PRIESTHOOD VERSUS PRIESTCRAFT, Chapter 3 part of of Holy Priesthood Volume 1

PRIESTHOOD VERSUS PRIESTCRAFT, Chapter 3 part of of Holy Priesthood Volume 1

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He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. (2 Ne. 26:29)

A priest is required to be different from all other men. He should have two distinguishing features: one is in the nature of the office he holds, and the other is in his character. His office commands him to labor and teach and administer the principles and ordinances of the Gospel. But his greatest labor should be to accept and perfect those principles in his own character.

From a retrospect of the requirements of the servants of God to preach the Gospel, we find FEW qualified even to be Priests. . . . (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 112)

Difficulty arises because men are prone to do evil because of the forces of the natural man. By overcoming evil they seek to do the will of God. Thus it is by their “works” that the inner man can be detected, for—-

. . . every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. * * * It is against the nature of a good man to do evil, just as it is for a wicked man to do good. Because of this simple fact, Jesus concluded by saying, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:17-18, 20)