LDS Freedom Forum

I have noticed in the Book of Mormon, As converts to the Church are made, they "Consecrate" new Priests and Teachers to guide them and teach them, As in Alma 23:4 "And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success.".

Why are they consecrated and not ordained?

I have no idea. I thought if I threw it out there, some of you would have already figured this out.

Rand wrote:I have noticed in the Book of Mormon, As converts to the Church are made, they "Consecrate" new Priests and Teachers to guide them and teach them, As in Alma 23:4 And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from acity to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating bpriests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success..

Why are they consecrated and not ordained?

I have no idea. I thought if I threw it out there, some of you would have already figured this out.

At first glance, it appears the Book of Mormon, as it is translated into English, is synonymous between consecrate, ordain and appoint. It's possible that the same word was used in Nephite Hebrew when spoken. See other instances such as 2 Ne 5:26, Jarom 1:11, Mosiah 23:17; 25:19, Alma 4:7; 15:13; 23:4; 45:23, Moro 3:1. (http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/Moroni3.htm)

Additionally, when ordained, one actually is consecrated, or set apart, from others to do a specific task. He could also be referred to as being appointed to do a specific task. In my opinion it's just word choice.

LDSguy wrote:

Rand wrote:I have noticed in the Book of Mormon, As converts to the Church are made, they "Consecrate" new Priests and Teachers to guide them and teach them, As in Alma 23:4 And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from acity to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating bpriests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success..

Why are they consecrated and not ordained?

I have no idea. I thought if I threw it out there, some of you would have already figured this out.

At first glance, it appears the Book of Mormon, as it is translated into English, is synonymous between consecrate, ordain and appoint. It's possible that the same word was used in Nephite Hebrew when spoken. See other instances such as 2 Ne 5:26, Jarom 1:11, Mosiah 23:17; 25:19, Alma 4:7; 15:13; 23:4; 45:23, Moro 3:1. (http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/Moroni3.htm)

Additionally, when ordained, one actually is consecrated, or set apart, from others to do a specific task. He could also be referred to as being appointed to do a specific task. In my opinion it's just word choice.

LDSguy, good thoughts. I have found that there is no such thing as a random word choice in the scriptures. There is always a meaning and a deeper meaning to words and the words chosen. In the Bible, that might be accurate. In the Book of Mormon, I have always seen deeper meaning in the peculiar word choices. I will keep digging. I thank you for your thoughts.

Rand wrote:LDSguy, good thoughts. I have found that there is no such thing as a random word choice in the scriptures. There is always a meaning and a deeper meaning to words and the words chosen. In the Bible, that might be accurate. In the Book of Mormon, I have always seen deeper meaning in the peculiar word choices. I will keep digging. I thank you for your thoughts.

The Bible is replete with instances where individuals in the priesthood were "consecrated" and not explicitly "ordained"...

http://lds.org/scriptures/search?lang=e ... chronology

To consecrate has more of a Temple inference. Is that the difference, or is it just a word usage. I vote for Temple.

since the BoM is the MOST correct book....why question it, what difference does it make, to many angels on the head of a pin?

I am not doubting it, but seeking to understand the perfection of it. We grow into our Knowledge through faith.

There is a different in birthright... for a Levite or an Aaronite, they are consecrated to the service in the Priesthood. The BoM is a record of descendents of Yesrael. The latter-day dispensation thus far is a Gentile Dispensation and those chosen to service in the Priesthood is not by birthright. They are ordained... initiated into.

Shalom

Kingdom of ZION wrote:There is a different in birthright... for a Levite or an Aaronite, they are consecrated to the service in the Priesthood. The BoM is a record of descendents of Yesrael. The latter-day dispensation thus far is a Gentile Dispensation and those chosen to service in the Priesthood is not by birthright. They are ordained... initiated into.

Shalom

good point KOZ. I have always remembered that if someone was to walk into our sacrament service, and PROVE that he was a literal descendant of Levi (I assume he'd have to be a member of the church/local ward first, of course), then he'd become the Bishop outright, as he is consecrated to be the leader of the Aaronic Priesthood.

LDSguy wrote:

Kingdom of ZION wrote:There is a different in birthright... for a Levite or an Aaronite, they are consecrated to the service in the Priesthood. The BoM is a record of descendents of Yesrael. The latter-day dispensation thus far is a Gentile Dispensation and those chosen to service in the Priesthood is not by birthright. They are ordained... initiated into.

Shalom

good point KOZ. I have always remembered that if someone was to walk into our sacrament service, and PROVE that he was a literal descendant of Levi (I assume he'd have to be a member of the church/local ward first, of course), then he'd become the Bishop outright, as he is consecrated to be the leader of the Aaronic Priesthood.

I someone were to walk in and declare such a thing, they would not believe him. They would be good Pharisee and Scribes and say you must prove your birthright. And just how would one be able to do such a thing? Maybe if his last name is Cohan (meaning Priest), he might stand a microscopic chance. They would just then demand you had your genealogy from father to son for the last 4500 years... like that is possible. I would not hold your breathe until the next Dispensation dawns.

Shalom

It is an interesting choice of words. Joseph Smith's translation is correct. He read through the seer stones exactly the words the Lord chose to give to him. When Elders "consecrate" oil today, they bless and dedicated it for a sole purpose. It means, "to declare sacred." Those in the Book of Mormon who were consecrated Priests were dedicating their lives to the Lord and to His sacred work, much as young men today are called and set apart to serve a full time mission. They are dedicated to a holy work and entitled to divine help (miracles, angels, blessings, etc) according to their faith, diligence, etc.

Good thoughts Coachmarc and BrentL. I guess maybe they chose from among those that were already ordained? Or as KOZ says, they were of the blood of Israel and were consecrated because they were possessed of the priesthood by birthright. Hmmm I will continue to ponder on this. Thanks for bringing it back up Coachmarc.

Lehi was a descendant of Joseph, son of Jacob. More specifically, Lehi was descended from Manasseh, son of Joseph. Therefore his sons were also of Joseph.

Consecrate means to "set apart" for a specific purpose while ordain means to set apart to a specific priesthood position. In this instance, teacher is not a priesthood position but rather an instructor, while priest is an official priesthood position. Therefore both can be consecrated but only the priest can be ordained. Ordained always means consecrated, consecrated may or may not mean ordained.

laronius wrote:Consecrate means to "set apart" for a specific purpose while ordain means to set apart to a specific priesthood position. In this instance, teacher is not a priesthood position but rather an instructor, while priest is an official priesthood position. Therefore both can be consecrated but only the priest can be ordained. Ordained always means consecrated, consecrated may or may not mean ordained.

Correct, I was going to say this, but then noticed you already had.