctrine, though Joseph F. Smith never wrote a book, he made this
unfounded declaration about Shem:

“In this patriarchal order of priesthood, Shem stands next to Noah. He held the keys to the priesthood and
was the great high priest of his day. Living contemporary with Shem was a man known as Melchizedek, who was
also known as the great high priest. D&C 107:2; Heb. 7:4; Alma 13:17; Gen. 14:18–20.” (Joseph F. Smith,
Gospel Doctrine, Deseret Book Co., 1919, p. 474 [Gospel Doctrine was first published in 1919 posthumously as
a course of study for Melchizedek Priesthood quorums from the writings and sermons of President Joseph F.
Smith]).

It has been noted by many that the scriptures give us the details of Shem’s birth and ancestry but are
completely silent as to his ministry and later life. However, in the case of Melchizedek, the opposite is true,
nothing is recorded about his birth or ancestry, even though the Book of Mormon states that he did have a father
(Alma 13:17–18), that however is self evident, but it does not state who he was, only his title. Concerning
Melchizedek's life and ministry, we have several interesting and important statements (Gen. 14:18–20; Heb. 7:1–
4; Alma 13:17–18).

In more recent Mormon publications, we first find in the book 'Mormon Doctrine', many more erroneous
statements on doctrines. Under 'Melchizedek' in the 1966 version of 'Mormon Doctrine', Bruce R. McConkie said:

“There is an unsupported tradition to the effect that Melchizedek was the same person as Shem the son of
Noah. That this could hardly have been the case is seen from the revelation which says: "Abraham received the
priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah." (D&C 84:14). In
other words, there seem to have been at least two generations between Melchizedek and Shem.” (Bruce R.
McConkie Mormon Doctrine, 2nd Ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], p.475)

So the Apostle Bruce R. McConkie foolishly believes that the Great High Priest was definitely two separate
individuals. Then shortly thereafter an article in the Ensign was published, entitled “I have a Question”, and it
touches upon Shem and Melchizedek.

In looking for more recent and readily available sources that document the LDS Churches stance on
Melchizedek, I found a few quotes that show what some of the members believe. Alma E. Gygi, a Salt Lake City
businessman, wrote an article asking the Question: "Is it possible that Shem and Melchizedek are the same
person?" It was published in the LDS Churches Magazine, the 'Ensign'.
“The Holy One (G_d), blessed be He (G_d), intended to bring forth the priesthood from Shem, as it is written,
And he [sc. Melchizedek](Shem) was the priest of the most high God. Is it possible that Shem and Melchizedek
are the same person?”
[Alma E. Gygi, “Is it possible that Shem and Melchizedek are the same person?", Ensign, Nov. 1973, 15–16]

Alma E. Gygi had not always believed that Shem was Melchizedek though:

“Whatever the connection is, it remains a mystery. As stated by Alma Gygi, "all of this provokes some
questions and calls for answers. Were there two high priests presiding at the same time? Why is the record
silent concerning Shem's ministry? Why is nothing known concerning Melchizedek's ancestry? Because of this
state of knowledge on our part, many Saints and gospel scholars have wondered if these men were the same
person. The truth is, we do not know the answer."
 [Old Testament Student Manual: Genesis-2 Samuel, p.68]

Apparently the Brethren thought enough about this topic, to decide to approve its publishing in the Churches
main magazine. Elder Alvin R. Dyer, who was an apostle in the LDS Church and served as a member of that
Church's First Presidency from 1968 to 1970. He stated that :
“Abraham, who was born of the chosen lineage of patriarchs, received the priesthood from Shem, or
Melchizedek, who received it from Noah unto whom it had come through the lineage of the fathers from
Enoch, unto whom it had come from Adam the first man through his son, Abel.”
[Alvin R. Dyer, Who Am I? (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1968), 400; also see Alvin R. Dyer, The Lord
Speaketh (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1964), 284-291]

The problem here is, you can read Brother Alvin's statement the opposite ways as in one or the other ordained
Abraham into the Priesthood. So, at least some of their leaders and members might have come to rebelieve that
Melchizedek was Shem. However, if in doubt that this was a fully flushed out belief at the present time, one
might read Brother Alma's privately published pamphlet: 'Elias and his son Melchizedek' published a few years
earlier in 1969. It presents all of his beliefs and reasoning.
This question is frequently asked in Mormonism and is of great interest as we claim to hold Melchizedek's
Priesthood is, 'Who was Melchizedek'? Let us examine first what we know about Shem. Although the Bible
names Shem as the eldest son of Noah (Genesis 5:32, [KJV]), modern-day revelation places Japheth as the
eldest (Moses 8:12). Both reports, however, are harmonious in naming Shem as the progenitor of Israel and in
the fact that the priesthood descended through Shem to all the great patriarchs after Noah (1 Chronicles 1:24-
27).

The problem we have in answering the question as to who Melchizedek was, is all of this confusion of
contradictory statements about his ancestry and no clear answers or current revelation, even though from the
beginning of the Dispensation, It was clearly stated with authority. Were there two Great High Priests presiding at
the same time during Shem's life? No, that goes against the tradition of having two presiding High Priest at the
same time. Why is the record silent concerning Shem’s ministry? Why is nothing known concerning
Melchizedek’s ancestry?

As Melchizedek was clearly the prince and king of heaven by birth, for He became king of Salem (later
Jerusalem, Genesis 14:18; Psalms 76:2, [KJV]), where he reigned "under his father" (Alma 13:18). So whom did
Alma think Melchizedek's father was? Shalem is the name of the city that was called so, due to the
righteousness of its people. In looking at a few Mormon authors, we find such published accounts as:

"From the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) and other historical documents we know only a little about
Jerusalem before the fourteenth century before Christ—the approximate time of Israelite penetration into the
land. Some scholars claim that the earliest occurrence of a city called Salim may be in commercial
documents from Ebla in Syria about 2400 B.C. The name Rushalimum or Urusalimum occurs in Egyptian
Execration Texts (incantations against Egypt's enemies) between 1900 and 1800 B.C. Half a millennium later
the El Amarna Letters (diplomatic correspondence between local city-states and the ruling power in Egypt at
the time, Amenhotep IV or Akhenaton) mention the land of Jerusalem as a non-Israelite entity and, in fact,
name the king, Abdi-Heba. Six of the El Amarna Letters were sent by Abdi-Heba from his city called Urusalim.
Another half-millennium later the city is attested in an inscription from Sennacherib as Ursalimmu or
Uruslimmu. A Nabataean inscription shows the Aramaic form Ursalem; a Mandaic document preserves the
form Urashalem; a Syriac, Urishlem; and an Arabic, Ursalimu. For two thousand years, then, the texts,
whether in Egyptian, Akkadian, or West Semitic languages, consistently present Jerusalem under the name
meaning "City of Shalem," or "City of Peace or Perfection." The city was known by the various linguistic
adaptations of the name Jerusalem long before the Israelite incursion and settlement of the land.
[Jerusalem: The Eternal City, by Andrew C. Skinner, D. Kelly Ogden, David B. Galbraith]

Would this not make sense then, that the Prince of Peace and also called the King of Peace, was called such
because of the City that he ruled? These were the Titles that Joseph Smith used when speaking about
Melchizedek (Genesis 14:26-40, [JST]). However, I do not agree with Elder Joseph F McConkie, but favor
President John Taylor's assessment. Even the prophet when editing the Old Testament declared the confusion of
the earlier writers who questioned whom Melchizedek was. Here is what Brother McConkie and Brother Osler
wrote:
 “Regards as to the city being called Shalem and who was anointed its king, this same great high priest and its
people sought for the city of Enoch and found it not.”
[Revelations of the Restoration", by Craig J. Ostler, Joseph Fielding McConkie]

Really, they “found it NOT”, even after Joseph Smith made it so plain that they did obtain Zion!

