Section 107
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 107 is a paramount text for Latter-day Saint ecclesiology, providing the comprehensive structural blueprint for the church's priesthood hierarchy. The text delineates the division of divine authority into two distinct orders: the higher Melchizedek Priesthood, which governs spiritual blessings, mysteries, and direct communion with God, and the lesser Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood, which oversees temporal affairs, outward ordinances like baptism, and the ministering of angels. It establishes a complex governing structure consisting of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Quorums of the Seventy, asserting that these bodies hold equal authority but operate in a specific order of precedence and must make decisions in total unanimity. Furthermore, the revelation traces the lineage of the priesthood back to Adam, whom it explicitly identifies as Michael the Archangel, and details the patriarchal succession through the antediluvian patriarchs down to Noah. The section culminates in the assertion that the President of the High Priesthood serves as a seer, revelator, translator, and prophet, akin to Moses. For believers, this text is essential as it legitimizes the modern LDS Church's hierarchical authority, tying its governance directly to ancient biblical patriarchs and divine mandate, while placing a heavy emphasis on duty, worthiness, and exact obedience to priesthood structure.
Key Figures
- Melchizedek: Described as a great high priest after whom the higher priesthood is named to avoid frequent repetition of the name of the Supreme Being.
- Adam (Michael): Identified as the first patriarch, the archangel Michael, and the prince over his posterity forever.
- Seth: Son of Adam, described as a perfect man in the express likeness of his father, ordained to the priesthood.
- Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah: Antediluvian patriarchs listed in a direct lineage of priesthood ordination from Adam.
- Aaron: The biblical figure after whom the lesser priesthood is named, which was conferred upon him and his seed.
- Moses: Used as the archetype for the President of the High Priesthood, who is to be a seer, revelator, translator, and prophet.
- Jesus: Identified as the mediator of the new covenant, whose presence can be enjoyed by those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Bifurcation of Priesthood Authority
Assertion
Divine authority is divided into two distinct priesthoods: the higher Melchizedek Priesthood and the lesser Aaronic Priesthood.
Evidence from Text
There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
Evangelical Comparison
In LDS theology, the priesthood is the literal power and authority of God delegated to men on earth, divided into two main orders. The Melchizedek Priesthood handles spiritual administration, while the Aaronic handles temporal matters and basic ordinances. Evangelical Christianity, relying on the Book of Hebrews, teaches that the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood was a shadow of things to come and was fulfilled and rendered obsolete by Christ's perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 7:11-12). Furthermore, the Melchizedek priesthood is unique to Jesus Christ; because He lives forever, He holds His priesthood permanently and intransmissibly (Hebrews 7:24). Evangelicals believe in the 'universal priesthood of all believers' (1 Peter 2:9), where all Christians have direct access to God without the need for a specialized class of human priests.
Keys of Spiritual Blessings
Assertion
The Melchizedek Priesthood is required to unlock spiritual blessings, mysteries, and communion with God.
Evidence from Text
The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them... and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 107 asserts that human men holding the Melchizedek Priesthood hold the 'keys' necessary for the church to access the mysteries of heaven and the presence of God. This creates a mediatorial hierarchy. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity teaches that when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that direct access to the Father is now available to all who are in Christ. Hebrews 10:19-22 urges all believers to have 'confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.' No secondary human priesthood is required to unlock spiritual blessings, as believers are already 'blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places' (Ephesians 1:3).
Adam as Michael the Archangel
Assertion
Adam, the first man, is also Michael the Archangel.
Evidence from Text
And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
Evangelical Comparison
This text explicitly conflates the biblical figure of Adam with the archangel Michael. In LDS theology, Michael was a pre-mortal spirit who came to earth to gain a physical body as Adam. Evangelical Christianity maintains a strict ontological distinction between humans and angels. Angels are a separate order of creation (Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7). Adam was created from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), while Michael is a powerful angelic prince (Daniel 10:13, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7) who never experienced mortal incarnation or the fall.
The Prophetic Office and Presidency
Assertion
The President of the High Priesthood holds all the gifts of God and acts as a seer, revelator, translator, and prophet.
Evidence from Text
And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.
