Choice 3: Genesis 14:18-20; JST, Genesis 14:25-40. Who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was a man of faith and was very righteous.  Melchizedek is often thought to be Shem, Noah’s son.  Melchizedek’s name is a title that means “king of righteousness”.  As a child he feared God.  He was ordained a high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch.  Melchizedek lived in Salem and established righteousness there.  His people were wicked but he was able to call them to repentance.  He was known as the King of heaven by his people or in other words the King of peace because he had established peace in the land of Salem.  There were many kings before and after Melchizedek but none was better than he.  There was no greater High Priest than he.  Melchizedek knew Abram.  Abraham received the Priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it from the lineage of his fathers.  Abram paid tithing to Melchizedek.  In turn Abram was blessed with riches, and honor, and lands. 

                The reason we call the first Priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.  Out of respect and reverence to the name of Jesus Christ instead of being called the Holy Priesthood, the Priesthood was called after Melchizedek.