Joseph Smith revealed many great insight into the status of the Melchizedek as He grew into manhood,
"Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared G_d, and stopped the
mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire" (Genesis 14:26, [JST]). Yet the people among whom He lived
"waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of
wickedness" (Alma 13:17). Though living among a wicked people, Melchizedek "exercised mighty faith, and
received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God" (Alma 13:18). This priesthood was
after the order of the covenant that G_d had made with Enoch (so He was also Translated, Genesis 14:27,
[JST]), and Melchizedek ruled both as a king and priest over His people. As the Great High Priest (Melchizedek),
some of His functions were keeping "the storehouse of G_d" where the "tithes for the poor" were held (Genesis
14:37-38, [JST]), giving blessings to individuals such as Abraham (Genesis 14:18, 25, 37, [JST]), and preaching
repentance (Alma 13:18; cf. 5:49), as well as administering ordinances "after this manner, that thereby the
people might look forward on the Son of G_d,… for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of
the Lord" (Alma 13:16; Genesis 14:17, [JST]). Melchizedek diligently administered and "did preach repentance
unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days" (Alma
13:18). Consequently, Melchizedek became known as "the prince of peace" (Genesis 14:33, [JST]; Hebrews 7:1-
2; Alma 13:18). "His people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven" (They too were also Translated and
lifted up into the Eternal Zion in the heavens, Genesis 14:34, [JST]), in spite of what Joseph F. McConkie said!

So righteous and faithful was Melchizedek that in His execution of His high priestly duties, He did all the works
of Enoch, but even greater, He did it not in just a Terrestrial realm as Enoch did, but here in hell, a Telestial
realm. Something that is vastly far harder! It was in doing such deeds that people would see Him as a
foreshadowing of His later earth mission and calling as the Atoning Savior of the world, the Messiah (Hebrews
7:15). In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma said of Him, "Now, there were many [high priests] before him,
and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater" (Alma 13:19). Clearly even Alma knew more then
most people who speak of Melchizedek these days, even including all the Restoration Churches. And that goes
without saying, the people who lived in ancient times knew His calling! No wonder when He called them unto
repentance, non dared challenge Him or could withstand Him, so mighty was His preaching of the truth!

Even lowly humble followers of the Messiah should be able to see the truth in these things. Dispensations
always start with the new light that comes forth, and it is up to the following generations to not lose these truths
through apostasy!

In the Joseph Smith Translation [JST] Genesis 14:33 we find Melchizedek as a classic arc type for the
Messiah (Christ). That His life was a prophetic foreshadowing of that of the Savior's. He was both Priest and
King and He taught repentance and ruled in righteousness. He brought peace to a once wicked people who
were then caught up into heaven, and as Alma tells us he served under his father (Alma 13:18). In the next verse
(Genesis 14:34 [JST]), we are told that Melchizedek's people sought for the city of Enoch and were taken into
heaven. The inhabitants of Enoch's city were translated beings. It would be hard to understand this text as
saying anything other than that Melchizedek translated the inhabitants of his city as Enoch had translated those
of his city. The one went up from the place of the New Jerusalem; the other, from the place of the Jerusalem of
old. Knowing that Enoch's city will return prior to the millennial day and join with the New Jerusalem, built again,
we are left to wonder if Melchizedek and his people might in like manner return to join the inhabitants of the
Jerusalem of old. That is what IS prophesied!

As the Great High Priest and King of the Most High G_d (Genesis 14:18, [KJV]), Melchizedek holds a high
place of honor among the Latter Day Saints, being that He is the namesake of the higher Priesthood. In the
Doctrine and Covenants, it states that Melchizedek was "such a great high priest" that the higher priesthood was
called after His name, to prevent the too frequent use of the Name of G_d. Though it might have once been
noted, the the true reason they used Melchizedek's name was because it was just one of the Messiah's earlier
names!

"Before his [Melchizedek] day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of G_d. But out
 of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being [Himself], to avoid the too-frequent repetition of his
name, they, the church, in the ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek
Priesthood"
[Doctrine & Covenants 107:2-4; comments added in brackets]

This is very similar to what the Jews have done for millenniums, and even the Christians, when speaking the
Divine Name. The Jews replace the Name of Yah or Yahovah (Yahweh) with El or Adonia, meaning G_d or Lord,
and many times they even abbreviated the word God by replacing the vowels in it with a dash, G-d. The
Christians did the same thing by taking the word Adonia and translating it as LORD in all caps in the scriptures,
rather than using the actual name that was originally written in the scriptures. I have for decades listed G_d, with
a underling replacing the vowel in the word God, when speaking of the Eternal Son, or His Father or the Most
High G_d. I prefer to use an underscore rather than a dash, as it suggests that one should fill in the blank. In
Hebrew, the word for G_d or the Most High G_d is written or called El, Eli, Eloheim, and El Elyon (G_d singular,
G_d possessive, G_ds plural, and The Most High G_d) respectively.

It was asserted by some early LDS leaders that Melchizedek was Shem, son of Noah (as we saw in, T&S
5:746), even though now days most misread the Doctrine and Covenants 84:14 and fail to comprehend the
different types or levels of Melchizedek Priesthoods and to comprehend the Patriarchal Priesthood and its line of
authority. But it is not just this, it is they totally miss the many, many other clear types and signs given us
throughout the ages, and fail to understand the real revelatory knowledge given to us by Joseph Smith, equating
Melchizedek and Shem, as one in the same!

Now, let us address the real scriptural conundrum for Latter Day Saints! The question that they do not have
an answer for is, 'If Melchizedek was Shem, and was born as Noah's Son, then how could He also be Born
Again in the Meridian of Time, a few millenniums later as the Messiah, the Son of the living G_d?' The answer is
clear for anyone who can answer this basic question, 'Was the Messiah Sired by the Holy Spirit of G_d?' And
yes, I am not speaking of the Holy Ghost! And if you can answer that, then the reading of what the Messiah
clearly said (taught) while speaking to Nicodemus becomes understandable. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a
member of the Jewish high court called the Sanhedrin. He came to the Messiah by the cover of night, wanting to
learn more, as Jesus having performed so many remarkable signs and miracles, many people had come to put
faith in Him, that He was sent from G_d, and apparently even Nicodemus did. Still, Nicodemus probably visited
Jesus after dark, out of fears that his reputation and that of the other Jewish leaders could be damaged if he was
even seen coming to Him.