Evangelical Comparison
The text establishes a single man at the head of the church who possesses the exclusive right to receive revelation for the entire body, translating ancient records and acting as a modern Moses. Evangelical Christianity adheres to Sola Scriptura, believing that God's special revelation to humanity was completed with the closing of the New Testament canon (Jude 1:3, Revelation 22:18-19). While God still guides and illuminates, there is no longer a need for a foundational 'prophet' or 'seer' to deliver new, binding scripture or to mediate God's will to the church, as Christ is the final Word (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text replaces the sufficiency of Christ's unique priesthood and the universal priesthood of believers with a rigid, multi-tiered human hierarchy required to mediate God's presence and blessings.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The fundamental theological gap lies in ecclesiology and Christology. D&C 107 constructs an elaborate, necessary human hierarchy to manage the grace and presence of God. By asserting that the Melchizedek Priesthood holds the 'keys' to the mysteries of heaven and communion with God, the text effectively places human mediators between the believer and the Father. This directly violates the Evangelical pillar of the Universal Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), which asserts that all Christians are priests who can offer spiritual sacrifices. Furthermore, it violates orthodox Christology by distributing the Melchizedek priesthood to millions of men. The author of Hebrews goes to great lengths to prove that Jesus is the *only* valid High Priest of the Melchizedek order because He is eternal and sinless (Hebrews 7:23-28). To claim this priesthood for mortal men is, from an evangelical perspective, to usurp a title and function that belongs exclusively to the Son of God.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a direct phone line to the King, and you can call Him anytime because His Son gave you the phone. That's what Christians believe Jesus did for us. But this text says you can't use the phone yourself. Instead, you have to go through a very specific group of managers and supervisors who have special 'keys' to make the call for you. It takes away the direct connection Jesus gave us and puts human leaders in the middle.
Friction Points
Universal Priesthood
Denies that all believers have equal, unmediated access to God's presence by requiring a specialized class of Melchizedek priesthood holders to unlock spiritual blessings.
Christology
Distributes the Melchizedek priesthood to mortal men, contradicting Hebrews 7 which states Jesus holds it permanently and exclusively because He lives forever.
Sola Scriptura
Establishes a modern Prophet/President with the authority to receive new revelation and dictate binding church law.
Theology Proper / Anthropology
Conflates the first human, Adam, with the archangel Michael, blurring the ontological distinction between humanity and angelic beings.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Priesthood"
In This Text
The literal power and authority of God delegated to worthy male members to act in His name and govern His church.
In Evangelicalism
The spiritual status of all born-again believers, granting them direct access to God and the calling to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service.
"Evangelical ministers"
In This Text
A specific priesthood office (Patriarch) ordained by the Twelve to give patriarchal blessings.
In Evangelicalism
Preachers of the Gospel (evangelists) who proclaim the good news of salvation.
"Apostle"
In This Text
A high-ranking priesthood office within a specific governing quorum of twelve men.
In Evangelicalism
The foundational, first-century witnesses to the resurrection of Christ who were directly commissioned by Him.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: While not explicitly defining salvation, the text implies that ultimate spiritual success (enjoying the presence of God) is contingent upon the ordinances and keys of the priesthood.
How Attained: Through obedience to priesthood authority, receiving outward ordinances (baptism), and diligent performance of priesthood duties.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on personal worthiness, diligence in learning one's duty, and not being 'slothful' (v. 100).
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text is antithetical to Sola Fide. It explicitly states that one must 'show himself approved' and not be 'slothful' to be 'counted worthy to stand.' Evangelicalism teaches that we are counted worthy to stand solely by faith in Christ's finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 8:1), not by our diligence in ecclesiastical offices.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Every man must learn his duty and act in his appointed office in all diligence.
- The Twelve must ordain evangelical ministers (patriarchs) in large branches.
- Decisions of the presiding quorums must be made by unanimous voice.
- Decisions must be made in righteousness, holiness, meekness, and faith.
Implicit Obligations
- Strict submission to the hierarchical chain of command within the priesthood.
- Reverence for the President of the High Priesthood as the ultimate earthly authority.
- Dependence on priesthood holders for the administration of spiritual and temporal blessings.
Ritual Requirements
- Administration of outward ordinances, specifically the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
- Administering of ordinances and blessings by the laying on of hands.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- Hebrews 7:23-24 says that in the Old Testament there were many priests because they died, but Jesus holds His priesthood permanently because He lives forever. If Jesus still holds the Melchizedek priesthood, why does it need to be transferred to men today?
- Verses 18-19 say the Melchizedek priesthood is needed to enjoy the presence of God. How does this compare to Hebrews 10:19-22, which says we have confidence to enter the holy places simply by the blood of Jesus?
- Verse 100 says that he who is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand. How does that make you feel about your standing before God? Have you ever felt the peace described in Romans 5:1, where we have peace with God through faith, not our performance?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for communion with God
This deep, beautiful desire for intimacy with God is exactly what the Gospel provides. However, the Gospel teaches that this intimacy is not unlocked by human priesthood keys, but was purchased by the blood of Christ. When Jesus died, the veil was torn, granting all believers direct access to the Father.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Verse 100 places a severe burden on the believer: 'He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand.' This creates a constant, low-grade anxiety about whether one is doing enough, serving enough, or magnifying their calling sufficiently to be acceptable to God.
By teaching that spiritual blessings and the mysteries of heaven are locked behind the keys held by the Melchizedek priesthood, believers are made spiritually dependent on human leaders. If a believer feels disconnected from God, the structural implication is that they must seek out a priesthood leader rather than going directly to Christ.