Angels, Ordination, and the 144,000

Doctrine and Covenants 77 is a revelation given in March 1832 to the Prophet Joseph Smith explaining what John saw anciently about events that would take place in the days of the Restoration when the authority, keys and power would be restored. Holy angels were sent from God to ordain Joseph Smith to the Holy Priesthood and bestow upon him all necessary priesthood keys to bless the Saints of the Church in preparation for the Millennial return of the Savior Jesus Christ. Referring to events discussed in Revelation chapter 7, D&C 77:11 reads:

Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those  who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn (D&C 77:11).

Does this refer to angelic ordination outside of the authority and keys restored and existing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

No.

This is clear from the words found in verse 11 and other revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants that explain how his Church is governed.

“High Priests”

The one hundred and forty-four thousand are stated to be high priests. High Priest is one of the priesthood offices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As is the case with other priesthood offices, High Priests do not act apart from the restored authority in the Lord’s Church. The only act in accordance with the “covenants and commandments of the Church” (D&C 107:12). Like all other officers of the Priesthood in the Church they must be sustained by common consent and under the direction of established and recognized Church authorities. “No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of that church” (D&C 20:65). Also, “Every president of the High Priesthood or presiding elder, bishop, high councilor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high council or general conference” (D&C 20:67).

“Ordained”

The high priests spoken of are to be ordained. “We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (The Articles of Faith, 5). According to the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants who can ordain to priesthood office? This requires priesthood authority. The Holy priesthood after the order of God, also known as the Melchizedek priesthood (of which the Aaronic priesthood is a lesser portion (D&C 107:1-7) is the authority through which all ordinations and ordinances must be done in order to be valid and recognized by God. “The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world to administer in spiritual things. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the Church. High priests after the order of Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things” (D&C 107: 8-10). The President of the Church presides over all priesthood holders in the Church. “From the same comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by the laying on of hands” (D&C 107:67). Also, “It is the duty of the Twelve also, to ordain and set in order all the other officers of the Church” (D&C 107:58). In other words, legitimate holders of the office of high priest, as with all other officers of the Church will always act under the direction and authorization of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, either directly, or as delegated to those who have been given authority.

“By the Angels to whom is given power”

As noted above, the revealed explanation in D&C 77:11 was given in March 1832 and is explaining what John the ancient Apostle saw about the future restoration. The revelations explain that the Lord sent angels to bestow and restore priesthood keys of authority to the Prophet Joseph Smith. These angels included John the Baptist who restored the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood and Peter James and John who restored the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood. They also include other angels to bestow various keys, such as Moroni, Michael, Moses, Elias, Elijah the Prophet, and others to the Prophet as well (D&C 27:5-16; 110:11-16; 128:20-21). Among the most important of those keys was the sealing power restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith (D&C 128:14, 18; 132:7, 45-49).

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this angelically restored priesthood authority is bestowed through those to whom has been delegated that authority through regular ordination through established and recognized Church leaders. This principle is shown in the revelations. For example, the Lord told Edward Partridge, “And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney” (D&C 36:2). In other words, the pattern given is that the Lord delegates the angelic authority restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith by the hand of his authorized servants in his established Church and kingdom. It it not bestowed outside of that authorized channel.

“To Administer the everlasting Gospel”

The high priests in question would be called to “administer the everlasting Gospel” and “bring as many as will come to the Church of the Firstborn” (D&C 77:11). In the revelation of the law for governing his Church the Lord made it clear  that “it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the Church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church” (D&C 42:11). This means that the high priests mentioned above, whatever the details of the responsibility will act under the direction of the regularly established Church leaders who have the authority to ordain and set such things in order, not by others who might take such things upon themselves or claim revelation to do so outside established lines of authority.

From the above, it is clear that whatever the details and future roles and responsibility of the one hundred and forty-four thousand high priests may be, these things will be revealed and appointed under the direction of the Lord’s authorized servants in his Church, that is the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.