“Rabbi,” Nicodemus says, “we [I wonder who the 'WE' was?] know that you have come from God as a
teacher, for no one can perform these signs that you perform unless God is with him.” In reply, the Messiah tells
Nicodemus that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, a person must be 'Born Again'. [John 3:2-3] Nicodemus
asked, “How can a person be born again? “He cannot enter into the womb of his mother a second time and be
born, can he?” [John 3:4] The Messiah pointed out that he should have already understood this doctrine of the
kingdom, and chided Nicodemus in how it is a mystery unto him, and yet he was a leader in Yesrael, and then
the Messiah said, 'No, that is not what being Born Again means. The Messiah explains: “Unless anyone is born
from water and spirit, he cannot enter or even see into the Kingdom of God.” [John 3:5]

I will restate the answer the Messiah used with Nicodemus, when he said concerning how one knows it is,
'One cannot see from where the wind comes from, or where the wind goes, but you can hear the sound thereof
and know that it exists, so is it for all those whom are 'Born Again''. The Christians and now the LDS make this
Doctrine into the Baptism of Water and the Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost, or Born Again doctrine, being
just as ignorant of the truth as Nicodemus was! For these are but the temporal ordinances and outward signs of
those who have made the outwardly and inwardly mighty change from birth, but that is not the BIRTHS that the
Messiah spoke about. This does not speak as to the real births one must have to actually be Born Again into, to
enter the Kingdom of Heaven! We all have been born here of water from our mothers womb, in this creation, and
the birth of Fire and of the Holy Spirit comes after this life, in the Millennial realm. And then if you are so blessed
as to be born there, then you will indeed be able to see and enter into the Kingdom of G_d!

And this does not address those who have come down here and are Born Again, who have had their names
written in the Lamb's book of Life from the foundations of the earth [world]. These are they whom the Mysteries
of the Kingdom are give too. These are they who understood by those Mysteries of Godliness they having had
them revealed unto them, when they were endowed, that these Mysteries speak of them. But what of those
having had the keys of the kingdom handed to them, after having had these keys handed unto them, they never
received these Mysteries? I would peradventure they have dropped these keys, and no longer have them, like
Nicodemus! Yet they still claim, they have an unbroken chain of ordinations handing down these keys of
authority, wherein they prove they have lost those keys, as they cannot unlock the mysteries of the kingdom, or
godliness that was once delivered unto the Saints, and they are unable to any longer lead the people into the
light!
ANCIENT MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD:

Although Melchizedek is the first person in the Torah to be titled a 'Kohen', meaning a 'Priest' in Hebrew, the
Medrash records that He was preceded in Priesthood or 'Kehuna' in Hebrew by Adam. Rabbinic commentors to
the Torah explain that Melchizedek, who was Shem, was given the Kehuna by receipt of his father Noah's
blessing, 'G_d beatified Yefeth and will dwell in the house of Shem', in other words, He will merit to serve and
host G_d as a Kohen. (Genesis 9:27) Torah Law concerning Kehuna require that the Kohen must be of a
patrilineal descendant of a prior Kohen. Leviticus Rabbah maintains that G_d intended to permanently bring forth
the Kehuna, through Melchizedek's patrilineal descendants, and since Melchizedek preceded Abram's blessing
to that of G_d (Bamidbar 18:7), Abram must have been a descendant of Shem, and who G_d ordained and
chose to bring forth the 'Kehuna' through Abram's descendants. (Rabbah 25:6)

As the text states in regard to Melchizedek: 'and he is a Kohen', (Rabbah 25:6) meaning He Himself in the
exclusive sense and not His patrilineal descendants. (Nedarim 32b. Zohar vol. 1 p. 86b) For did Noah have this
Kehuna? We have no record of such, as no one before Melchizedek had had the Kehuna of the Son of G_d.
Melchizedek willingly gave the Kehuna to Abram upon recognizing his outstanding uniqueness and Godly
character traits. (Bereishith 14:18) Rabbinic authorities defer as to whether Kehuna was given to Abram there
and then or after the ascension of Melchizedek. (Rabbah 25:6), But since Abraham's death preceded Shem's by
35 years, and we have no record of any ordination taking place when the three Angels visited Abraham, as well
as after being blessed in the first instance, he then paid tithes on all he had to Melxhizedek, he was ordained
when Melchizedek came to him (that was recorded in the scriptures). The Midrash records that Shem functioned
as Kohen Gadol, being High Priest in Hebrew, in that he taught Torah to the Patriarchs before it was publicly
given at Mount Sinai, while the official title of Kohen Gadol was conferred upon Aaron after the erection of the
Tabernacle. Only a G_d would have the foreknowledge of Torah before it was dictated to Moses.

In the Midrash Texts, we find multiple quotes about both Melchizedek and Abram. The Rabbis taught that
Melchizedek was a Kohen and handed down Adam's robes to Abram. (Numbers Rabbah 4:8) Rabbi Isaac, the
Babylonian said that Melchizedek was born circumcised. (Genesis Rabbah 43:6) This was what he said about
Melchizedek... but it is NOT TRUE!

Melchizedek called Jerusalem 'Salem'. (Genesis Rabbah 56:10) No, He call Salem, Salem! And when they
came into the land after the Bondage in Eygpt, they reestablished Salem, and renamed it Jeru-Salem, being
New Salem. The Rabbis said that Melchizedek instructed Abram in the Torah. (Genesis Rabbah 43:6) Again, that
could only be possible if Melchizedek actually was the Son of G_d, to posses Torth before G_d revealed it to
Moses.

Rabbi Eleazar said that Melchizedek's school was one of three places where the Ruach Ha Kodesh, being
the Holy Spirit, was manifested. (Babylonian Talmud Makkot 23b) The Ruach Ha Kodesh is NOT the Second
Comforter that would not come into this world until after the Son's ascension, it is that Power by which G_d
creates and sustains all of His creations. The Ruach Ha Kodesh can only be handled when one is absolutely
righteous and in perfect harmony with such. It is what makes G_d, a God.

Rabbi Judah said in Rabbi Nehorai's name that Melchizedek's blessing yielded prosperity for Abram, Isaac,
and Jacob. (Genesis Rabbah 43:8) Ephraim Miksha'ah the disciple of Rabbi Meir said in the Meir's name that
Tamar descended from Melchizedek. (Genesis Rabbah 85:10) As 'Tamar' according to the Book of Genesis,
was the daughter-in-law of Judah (twice), as well as the mother of two of his children: the twins Perez and Zerah.
This Tamar, though her being a woman and the Kehuna only follows through the male posterity, that it followed
Ephraim, rather than Judah. It would still need to also follow patrilineal descendants. This is a very interesting
statement! Even today we only see Judah claiming the lessor (Temporal) Prietshoods. Not the Melchizedek
Priesthood, and that is Ephraim who does, as Joseph Smith fulfilled!

Rabbi Hana bar Bizna citing Rabbi Simeon Hasida identified Melchizedek as one of the four craftsmen of
whom Zechariah wrote in Zechariah 2:3. (Sukkah 52b; see also Song of Songs Rabbah 2:33 crediting Rabbi
Berekiah in the name of Rabbi Isaac) I do not see the FOUR Angels spoken of in Zechariah 2:3, only two. The
Talmud teaches that David wrote the Book of Psalms, including in it the work of the elders, including
Melchizedek. (see Psalm 110 and Baba Batra 14b–15a) Thus according to some rabbis, the confusion over
Melchizedek being both King and Priest is solved by knowing that Shem was also a progenitor of the Davidic
Monarchy, which descended from both Judah and Tamar, who was the daughter (or granddaughter in the
opinion of some) of Shem.

The Melchizedek priesthood, according to the Encyclopedia Judaica's interpretation of Hebrews, "is excellent,
superior to that of Abraham's descent, and transcends all human, imperfect orders." This speaks at the heart of
the issue as to why the Jews always sought to challenge those who claimed this Priesthood.
LATTER DAY PREISTHOODS:

Joseph Smith reestablished two Priesthoods, namely the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods. The
Melchizedek Priesthood, is a Spiritual Eternal Priesthood. It is the Priesthood of the Messiah, and contained two
governing quorums, High Priests and Seventies. There is a Patriarchal Priesthood that was spoken of by Joseph
Smith but it was never revealed or conferred in his Dispensation. The Aaronic Priesthood is the second
Priesthood and is what is called the lesser priesthood being a temporal or Telestial Priesthood. The Levitical
Priesthood which proceeded it, being the lessor Pre-Existences Priesthood, was acknowledged as having more
authority, as recipients in this Priesthood have the rights to the Bishopric, if they are able to confirm their rights to
the lessor Priesthood's by birthright. If one could prove their lineage, as in being a Cohan, they have rights to the
Temporal Levitical Priesthood and may preside without ordination or counselors.

