In the LDS church, there are a number of rites and ordinances performed in which the Priesthood holder acting as voice declares “by the power (and/or authority) of the Melchizedek priesthood…” as part of the performance. But here is a fundamental question: Should we be doing this?
It is assumed that because the LDS church is the only church “authorized” to perform these acts as the hand of God, that we need to declare that fact openly, and that the procedure used is the best way to make sure this is done. That way both man and the heavens can acknowledge their witness that this was an authorized act.
But here are the problems with that argument.
1. There is no scriptural injunction for us to do this. The scriptures only teach to perform acts in Christ’s behalf by declaring that you are doing such things in His name, or with His authority. There is no mention of any priesthood declarations as part of any ordinance.
2. There is no record of Joseph Smith—or any prophet before him—performing any of these same things with a statement of priesthood authority. They only performed them in the name of Jesus Christ, with His authority, in accordance with the scriptures.
3. The very fact that you declare that you are performing some function in the name of Jesus Christ IS in and of itself declaring your authority. You are naming the source of your authority, and it is understood that the acts you are performing as a faithful servant are precisely what was authorized by that authoritative source. No more, no less. Therefore, declaring “by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood” is at best an unnecessary redundancy, and at worst, an incorrect assessment and declaration of what power you think you have when perhaps you do not.
4. If the scriptures and the Lord have never required of us to begin declaring our priesthood as a part of performing ordinances, then every instance of us mingling this tradition into our ordinances is a violation of Isaiah 24:5, and Joseph Smith’s declarations concerning ordinances:
“And again, God purposed in Himself that there should not be an eternal fullness until every dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered together in one, and that all things whatsoever, that should be gathered together in one in those dispensations unto the same fullness and eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus; therefore He set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever, and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them…
The power, glory and blessings of the Priesthood could not continue with those who received ordination only as their righteousness continued; for Cain also being authorized to offer sacrifice, but not offering it in righteousness, was cursed. It signifies, then, that the ordinances must be kept in the very way God has appointed; otherwise their Priesthood will prove a cursing instead of a blessing.” — Joseph Smith, October 1840 Conference
“Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed.” — Joseph Smith, June 11, 1843
Whether you choose to include this added declaration of priesthood authority in your performance of ordinances or not, you will be faced with potentially offending somebody. So, who would you rather risk offending? The God of Heaven, by performing what He has authorized with unauthorized alterations, thereby taking His name in vain, losing His authoritative backing, and becoming a pretender? Or the men who seek by their supposed authority to require that you offend God in this manner, and have thereby perhaps offended Him and lost His endorsement themselves?
