The Lord then proceeds to give other officers, - Joseph's counselors, the Twelve and its presidency, etc. Then is provided that the quorum of First Presidency shall "receive the oracles (revelations and instructions) for the whole church." - Verse 126. (Receiving them from God through the President of Priesthood).

The Church, then, is auxiliary to Priesthood - one of its helps and governments. "The Priesthood is essential the Church", said President J. Reuben Clark, "but the Church is NOT essential to the Priesthood." This truth is obvious and should for all time settle the notion many of the Saints have that the Church is the head - the ultimate in power and authority.

The Patriarchal Priesthood descends from father to son, while the higher order is, as the Prophet explained it:

"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." The Melchisedek Priesthood holds the right from the Eternal God, and not by descent from father and mother, and that Priesthood is as eternal as God Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. - History of Church, 5:555.

The Prophet explains the first or higher order of Priesthood as follows:

The King of Shiloam (Salem - Melchisedek) had power and authority over that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless life. * * * Those holding the fulness of the Melchisedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact that Priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.

Brigham Young is credited with the following statement, which is sound doctrine (found in part in J. D., 9:87):

There are in the Church two Priesthoods, namely, the Melchisedek and the Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood (D. & C. 107:1). But there is additional Priesthood that has never been delegated to the Church. The Lord Himself handles this Priesthood and gives it to whom and when He pleases. Man does not call another man to this order, neither does man secure it by the request or selection of any man on earth. The call comes by messenger from heaven requesting designated individuals into the House of God (and it is what is known to Latter-day Saints as the second anointing), preparatory to receiving the Second Comforter, which completes their ordination. Sometimes this Second Comforter is given while in the Temple. Often it does not come until years after, even just at death. But they who have had their second anointings can see the face of the Lord and live, even though being in the flesh, as one sees and talks to another.

This Priesthood has been on the earth at various times. Adam had it, Seth had it, Enoch had it, Noah had it, Abraham and Lot had it; and it was handed down to the days of the Prophets long after the days of the Ancients. This High Priesthood rules, directs, governs and controls all the Priesthoods, because it is the highest of all.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received, not only the Priesthood of Melchisedek, but the order of Priesthood that comprehends all power as previously explained - the Priesthood that embraces the Apostolic calling.

Here we must differentiate between the different orders of Apostles:

An Apostle is a "trustee ambassador of Jesus Christ." To be an ambassador of the highest order one must personally know the object of his ambassadorship - in this instance he must know Jesus Christ, having had his hands laid upon him.