What do you think?
Rate this book
Power from on High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood
Authority and priesthood were concepts that developed gradually in Mormon theology, not as thunderbolts but as ideas that acquired meaning and momentum over time. Acting initially on the basis of implied leadership, Joseph Smith moved toward explicit angelic authority and an increasingly defined structure drawn from biblical models. All the while the structure of higher and lower priesthoods fluctuated in response to pragmatic needs. Priests were needed to perform ordinances, teachers to lead congregations, bishops to manage church assets, and elders to proselytize–responsibilities which would be redistributed repeatedly throughout Smith’s fourteen-year ministry. Gregory Prince charts these developments with impressive interpretative skill. Besides the obvious historical significance, he underscores the implications for current Mormon governance. For instance, where innovations have characterized the past, one need not be bound by custom or surprised when church leaders instigate change.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1995
12 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 19, 2009
In Power From on High, Gregory Prince outlines the development of the Mormon priesthood and associated ordinances. This uncorrelated view is revealing and informative. By tracing the concepts of priesthood authority from Book of Mormon style (I-got-it-cause-I-feel-it) to linear (you-only-get-it-by-laying-on-of-hands-by-"authority") modes, a more complex portrait of early Church functions is revealed. For example, the term "seal" and "endowment" had various meanings in Church history, depending on the specific year in which they were used. Without an understanding these terms in their proper historical context, primary documents cannot be properly interpreted or understood.
The book starts with the evolution of the priesthood itself, followed by the development of offices and associated ordinances. Short chapters at the end of the book deal with Church judicial systems and women and the priesthood.
Standout "fun" facts for me: scriptural changes to justify priesthood rights and roles, the connection of the second anointing to Brigham's succession claims, the changing role of the patriarchal office and priesthood, the various sealing doctrines, baptism and confirmation for health, Prince's conclusion about the development of a masonic endowment ceremony, and material about the second anointing.
The book starts with the evolution of the priesthood itself, followed by the development of offices and associated ordinances. Short chapters at the end of the book deal with Church judicial systems and women and the priesthood.
Standout "fun" facts for me: scriptural changes to justify priesthood rights and roles, the connection of the second anointing to Brigham's succession claims, the changing role of the patriarchal office and priesthood, the various sealing doctrines, baptism and confirmation for health, Prince's conclusion about the development of a masonic endowment ceremony, and material about the second anointing.
August 6, 2022
This was my fourth book by Prince and while not as entertaining (at all) as the others this one did appear to be authoritative with a thematic and comprehensive approach to understanding everything connected to priesthood, it’s offices and ordinances and their development.
I say development because Prince often points out that nothing was a static explosion of revelatory events but rather the historical record indicates process and refinement.
“The answer appears to devolve from a model which recognizes Latter-day Saint revelation as primarily process rather than event. This means that doctrines and ordinances during Smith’s ministry developed gradually. The two most dramatic examples were endowment and sealing, both of which showed continual development from 1831 to 1844. Yet though each showed continual development, punctuated by several key changes of greater magnitude, in no case was a key change attributable to angelic visitation.”
This even though the church indicates that sealing power was reestablished in 1836’s visitation by Elijah during the third session of the School of the Prophets in Kirtland.
I guess line upon line precept upon precept as it is.
Another example is baptism which, in the earliest Church, was used in four ways for four purposes, only two of which are still practiced today as baptisms for health and rebaptisms for a renewed remission of sins are no longer sanctioned.
The big take away for me was that Prince clearly demonstrates through a plethora of historical accounts that revelation is developmental rather than a singular event. While this is somewhat contrary to modern cultural constructs it’s consistent throughout the history of the church.
Where as some only see frailty and fallibility of out of touch and benign men who lie and deceive, there is a record that allows for revelating, as it would be, in which process aims to clarify and perfect.
Prince seems to agree:
“This is not to say that current dialogue concerning the ecclesiastical status of women is either unimportant or insoluble. To the contrary, it appears to be one of the crucial issues facing the contemporary church. Its ultimate resolution, however, will likely occur through a combination of sensitivity to the historical record both during and after Smith’s ministry, consideration of the world in which we now live, and deference to the decisive role available to the sitting president of the church to draw upon sources beyond himself for understanding.”