“1 THERE are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the
Levitical Priesthood.
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of
his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek
Priesthood.”
[Doctrine & Covenants 107:1-4, Italics added]

“The Melchizedek Priesthood is an eternal priesthood. Before mortality, G_d delegated authority and
responsibility to worthy individuals. This holy priesthood was the means by which that action was taken. After
this life, those who have been valiant and have honored their priesthood will continue to bear it and to have
the responsibility to use it in serving others.
Adam, the first to live on earth, and received the holy priesthood, with all its power, authority, and keys.
"And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an holy ordinance" (an Endowment... of knowledge)
[Moses 5:59]. This authority was delegated to others in an unbroken chain from one prophet to another. "All
the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood." (TPJS, p.181)

Abraham sought the blessings of his fathers and the right to be ordained into the priesthood. Because he had
qualified himself for the priesthood, even though his own father had not, Abraham obtained the priesthood from
Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of G_d (Abraham 1:2-5). Melchizedek met Abraham and blessed
him, and Abraham gave him a tenth part of all he had (Hebrews 7:1-3, [KJV]). Melchizedek exercised mighty
faith and used His priesthood to bring a people practicing iniquity unto repentance. None was greater than He
(Alma 13:17-19). Originally, the priesthood was known as the "Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of
G_d" (D&C 107:3). To avoid too frequent use of G_d's name, the Church in ancient days called the priesthood by
the name of this noted priesthood leader, Melchizedek (D&C 107:2-4).”

In Abraham, Chapter 1, is the history of Abram seeking and obtaining the Priesthood of G_d.

“1 In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me
to obtain another place of residence;
2 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the
fathers (knowledge), and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same (made a Priest);
having been myself a follower of righteousness [in other words, a follower of Melchizedek – the King of
Righteousness], desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge (the greatest Blessing of the
Fathers), and to be a greater follower of righteousness (of Melchizedek – who was the 'Great High Priest'),
and to possess a greater knowledge (to know who one is before G_d and why you are sent), and to be a
father of many nations, a prince of peace (posses the same titles as Melchizedek), and desiring to receive
instructions (revelations), and to keep the commandments of God (more perfectly), I became a rightful heir, a
High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers (Patriarchal Priesthood).
3 It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time,
yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right
of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me (Patriarchal
Priesthood).
4 I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers
concerning the seed (Patriarchal Priesthood).
 … 18 Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name (Melchizedek),
even the Priesthood of thy father (G_d), and my power shall be over (upon) thee.
19 As it was with Noah so shall it be with thee (you shall be saved and protected); but through thy ministry
my name shall be known in the earth forever (Melchizedek), for I am thy God.
… 31 But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood (Patriarchal
Priesthood), the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the
creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers (this greater
knowledge), have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this
record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me.
[Abraham 1:1-2, 18-19, 31. PoGP, comments added in brackets]

This Priesthood later spoken of (verses 18-19) was the Melchizedek Priesthood, and as it is written in other
places, when Abram obtained such, his name was changed and he exclaimed 'now I have a Priesthood', for by
comparison, the lessor Priesthood (a lineage or birthright, a Temporal Priesthood) he had from the Father's was
not a Priesthood he could say, 'I HAVE a Priesthood, as in it was something he could eternally possess!'

Doctrine and Covenants Section 84, is a Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland,
Ohio, on September 22 and 23, 1832. The Prophet designated it as a revelation on Priesthood.

“1 A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their
hearts and lifted their voices on high.
2 Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his
people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon
Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.
3 Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the
western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others
with whom the Lord was well pleased. [This has not happened... the gathering of the Saints unto Mount Zion,
and the building of the New Jerusalem, that will begin at the Temple Lot!]
4 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the
saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.
[it was not reared in THAT Generation because of the unworthiness of the Gentile Saints]
5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud
shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. [Kirtland was their
past, and Nauvoo was their future and it never was completed... this Prophesy failed because THAT
Generation had came under condemnation!]
6 And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood [the Melchizedek Priesthood] which he
received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro;
7 And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb;
8 And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu;
9 And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy;
10 And Jeremy under the hand of Gad;
11 And Gad under the hand of Esaias;
12 And Esaias received it under the hand of God [Melchizedek].
13 Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him [Abraham]—
14 Which Abraham received the [this] priesthood [the Patriarchal Priesthood] from Melchizedek, who
received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah [his Father];
15 And from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers;
16 And from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother, who received the priesthood
by the commandments of God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man—
17 Which priesthood [the Melchizedek Priesthood, and more particular the Patriarchal Priesthood]
continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years [being
Melchizedek Priesthood].
18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations,
which priesthood [the Aaronic Priesthood] also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is
after the holiest order of God [the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood].
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the
kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the [Temple] ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood [the Patriarchal Priesthood], the
 power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this [Fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood] no man can see the face of God, even the
Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to
sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for
his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness,
which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood [the Fullness of the Melchizedek
Priesthood] also;
26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and
the preparatory gospel;”
[Doctrine & Covenants 84:1-26, comments added in brackets]

This hints at the different levels or types of Melchizedek Priesthoods, without really revealing them. It also
gives a history of the lineage of the Priesthood that Abram obtained, though the wording is more archaic than
modern usage and many people stumble over the wording, 'even till Noah...'. They vainly imagine that there
must be more to the lineage, that was skipped or unspoken. Hardly a thing that the Eternal Father would do
when declaring this lineage!

Abraham stands next to Shem in the patriarchal order of the priesthood and would surely have received the
priesthood from Shem; yet D&C 84:5–17 says Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek. When
Abraham returned from the war, Shem or as he is sometimes called, Melchizedek, the king of righteousness,
priest of the Most High G_d. …” (Ginsberg, Legends of the Jews, p. 233.) “Jewish tradition pronounces
Melchizedek to be a survivor of the Deluge, the patriarch Shem.” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary, p. 393.) “And
Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem. …” (Book of Jasher 16:11.) Abraham did receive the
priesthood from Shem!

As Shem and Melchizedek are the same person, this scripture should prove no stumbling block, because it
could be interpreted to mean that priesthood authority commenced with Adam and came through the fathers,
even till Noah, and then to Shem. As Adonizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth from all that he
had brought from the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek was a Great High Priest before G_d. Adoni-Zedek
could also be translated Lord G_d Priest or Priest G_d!

Abraham already knew this Prophet previously as he sought the same when he asked for the priesthood.
Remember when Abraham fled from Nimrod and his father house who was a prince to Nimrod. He fled to the
house of Noah and those who dwelt in the same vicinity. Noah's son Shem was one of them, and it was he who
had the authority of the Priesthood was the Great High Priest. In Joseph Smith Translation [JST] of Genesis
14:30-32, we find nowhere else in holy writ a more graphic description of the power of G_d's Priesthood than to
those who possessed this Priesthood who have been called and chosen to stand in G_d's stead, than in these
verses. Mighty men of G_d in ancient days have caused mountains to flee and rivers of water to turn out of their
course; they have called a land to come up out of the sea and caused armies to flee (Moses 7:13-14); they have
divided the earth into various continents (Genesis 10:25) and parted the waters (Moses 1:25); they have sealed
the heavens that there would be no rain and opened them again (James 5:17-18). Such was the faith and power
known to such men. As Nephi has said, "If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should
command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be
done" (1 Nephi 17:50). Further, we have been promised that "this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning,
shall be in the end of the world also" (Moses 6:7). This manner of priesthood and such deeds will be seen again
very shortly, in these end times!

