Choice 2: Numbers 3; 8; 18. Change of Policy in the Kingdom of God

I chose to do this assignment because I was interested in it.  I learned things about the Priesthood that I didn’t know about.  I did think that this assignment was about the black’s receiving the Priesthood later.  But I will have to do my own research on it. 

1.    Assume that you have a nonmember friend who does not understand why in 1978 the Church changed the policy of who could receive the priesthood. Read Numbers 3:5-12; 8:5-16; 18:1-2 and Bible Dictionary, “Aaronic Priesthood” (599-600); “Levites” (724). Write one or two paragraphs about how these scriptures might help explain why and how changes sometimes occur in the kingdom of God. Be sure to include the source of these changes and through whom the changes come as found in Numbers 3:5.

This subject was brought up in my capstone class.  I was curious to learn more about this subject. In the Bible Dictionary it says that today there are no Levites so everyone holds the Aaronic Priesthood today.  The lineal restrictions were lifted when the Law of Moses was fulfilled; therefore the offices of the priesthood were conferred upon worth men without limitation to the tribe of Levi.  The source of these changes came from the Lord.   

1.    Write a comparative statement about the similarities in the wording of Numbers 3:5-12

and Official Declaration—

Numbers: 3:7 And they shall keep his charge

Numbers 3: 8 And they shall keep all the instruments.

Numbers 3:10 The stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 

1.    Read Numbers 8:6, 14; Isaiah 52:11; 3 Nephi 10:41; Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-36, 41–42. Make a written comparison between the requirements for those holding the priesthood then and now. Explain in writing the meaning of the word separate in Numbers 8:14 and how it applies to priesthood holders today.

The Levites back then need to cleanse themselves, and separate themselves from everyone else.  Instead of physical cleanliness we are told to spiritually clean.  We shall touch no unclean thing.  In other words we need to stay away from sin.  Only the righteous can have the priesthood.  All could receive the priesthood but few are worth for it.  You cannot be worthy for the priesthood if your heart is set upon the things of the world and aspire to the honors of men.  I believe separate in Numbers 8:14 means we need to separate ourselves from sin.