My person sentiment is that dualistic extremes bear no resemblance to the well established historical and theological narrative, even if one of those extremes is sourced in an era of the church itself. I believe that Prince supports this notion as it’s a common thread throughout all his decade long endeavors. (FOUR AMAZINGLY WELL SOURCED AND EVEN HANDED BOOKS)
After everything and above all else, I’m grateful that Prince has managed to maintain a path of immense credibility. I’d place him among the most important LDS historians of the 21st century, almost in a class of his own.
His writings are well worth your effort and time.
I say development because Prince often points out that nothing was a static explosion of revelatory events but rather the historical record indicates process and refinement.
“The answer appears to devolve from a model which recognizes Latter-day Saint revelation as primarily process rather than event. This means that doctrines and ordinances during Smith’s ministry developed gradually. The two most dramatic examples were endowment and sealing, both of which showed continual development from 1831 to 1844. Yet though each showed continual development, punctuated by several key changes of greater magnitude, in no case was a key change attributable to angelic visitation.”
This even though the church indicates that sealing power was reestablished in 1836’s visitation by Elijah during the third session of the School of the Prophets in Kirtland.
I guess line upon line precept upon precept as it is.
Another example is baptism which, in the earliest Church, was used in four ways for four purposes, only two of which are still practiced today as baptisms for health and rebaptisms for a renewed remission of sins are no longer sanctioned.
The big take away for me was that Prince clearly demonstrates through a plethora of historical accounts that revelation is developmental rather than a singular event. While this is somewhat contrary to modern cultural constructs it’s consistent throughout the history of the church.
Where as some only see frailty and fallibility of out of touch and benign men who lie and deceive, there is a record that allows for revelating, as it would be, in which process aims to clarify and perfect.
Prince seems to agree:
“This is not to say that current dialogue concerning the ecclesiastical status of women is either unimportant or insoluble. To the contrary, it appears to be one of the crucial issues facing the contemporary church. Its ultimate resolution, however, will likely occur through a combination of sensitivity to the historical record both during and after Smith’s ministry, consideration of the world in which we now live, and deference to the decisive role available to the sitting president of the church to draw upon sources beyond himself for understanding.”
My person sentiment is that dualistic extremes bear no resemblance to the well established historical and theological narrative, even if one of those extremes is sourced in an era of the church itself. I believe that Prince supports this notion as it’s a common thread throughout all his decade long endeavors. (FOUR AMAZINGLY WELL SOURCED AND EVEN HANDED BOOKS)
After everything and above all else, I’m grateful that Prince has managed to maintain a path of immense credibility. I’d place him among the most important LDS historians of the 21st century, almost in a class of his own.
His writings are well worth your effort and time.
August 20, 2022
Gregory Prince disclaims in the Acknowledgements section that his professional training is in science, not history or theology. Perhaps that’s why his book—Power from on High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood—feels different to me than most Mormon history books I’ve read. It is less a narrative and more an analysis, almost like a textbook. I became aware of the book while listening to Sunstone Mormon History Podcast.
Prince explores the minutia, the nuts and bolts you might say, of how Mormon priesthood developed. Readers hoping for edge-of-the-seat narrative expose may be disappointed. I for one had to recalibrate my expectations, though I enjoyed and value the material.
This is more of a reference work than a cohesive story. That may be the book’s most profound message—the story of developing Mormon priesthood simply was never cohesive. Prince emphasizes it was a process rather than an event. Readers hoping for a tidy, contradiction-free story will be frustrated. Nevertheless, Prince offers an astute, detail-oriented look at how Mormon priesthood came to be, or as the believer will say, how it was restored.
I appreciated how Prince avoids the urge to make assumptions. For instance, he works hard to explain distinctions between authority and office, as well as to show how offices came to derive their authority. He digs into the multiple ways in which early saints used the words ordain and seal. I especially appreciated his observations on how usage of terms evolved. What they mean today isn’t necessarily what they meant to Joseph and his early followers.