In Alma, as well as in several other biblical books, the Order of the Priesthood into which Melchizedek was
ordained was of paramount importance. It was this "Order," coupled with great faith, that gave Melchizedek the
power and knowledge to influence His people unto repentance and for them to become worthy enough to be
brought into the presence of G_d. This Order of Priesthood (the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood) was
"after the order of the (Only Begotten) Son of G_d (His Priesthood); which order came, not by man (being by a
man's ordination), nor the will of man (through a Church); neither by father nor mother (by one's earth birthright
or inheritance); neither by beginning of days nor end of years (by Adam, a G_d in His own right); but of G_d (the
Eternal Father, Yah)" (Genesis 14:28, [JST]; Hebrews 7:3, [JST]; Psalms 110:4), Adam's Father, and the
Messiah's Grandfather. It also says, it was given unto Melchizedek "through the lineage of his fathers, even till
Noah," and from Melchizedek to Abraham (D&C 84:14). So if it did not come by man or by His earthly Father,
how could this saying be true? They were talking about the Patriarchal Priesthood, NOT the Fullness of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, as the Fullness of Priesthood ONLY comes by the “Calling of G_d's own voice!” And
those ordained unto this Order were to "have power, by faith," and, according to "the will of the Son of G_d," to
work miracles. Ultimately, those in this Order were "to stand in the presence of G_d" (Genesis 14:30-31, [JST]).
This was accomplished by participating in the ordinances of this Order (Alma 13:16; D&C 84:20-22). The result
was that "men having this faith, coming up unto this Order of G_d, were translated and taken up into heaven"
(Genesis 14:32, [JST]). Accordingly, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the priesthood held by Melchizedek
had "the power of "endless lives"' (TPJS, p. 322). That is the power to return into this or future creations to do
even a greater work for G_d. Aman!
PRIESTHOOD RE-REVEALED:

Some will say, how can you say there are three different Priesthoods here? I am not saying that, all Spiritual
Priesthoods are Melchizedek or Messiah's Priesthood, the Priesthood of the Eternal Son(s). There is the
Priesthood of the Eternal Fathers or Elohiem, which is beyond Melchizedek Priesthood, that ever comes into
these physical realms. However, there are three Temporal Priesthoods, namely: First - Levitical or First Estate
Priesthood. Second - Aaronic or Second Estate Priesthood. And third - Phineas or Third Estate Priesthood,
which is a Terrestrial or Millennial Priesthood. These three Priesthoods are named differently, are obtained
differently, and yet they are all considered Lessor Priesthoods. Then there is the Spiritual or Eternal Priesthoods,
where there is also three Eternal Priesthoods, namely: First - Melchizedek Priesthood (held in the First World or
Creation, Fourth Estate). Second - Patriarchal Priesthood (held in the Second World or Creation, Fourth Estate).
And then there is the Third - the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood (held in the Third World or Creation,
Fourth Estate). These three Priesthoods are all Melchizedek Priesthood or the Holy Priesthood of the Son of
G_d. Do not be so blind as to think that the Eternal Father(s) do not also have their own (three) Celestial
Priesthoods! Has no one here never heard of the 'Adamic Priesthood', to name one of them.

In comprehending these Lessor or Temporal Priesthoods: Levites can only administer or serve in the
sanctuary or Temple. Aaronites can in addition to all the Levite duties, they also offer the sacrifices upon the
Alter. And when all things are in order, only Phineasite High Priests can enter the Holy of Holies. The Higher
Priesthood's work very much the same way: Melchizedek Priesthood holders can come into the Presence of the
Messiah, and be administered to by Angels. Patriarchal Priesthood holders administer in all the ordinance of the
house of G_d, or the Temple, and are sent to gather the Elect. The Fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
brings the power to come into the Presence of the Father, the Messiah's Father, and posses the Keys of Elijah,
to bind and seal on earth, as in heaven. The actual Melchizedek's, are the Great High Priests who are Begotten
of the Father, who this Priesthood rightly belongs to, come with all power to do whatsoever thee Father wills.
Much more can and will be spoken upon about the Priesthood's of G_d, in the future KoZ paper on Priesthoods,
that will be posted hereafter.
MELCHIZEDEK WAS AND IS THE MESSIAH:

The idea that the Messiah being Shem was adopted by many over the centuries and millenniums, but can it
be shown that this was what Joseph Smith believed? How can Yisraelites or the Hebrews (who have been
misnomered as the Jews which is the remains of the kingdom of Judah, not the kingdom of Yisrael) and the early
Christians, and even most likely Joseph Smith privately, and others like myself, say in unison that Melchizedek
was and is the same being as Yahshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus, the Christ: for those Gentiles who prefer the Greek
and Roman terms used for the Messiah)? How is it possible for Yahshua, who would be born in the Meridian
(middle) of Time, as the Messiah and Savior of the world, to have also been born of women first as Noah's Son,
Shem? To answer this, it would likely take a much larger and many times more voluminous of a paper than this
paper to explain the Doctrine of Eternal Lives, but needless to say, He was born twice* here into this creation,
and many in Judaism and Christianity have know this for thousands of years!

* (To be born twice into a Telestial realm as a mortal. The Messiah was also Abel before He came down as
Shem, but that coming was in a Terrestrial realm, so hence it is not counted as a mortal birth, or a birth towards
His required Estate births. And then of course, He came down as the Messiah, the Only Begotten of the Father,
(Yah, is His name in this world or creation). So only being born as Shem and Yahshua counted as two of the
required twelve mortal births one must be Born Again into mortality to be glorified, even though He was born as
Shem in the pre-diluvial Terrestrial realm, but because He arched over from that realm, and descended here until
he had become a Telestial Being, it counts. Afterward, He having overcome this realm, He reascended back into
the Terrestrial realm, being lifted up with His people unto Enoch's Zion. As He attained heaven, coming unto the
true Zion and City of the King in the heavens, the city that was taken up before the flood.)

The Messiah came into this creation the first time down with a calling as a Telestial Being named Shem or
Melchizedek. The Messiah then came a second time down with a calling as a Terrestrial Being, though He
started out mortal in His youth, but having been sired as the Only Begotten of the Father, Yah, mortality had no
hold upon Him. In His final coming, those people who are unaware of His true callings, will call it His Second
Coming, which will be in all actually His Third Coming, as His third time down with a calling as a Resurrected
Glorified Celestial Being. I have already shown that this is not just my belief and testimony, of the Messiah's
having come multiple times into this creation, but that it has been known by many and taught for thousands of
years by Christians, and thousands of years times two by Yisrael and yet it is still generally unknown but to a
select few Latter Day Saints in Mormonism. How could something so holy be kept so sacred until the End
Times? Because it was sealed up unto the Prophets, like Daniel, Isaiah, John the Beloved, from the foundations
of the earth until now!

The association or identification of Melchizedek as the actual Messiah, it predates Christianity, as it was
initially embraced by small sects of Jews who long awaited for the coming of the Messiah. This came out in the
First Temple period but continued to be believed long into the Second Temple period. It is clear that with the
diversity of opinion on this matter, and with no definitive revelation having yet been canonized, people will doubt
the truthfulness of such beliefs. As such, the scriptures are sought first for further understanding, and where they
are unhelpful, supplemental sources have been provide for unique insights, but in the end, only personal
revelation is the sure witness as to the truthfulness of such a doctrine!
Some may ask how can Melchizedek actually be the Messiah born of women beforehand of His prophesied
birth as the Messiah, Yahshua Ha Mashiach. Believers who have connected Melchizedek with the Messiah have
used as evidenced of this from Psalm 110:
1 The Adonai said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Adonai shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness From the womb of the
morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Adonai hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at thy right hand Shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads
over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: Therefore shall he lift up the head.
(Psalm 110:1-7, [KJV])
 Some have also consider Genesis 17 where Abraham saw and talked with G_d Almighty (El Shaddai) in the
form of a man, with some Christians believing that this was a Christophany*.
17 1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Adoni appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the
Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many
nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an
everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of
Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their
generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child
among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and
you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that
is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my
covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off
from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her
name be.
16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of
nations; kings of people shall be of her.
17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is
an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will
establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will
multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next
year.
22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his
money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the
selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised
with him.

* A Theophany or Christophany is a term made up by Christians to explain how G_d or the Messiah manifests
himself to people in the Bible as a tangible being unto the human senses of the one He is appearing to. This
visible appearance of G_d in the Old Testament often, (not always in human form), was in the form as “An Angel
of the Lord”, the burning bush, or hidden in a cloud or pillar of fire. Christophany are more specific as to which
G_d is appearing, for those who understand Polytheism as the true nature of heaven, but understand each
person only has one G_d, and one Lord. Here are some of the examples of Theophanies found in the Old
Testament:

1. Genesis 11:5 – A frequent theophanies may be seen in the words “the Lord (Adonai) came down,”
2. Genesis 12:7-9 – The Lord appeared to Abraham on his arrival in the land G_d had promised to him and his
descendants.
3. Genesis 16:7-14 – This was “An Angel of the Lord”, that came and spoke with Hagar.
4. Genesis 18:1-33 – One day, Abraham had some visitors: two angels and G_d (the Messiah) himself. He
invited them to come to his home, and he and Sarah entertained them. Clearly Abraham recognized these men,
Noah who was Gabriel, Uriel who was Shem/Melchizedek and the future Messiah, and most likely Enoch, who is
Raphael.
5. Genesis 22:11-18 – “The angel of the Lord called unto him (Abraham) out of heaven,” It appears to be a
messenger rather than G_d himself, by the wording.
6. Genesis 32:22-30 – Jacob wrestled with what appeared to be a man, and was either an angel or G_d.
Traditions say it was Sariel who was Elijah, John the Baptist, and the prophesied latter day Davidic Servant (v28-
30). This may also have been a Christophany.
7. Exodus 3:2 - 4:17 – G_d appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush, telling him exactly what He wanted
him to do.
8. Exodus 24:9-11 – G_d appeared to Moses with Aaron and his sons and the seventy elders.
9. Exodus 24:16-18 – Frequently, the term “glory of the Lord” reflects a Christian view of a theophany, as in; the
“pillar of cloud” or cloud, and also described as devouring fire.
10. Exodus 33:9 – Here is was a cloudy pillar that descended down.
11. Exodus 34:5 – It is shown here that the cloud is more for a covering, “descended in the cloud, and stood with
him (Moses) there,“
12. Numbers 11:25 – Again we find that “Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him”, that the Messiah was
not the cloud, but hidden by the cloud and He talks as one man to unto another.
13. Numbers 12:5 – Here the “Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud”, the pillar is many time present with the
cloud.
14. Deuteronomy 31:14-15 – G_d appeared to Moses and Joshua in the transfer of leadership to Joshua.
15. Job 38–42 – G_d answered Job's questions out of the tempest.

Some Christian Scholars believe that whenever someone received visitation from “the angel of the Lord” or
G_d, that this was in fact always a Christophany of the Messiah. These appearances can be seen in Genesis
16:7-14; Genesis 22:11-18; Judges 5:23; 2 Kings 19:35; and other passages. Other commentators believe these
were in fact angelophanies, or the appearances of angels. While there are no indisputable Christophanies in the
Old Testament, every Theophany wherein G_d takes on human form foreshadows the future birth of the
Messiah, wherein G_d took the form of a man to live among us as Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Theophanies doctrine is like the Rapture doctrine, in that it is not scriptural as to the title given or that it was
ever used by any Prophet of G_d originally. It is also similar to Rapture in that it is coined to explain prophesied
events, whether past visitation of eternal beings or mortals who fulfilled these prophetic types or future
prophesied eternal beings or mortals who have or will come or will be reborn to fulfill such events. Basically, it is
a term for a doctrine not truly understood by the teachers and churches at large.

In view of such evidence found in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Christian Gnostic texts, the Dead
Sea Scrolls and extra-Biblical sources such as Latter-day Saints scriptures, that the early Christian veneration of
Melchizedek and the rich Messianic tradition about him in Judaism, Christianity and Mormonism, we should in no
way find it demeaning to link the soul of Melchizedek with that of the Messiah. Certainly both individuals were
very significant to the plan of eternal progression and G_d having prodigy. These two missions manifest the
steps required for a man to become a G_d, and to provide an opportunity for other men to work on their
imperfection individually to one day be spiritually prepared to save humanity as the Messiah did for us.

In the Gospel of Thomas, "(51) His disciples said to him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and
when will the new world come?" He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not
recognize it." (Gospel of Thomas, saying 51, Thomas O. Lambdin) Yes, the dead do rest, but clearly, the New
World had not yet come, so what was the Messiah saying here? Saying 49 reveals better the Messiah's though
behind the question, “(49) Jesus said, "Blessed are the solitary and elect, for you will find the kingdom. For you
are from it, and to it you will return." Can we live in the Kingdom here before the world comes to it? Yes!
Melchizedek changed the world He lived in after the flood, and they had become so wicked. So mighty was His
preaching, they repented and they eventually were translated and obtained heaven, which was Zion that had
fled. The Messiah was saying, the knowledge needed for the New World to come was already there!
Shem was a Past Life of the Messiah

Another Eternal Lives or Past Life of the Messiah is found in the Torah and Old Testament was Shem, who
was given the title of Melchizedek by G_d. They had the same birth, were Great High Priests unto the Most High
G_d, being a priest of the Order of Melchizedek, and were both called King of Righteousness, King or Prince of
Peace, and especially because other than Adam they were the only ones called a Son of G_d. It is clear from the
Book of Hebrews and other scriptures that Shem, who was called Melchizedek in the scriptures paralleled the
Messiah in birthright, blessings and priesthood. A careful examination of just Biblical quotes of
Shem/Melchizedek verses the Messiah reveals that Shem/Melchizedek was a previous birth of the Messiah.
There are so many strong parallels between Shem/Melchizedek and the Messiah that it could not be by just
mirror chance. Besides the Biblical evidence, there exists other overwhelming evidence from the discoveries of
early Jewish and Christian texts in the Nag Hammadi Library in 1945 and the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, already
discussed. There is also extra-Biblical revelations that support this truth that Shem/Melchizedek was the
Messiah, that can be seen by comparison when we look at such Latter Day Restoration Scriptures and Writings.
However, we will just compare the Biblical quotes here from the King James Version [KJV] of the Bible:

Only G_d's have a Sonship in the Bible, and are called a: 'Son of G_d'. G_d's Elect are the only exception to
this, not being G_d's yet in their own right, nor called such until after the Messiah's sacrifice. In the Bible, only
two beings have been called by the title of "Son of God": Adam, the Temporal Father or Creator G_d, and
Melchizedek and the Messiah, the Temporal Son or Savior G_d:

Adam: "...the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God." (Luke 3:38, [KJV])

Melchizedek: "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son
of God he remains a priest forever." (Hebrews 7:3, [KJV])

Messiah: "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1, [KJV])

Melchizedek was like the Son of G_d, in his priesthood, as it said above in Hebrews 7:3. Melchizedek and the
Messiah were made in the express image or likeness of a Son of G_d, which was also in the image of the Only
Begotten of the Father, as all Sons of G_d in the flesh are, their bodies are in the express image and look
identical to G_d the Father. They were both of the Order of High Priesthood of the Son of G_d: the Melchizedek
Priesthood:

Messiah: "...the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4, [KJV]) [The word “image” is
translated from the Greek. “eikṓn” which means: (a) to be like, (b) a mirror-like representation, (c)
referring to what is very close in resemblance (as defined by the context), (d) exactly reflects its source
(what it directly corresponds to). For example, Christ is the very image supreme expression of G_d
“Who [the Son] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature [over all creatures]:“
(Col 1:15). It does not merely resembles, but is from which which it is drawn; in other
words, it is a replication. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of him that created him:” (Col 3:10).
Messiah: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:6) [The word "order" is translated
from the Greek, "aphomoioo" which means: (a) a facsimile, (b) an exact copy or exact reproduction,
(c) a duplicate.]
Messiah: "And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears." (Hebrews
7:15, [KJV]) The phrase "another priest like" is translated into Greek as "kata ten homoioteta" which
means: (a) in every respect, (b) after the similitude of, (c) according to the likeness of, (d) a thing so
like another as to be indistinguishable from it.
Melchizedek: "He was priest of God Most High." (Genesis 14:18, [KJV])
Messiah: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4, [KJV])
Messiah & Melchizedek: "[Messiah] was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. We
have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by
this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's
word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not
acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant
use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:10-14, [KJV])

Paul indicates the Priest(s) of Order of Melchizedek were to last forever and that the system of priests through
the tribe of Levi would eventually come to an end, thou these men were chosen by G_d for this lessor priesthood
office. They would give sacrifices unto G_d which symbolically atoned and paid for the people's sins. We see this
principle at work very early in the story of Job:

Melchizedek: "After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, 'I am angry with you
and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So
now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for
yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you
according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.' So Eliphaz
the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord
accepted Job's prayer." (Job 42:7-9, [KJV])

Melchizedek and the Messiah are a King of Righteousness, they were filled with the scepter (of power) as
promised:

Melchizedek: "To whom Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being by interpretation King of Righteousness and
after that also King of Salem, which is King of Peace. (Hebrews 7:2, [KJV])
Messiah: "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King
who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land." (Jeremiah 23:5, [KJV])
Melchizedek: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes
to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." (Genesis 49:10, [KJV])
Messiah: "But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be
the scepter of your kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8, [KJV])

The Messiah and Melchizedek's priesthoods are similar because they did not depend upon genealogy as the
Levitical or Aaronic priesthood did. The human lineage of the Messiah was from Judah - a tribe that Moses did
not associate with the priesthood. Said of the Messiah: "For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and
in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests." (Hebrews 7:14, [KJV]) Yahshua Ha Mashiach is a priest
after the order of Melchizedek, he came from the right line, and he comes as the only one who could live a
perfect life - the only one who can be an eternal sacrifice! This priesthood is a royal priesthood. The fullness of
this priesthood is a Priesthood that only a G_d can fully embrace. Melchizedek and the Messiah are the King of
Peace or Prince of Peace, are priests forever, and yet these two, Melchizedek and the Messiah were human
possessing human nature:

Melchizedek: "First, his name means "King of Righteousness"; then also, "King of Salem" means "King of
Peace." (Hebrews 7:2, [KJV])
Messiah: "And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah
9:6, [KJV])
Messiah: "...like the Son of God he remains a priest forever." (Hebrews 7:3, [KJV])
Melchizedek and the Messiah: "You [the Messiah] are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews
5:6)
Melchizedek: "He was priest of God Most High." (Genesis 14:18, [KJV])
Messiah: "And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has
come." (Hebrews 7:15-16, [KJV]) The translation of the word "likeness" into Greek is "homoios" which
means: (a) after the similitude of. Therefore, Hebrews 7:15-16 does not mean the Messiah is "similar
to Melchizedek." In context, it means the Messiah IS in the express likeness or He is Melchizedek.
The proof of this can be found in another Bible verse where the word "equality" in Greek used for
"likeness": "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7, [KJV])
Melchizedek: “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he
[Melchizedek] liveth.”
Messiah: "The Word became flesh." (John 1:14, [KJV]) Speaks of the Messiah mortalness.
Messiah: "The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son,
who as to his human nature was a descendant of David." (Romans 1:2-4, [KJV])

Melchizedek and the Messiah are described as pre-existing from before the foundations of the earth (i.e. they
existed before this world or their births. They both were associated with Abraham, and they are one spirit who
incarnated more than once, and transcended death each time. Both were Translated Beings and could enter and
leave this world at will without having to go through birth and death. They both also taught about the importance
of the sacrament of bread and wine. Melchizedek's offering of bread and wine to Abraham is the first incidence
where bread and wine appear in the Scripture. Melchizedek provided a priesthood which gave the symbols of
bread and wine. The Messiah also provided a priesthood which gave the symbols of bread and wine:

Melchizedek: "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son
of God he remains a priest forever." (Hebrews 7:3, [KJV])
Messiah: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come
for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2,
[KJV])
Messiah: "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from
eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
when there were no springs abounding with water ... Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled
with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting
in mankind." (Proverbs. 8:22-31, [KJV])
Messiah: "'Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.' 'You are not
yet fifty years old,' the Jews said to him, 'and you have seen Abraham?' 'I tell you the truth,' Jesus
answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!'" (John 8:56-59, [KJV])
Messiah: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with
God in the beginning." (John 1:1-2, [KJV]) "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is
the Word of God." (Revelation 19:13, [KJV])
Melchizedek: "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
and he blessed Abraham, saying, 'Blessed be Abraham by God Most High, Creator of heaven and
Earth.' (Genesis 14:18-19, [KJV])
Messiah: "'Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.' 'You are not
yet fifty years old,' the Jews said to him, 'and you have seen Abraham?' 'I tell you the truth,' the
Messiah answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!'" (John 8:56-59, [KJV])
Messiah: "Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but
because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood." (Hebrews 7:23, [KJV])
Melchizedek: "And Melchizedek King of Salem brought forth bread and wine..." (Genesis 14:18, [KJV])
Messiah: "While they were eating, the Messiah took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his
disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to
them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many
for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:26-29, [KJV])
Messiah: "I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the
bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came
down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will
give for the life of the world.' 'Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, 'How can this
man give us his flesh to eat?' ' the Messiah said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real
drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father
sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is
the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this
bread will live forever." (John 6:48-59, [KJV])

The Messiah means the "anointed one" in Hebrew, but by extension, the Messiah and Melchizedek are
"anointed ones" priests of the Most High