Some interesting points I found: the establishment of the First Quorum of Seventies, as well as the introduction of patriarchal blessings, tie into the ill-fated Zion’s Camp. As Prince also notes: “…the office of seventy remained problematic for more than a century thereafter.” Questions over the relationship of the seventy to the apostles was just one point of contention. Also significant to the development of Mormon priesthood was the influence of Campbellism through Sidney Rigdon. From him, the offices of bishop and deacon may have found their way into church organization. As Prince points out: “The office of bishop had no precedent in the Book of Mormon…”
Lastly, Prince discusses the role of women in the priesthood, and how they most assuredly had a role, if not an equal one. Here and elsewhere, Prince maintains a generally sympathetic tone for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His ability to maintain that tone while routinely demystifying priesthood development makes for an interesting mix. Ultimately, Power from on High should be a good reference resource for people across the Mormon spectrum, even if it lacks the readability of a riveting biography or other narrative history book.
Prince explores the minutia, the nuts and bolts you might say, of how Mormon priesthood developed. Readers hoping for edge-of-the-seat narrative expose may be disappointed. I for one had to recalibrate my expectations, though I enjoyed and value the material.
This is more of a reference work than a cohesive story. That may be the book’s most profound message—the story of developing Mormon priesthood simply was never cohesive. Prince emphasizes it was a process rather than an event. Readers hoping for a tidy, contradiction-free story will be frustrated. Nevertheless, Prince offers an astute, detail-oriented look at how Mormon priesthood came to be, or as the believer will say, how it was restored.
I appreciated how Prince avoids the urge to make assumptions. For instance, he works hard to explain distinctions between authority and office, as well as to show how offices came to derive their authority. He digs into the multiple ways in which early saints used the words ordain and seal. I especially appreciated his observations on how usage of terms evolved. What they mean today isn’t necessarily what they meant to Joseph and his early followers.
Some interesting points I found: the establishment of the First Quorum of Seventies, as well as the introduction of patriarchal blessings, tie into the ill-fated Zion’s Camp. As Prince also notes: “…the office of seventy remained problematic for more than a century thereafter.” Questions over the relationship of the seventy to the apostles was just one point of contention. Also significant to the development of Mormon priesthood was the influence of Campbellism through Sidney Rigdon. From him, the offices of bishop and deacon may have found their way into church organization. As Prince points out: “The office of bishop had no precedent in the Book of Mormon…”
Lastly, Prince discusses the role of women in the priesthood, and how they most assuredly had a role, if not an equal one. Here and elsewhere, Prince maintains a generally sympathetic tone for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His ability to maintain that tone while routinely demystifying priesthood development makes for an interesting mix. Ultimately, Power from on High should be a good reference resource for people across the Mormon spectrum, even if it lacks the readability of a riveting biography or other narrative history book.
August 15, 2021
I’m confused why this book doesn’t have a higher rating, although based on reviews I’ve read I’ve concluded that three and four star ratings are primarily due to Prince’s academic and sometimes very dry writing style. The content was incredible. Although I’m fairly-well read (at least compared to most members, especially my age) in church history, I learned something new on almost every page. Very concise and detailed. Loved the footnotes and primary source references and think he could have doubled the size of this book, easily. It’s short but if you can’t read it all, I suggest the chapters on ordinances (chapters 3-6). The book was difficult to find since it’s not in print, but worth the effort and every penny. I think this will be my number one recommendation to people wanting to learn more church history.
February 16, 2021
This is my second foray into a Greg Prince offering. I’m amazed by his attention to detail and copious amount of source work. It is fascinating to make the connections between events in church history and Joseph’s life and subsequent revelations. Prince is careful to stop short of making any judgment of truth claims and allows the reader to come to those conclusions for him/herself. I was sure to take notes as I worked through the chapters, due to my horrible memory. I’d highly recommend this book to those interested in learning about the evolution of priesthood, power, ordinances, and practice.
June 1, 2008
"Power From On High" is Gregory Prince's forensic investigation into the development of the ordinances and offices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Starting with the restoration of the lower priesthood in 1829, Prince documents each successive claim through the years leading up to Joseph Smith's death.