Messiah: "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your
kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above
your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9, [KJV]) The word
"anointing or anointed" is translated into Greek as "chrio" which means: to contact between the one
being anointed and the one doing the anointing. The Greek word "Christos" which is translated as
"Christ" is derived from the Greek word "chrio".
Messiah and Melchizedek: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You [the Messiah] are a priest
forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'" (Psalm 110:4, [KJV])
Messiah: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the Earth take their stand and the
 rulers gather together against the Lord and against his anointed one." (Acts 4:25-26, [KJV])

In Conclusion:

Melchizedek and the Messiah are Sons of G_d in the exact same likeness and are priests unto G_d, having
the same priesthood and titles, such as Prince of Peace, because they are the same Being! Why would the
Messiah be compared to Melchizedek if his status was not equal to or as great as the Messiah? The Messiah
certainly would not compared himself to anyone who was lesser than himself. This suggests that both
Melchizedek and the Messiah had and were more than of the same nature, looked identical, having similar
purpose and titles, they must have been the same person, provable by scriptural comparison. The Messiah was
Melchizedek or visa versa, Melchizedek was the Messiah!
SUMMATION:

It does not take a Prophet to discern this mystery of the kingdom and gospel, and nor am I putting it forth as
such. However, there are many Prophets who have made it very very plain as to whom Melchizedek was, is, and
will be eternally! Let me re-rehearse their words here for you and expand what the correct understanding of the
scriptures and Prophets have said in plain English!

Moses wrote that Melchizedek was a King of Righteousness. What is being said here? He is the Sovereign of
Righteousness, the Ruler over Righteousness, He sets the standard of Righteousness. He was the Priest unto
the Most High G_d. Not a Priest unto G_d the Father, Yah or YHVH, but a Priest unto His Father, El.

Paul also wrote that Melchizedek was the King of Righteousness, and after that he also added the King of
Salem, which is to say a King of Peace; [who] abideth a priest continually. What does 'Abideth' mean? It is to
bear patiently, to stay, live, or dwell; to continue, to tolerate, to put up with or endure without yielding; to comply
or submit as in obey or obedience, to conform, to withstand, to wait for something, to await. Where it is said, the
Messiah was Called of [by] G_d, an high priest after the order of Melchizedek. So also Christ glorified not himself
to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him [even G_d], Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Even Yahshua (Jesus to the Gentiles), made an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

So Paul was saying that this Priesthood is eternal, everlasting, and comes by an Oath. But who's Oath? For
when G_d made the promise unto Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swear by Himself. Who
said, this Priesthood is preferred, that it comes from one who is, without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life or years; but made like being that He looks like and is sired also
by deity) unto the Son of G_d, who is G_d the Father, even Yah.

And finally, Joseph Smith added that Melchizedek was, “a man of faith, who wrought righteousness,... and
when a child he... stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been
approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch
[He was translated and taken up into heaven. And for this Covenant]. It being after the order of the Son of God;
which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor
end of years; but of God [personally]; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his [G_d's] own voice,
according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name [Yah]. For God having sworn unto Enoch and
unto his seed with an oath by Himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have
power, By FAITH, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; To
put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God;
to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the
will of the Son of God which was before the foundation of the world.
And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven. And
now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the PRINCE
of PEACE. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which
God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the
world [the millennium];
And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together [after the
millennium]; and the sons of God should be tried [in their FAITH being tested] so as by fire [the Earth will merge
into the Celestial orb, the Sun). And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the
KING of HEAVEN by his people, or, in other words, the KING of PEACE.
(Genesis 14:26-36, [JST], All Caps added, with comment in brackets)

So, do we call just anyone or even a great prophet, the 'Prince of Peace' or 'King of Peace', and certainly not
the 'King of Heaven'! Is Joseph Smith saying such things about just any old Prophet? Melchizedek was
translated and He helped His people to get translated and obtain heaven. He was ordained an high priest after
the order of the covenant which G_d made personally with Him, having sworn unto Him and unto his seed with
an oath by Himself; that men having this faith, coming up unto this order of G_d, were translated and taken up
into heaven (where they obtain such ordinations!).

So, we decide to start calling the Priesthood of the Son of G_d, after just any mortal (immortal) man who was
just a mysterious Prophet, who just happen to be the first King of Salem (Jerusalem), and who Abraham just
happen to get his Priesthood from and decided to pay tithes too? NO! Abraham was part of that Dispensation
Presidency, He had to get His Priesthood from the Dispensation Priest and King, and he would naturally paid
tithes unto the Priest of that Dispensation, the ones who held a greater calling and office than Abraham. And as I
contend and testify that it was Melchizedek (or Shem who was Uriel), Noah (Shem/Melchizedek's Father, who
are after the pattern of Priest and King [always related by blood], from Noah's Dispensation, and Noah was
Gabriel, both Archangels), and they both came after Enoch (who was Raphael, whom Melchizedek obtained
unto his city). And it was Noah and Shem/Melchizedek who came with Enoch, unto Abraham, and he seeing
them coming ran unto them, and bowed unto Melchizedek and called Him 'Lord'. These are the three Angels
who came and set themselves to go down unto Sodom and Gomorrah and destroy those cities. That is why
Abraham was so forward in his attempts to persuade 'the Lord' into saving those cities, if a few righteous souls
might be found there. Also, Sariah would have not dared laugh at the saying of her giving birth in her old age, to
some unknown Lord's who had come visiting! She knew who they were and though light of it (thinking it was a
joke) being pointed at her.

May this once and for all explain the great mystery as to why in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Paul
characterization of Melchisedech and the Messianic importance of the Messiah is "a priest forever according to
the order of Melchisedech" (Hebrews 6:6; Psalms 66:4); and "a high priest forever" (Hebrews 6:20) are fully
explained, that they are one in the same person! And to a lessor degree, that there were not two Great High
Priests presiding at the same time in Abraham's day, Shem and Melchizedek! That this answers the question, as
to why the record is silent concerning Shem's ministry, and also why nothing is known concerning Melchizedek's
ancestry, except the one statement from the D&C Section 84:14:

"Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his
fathers, even till Noah."
[D. & C. 84:14]

That this appears to make it seem from this revelation, that there must have been at least two
generations between Melchizedek and Shem, because of this wording, though it is not conclusive or clear
either way! Abraham stands next to Shem in the patriarchal order of the priesthood and would likely have
received the priesthood from him, but according to D&C 84:5-7, Abraham received his the priesthood from
Melchizedek. And if we were to turn to what Elder John Taylor said while editor of the Times and Seasons,
published the following:

“From this definite account of driving the "nations apart, when the ancient hills did bow," all reflecting
minds may judge that man was scattered over the whole face of the earth. And with the superior knowledge
of men like Noah, Shem (who was Melchizedek) and Abraham, the father of the faithful, three
contemporaries, holding the keys of the highest order of the priesthood...”
John Taylor, "Ancient Ruins," Times and Seasons 5/23 (Dec 15, 1844):746

What did John Taylor know that those who came later in that Dispensation had forgotten or never knew?
Shem was Melchizedek! What have come from the End Time writings called the Kingdom of ZION? That these
men were all part of the Dispensation Presidency: Abraham, Shem/Melchizedek, and Noah who were the
Prophet, Priest and King of the Noadic Dispensation! What am I declaring here? That Shem/Melchizedek was
the Anointed Son of the living G_d, the Messiah, and that He would later come down into this creation (being
Born Again) as the Messiah and Savior of this world!

Shalom Shalom be upon you about these truth. Ahman.

® Copyrighted by Kingdom of ZION (KoZ) ver1-20, 2002)