But this is not a neat and clean presentation of the history as most Mormons are accustomed to. No, Prince leaves no stone unturned with often surprising information turned up. The most difficult aspect of this task lies in the unfortunate habit of the 19th century church of revising and changing historical records to bring them into conformity with later beliefs and teachings. Also discussed are aspects of current offices and ordinances that have fallen by the wayside, such as the practice of "re-baptism" where members were rebaptised to renew their commitment to the Church, or baptism for healing where the sick were baptised for the specific purpose of healing.
In addition to the information presented, the book is chock full of interesting and unusual bits of trivia, not the least of which is this quote from the "Millenial Star", the Church publication in England in January of 1844:
"It is with feelings of no ordinary kind, that we address you on the present occasion, relative to the administration of the ordinance of baptism. Whereas, two fatal accidents have lately occurred, in connexion with this ordinance, one at Crewe, in Cheshire, and the other near to Sheffield, whereby two individuals have been drowned. We, therefore, strenuously urge upon the attention of the elders and priests of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that they use every precaution in attending to the all-important ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins, and not be over anxious, so as to endanger themselves or the candidate."
But this is not a neat and clean presentation of the history as most Mormons are accustomed to. No, Prince leaves no stone unturned with often surprising information turned up. The most difficult aspect of this task lies in the unfortunate habit of the 19th century church of revising and changing historical records to bring them into conformity with later beliefs and teachings. Also discussed are aspects of current offices and ordinances that have fallen by the wayside, such as the practice of "re-baptism" where members were rebaptised to renew their commitment to the Church, or baptism for healing where the sick were baptised for the specific purpose of healing.
In addition to the information presented, the book is chock full of interesting and unusual bits of trivia, not the least of which is this quote from the "Millenial Star", the Church publication in England in January of 1844:
"It is with feelings of no ordinary kind, that we address you on the present occasion, relative to the administration of the ordinance of baptism. Whereas, two fatal accidents have lately occurred, in connexion with this ordinance, one at Crewe, in Cheshire, and the other near to Sheffield, whereby two individuals have been drowned. We, therefore, strenuously urge upon the attention of the elders and priests of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that they use every precaution in attending to the all-important ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins, and not be over anxious, so as to endanger themselves or the candidate."
Want to read
February 18, 2013Want to read b/c of this review: https://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle...., Particularly this paragraph: "Further, discussions of women and early priesthood should take into consideration the fact that in Utah the first Relief Societies did create mirror "quorums" to the priesthood, complete with deaconesses who took care of Relief Society meetinghouses just as ordained deacons cared for the ward meetinghouses; teachers quorums that visited the sisters just as priesthood teachers and priests visited families; and a presidentess who presided over the ward Relief Society."
April 10, 2011
Pretty dry read, but fascinating information about how the Priesthood and its ordinances evolved over time. It didn't just get restored and that was that...it went through many changes to get to its current form (the evolution of the endowment ceremony is particularly interesting). Also interesting are the ordinances that were previously practiced that aren't practiced now, such as cursings and baptisms for health.
July 23, 2014
This is fantastic. Concise, informative and logically presented. An excellent book that tracks how the concept and theology of priesthood was revealed line upon line until Joseph deemed it to be a "fulness." A great collection of historical gems as well. Each chapter is like a mini Dialogue article. The last few chapters were a bit rushed though.
February 7, 2017
I found this book to be very informative and interesting. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in early Mormonism and the beginnings of the Restoration. The book is written in a clear, objective manner, as neither an expose or an apologetic. Prince allows the reader to interpret the facts on his/her own.
August 21, 2012
A fairly good synthesis and an interesting read. Prince is an honest scholar, and I appreciate that, though, I feel like some of the sections in this book were more abbreviated than they needed to be.
November 27, 2012
Well researched. Appreciated the references. Tough to get through. For fellow TBM's essential to get through.
Read
January 6, 2017Excellent book. Well written and researched. Very informative.
Helps bring greater understanding to the restoration of the priesthood.
Helps bring greater understanding to the restoration of the priesthood.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews