WALKING THE ANCIENT PATHS- THE BOOK OF MORMON AS COVENANT

Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look,and ask for the ancient paths,where the good way is; and walk in it,and find rest for your souls…” (Jeremiah 6:16)

How many times have we heard the admonition to read the Book of Mormon?  How many times have we read it?  How many times do we have to read it until we get it?  These may seem like simplistic questions, but perhaps the challenge we face is not reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover, over and over again, but reading it with covenant eyeglasses.  Instead of reading it in a linear/Greek fashion let us examine the Book of Mormon as a NEW COVENANT.

"And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— hich vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.

And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written— That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion." (D&C 84:54-58)

Our modern American culture is so foreign to that of the writers of the Book of Mormon that we are missing the importance and details of their message that were meant to be communicated.  The prophet-writers of the Book of Mormon were Israelites.  Their account follows the language and culture of ancient Israel.  Like the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Book of Mormon follows the pattern of a covenant treaty.   If we approach the Book of Mormon from this paradigm, we will find that we have been given a layered message with the heart of the message being the specific instructions on how to be reconciled to Christ, come into his presence,  and to become a Zion people.

Ancient Israelite Covenant relationships and treaties can be identified on the basis of certain principles or pillars that establish the covenant treaty and govern the relationship.  If God as the King is the grantor of the covenant then as such he establishes the terms of the covenant.  We as the recipient of the covenant, (and as a lesser being), are only in a position to either accept or reject the covenant relationship and the terms.  Once accepted the terms become binding.  Loyalty to the King and obedience to the terms brings blessings.  Disloyalty to the King and transgression of the terms brings covenant curses.

To understand the nature of Israelite Covenants it is necessary to explore the covenant structure of the Torah (Old Testament).  While there are many different covenant models many of these models can be distilled down to five essential components that can be found in all ancient/near eastern covenants.
This Pattern is demonstrated in the Five Books of Moses as Found in the Old Testament (Torah) from left to right:

1. The Declaration of the Covenant comprises the Book of Genesis.  It is here that God's authority and dominion are established along with the promises made to the father upon which the terms of the covenant are founded.

2. The Hierarchy-Kingdom Order- and terms of Mediation are demonstrated in the Book of Exodus.  Exodus demonstrates the pattern that God establishes his covenant society, government, and social order upon.

3. The Law or Heart of the Covenant is Demonstrated by the Book of Leviticus and is the handbook or community rules that establish Holiness and Sacred Space.

4.  Sanctions- Blessings and Cursings- Posterity-- are demonstrated by the Book of Numbers where in the the instructions regarding posterity are found and penalties of the covenant obedience and disobedience are demonstrated.

5. Continuity.  Continuity of Covenant is the means by which the covenant is to be communicated through successive generations.


In true Israelite fashion the Book of Mormon also follows this covenant pattern.

What we are after is the "Heart" of the Covenant. As once the seed that God desires to plant in our hearts takes root, we receive the name of Christ/Messiah and conform to his image.  Having conformed to his image we are then able to produce the fruits that God desires us to bring forth. These words are not just symbolic but literal. Our God is a covenant making and keeping God. His Kingdom or righteous dominion is established and governed by covenant. Those who would enter by some other way are "thieves and liars" because without the grant of a covenant they have no claim on the promises God made to the Fathers.  With regard to the Book of Mormon, the fathers we are speaking of are Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Enos, down to Omni.  Their record comprises God's revelation of himself and a declaration of his sovereignty.

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND OUR LOYALTY - THE FIRST PILLAR OF OUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP

Just as the Book of Genesis establishes the first pillar or foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with God, so too does the record of the Book of Mormon Fathers establish the foundation of our covenant relationship with God in this land.  As a “New Covenant” we would expect that the Book of Mormon would contain its own Genesis.  The first six books of the book of Mormon comprise the “Genesis” of the Book of Mormon. In true covenant pattern, the books of Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, and Omni establish the first pillar of the New Covenant.  In God’s revelation of himself to Lehi and Nephi we see the covenant declaration of himself as God and the God of their Fathers-Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  We see in these records an account of God’s dealings with the Book of Mormon Fathers (Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, etc.) just as Genesis gives us an account of God’s dealings with the Fathers of the Children of Israel.  Like Genesis, this first portion taken from the Plates of Nephi establish the promises God made to the Book of Mormon Fathers, the history and beginnings of their covenant,  and their covenant land of promise as their inheritance in the Americas.

PROMISES MADE TO THE FATHERS & THE BOOK OF MORMON FATHERS

Notice that the covenant of Lehi is derivative of Israel's covenant relationship with the Fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph), which is why he goes to lengths to point out that he is a descendant of Joseph (one of the Fathers to whom God made covenant with in the Book of Genesis):

"And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine." (1 Nephi 5:14)

Lehi points this out because as all covenant relationships have a beginning, God also establishes the eternal continuity of the covenant through the posterity of the one to whom he made Covenant.  We see this established by God's promises to Adam and Eve and their seed, God's promises to Enoch and his Seed, God's promises to Abraham and his seed, and now Lehi and his seed.

These first records included by Mormon are essential in establishing our covenant relationship with God because not only does it reveal to us the identity of God and him as the sole object of our faith/loyalty, but in includes the historical records of the PROMISES God made to the Book of Mormon Fathers in specific regard to this covenant land grant  - AMERICA- and the people who reside on it. These records serve not only as a legal declaration of treaty between God and Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, and Enos, but they contain the actual historical setting and promises God made to them and all those who reside in this land.

The promises made by God to the Book of Mormon Fathers are many.  In fact so many that there is not the space here to fully enumerate them.  But here are a few to start:

“…And because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!” (1 Nephi 1: 14)

…But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:20)

“And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.” (1 Nephi 2: 20)

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

“And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying, “I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren. 5But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.” (1 Nephi 5:4-5)

“And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records. And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed— 18that these Plates of Brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these Plates of Brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.” (1 Nephi 5:16-19)

“And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God— and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come— I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; Wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.” (1 Nephi 10:17-19)

This is why it is essential for our covenant future and that of our children to search these first records to identify the promises God has established in this legal treaty.  Without a knowledge of these promises we have no hope.  Hope in an Israelite mind is not wishful thinking, but it is the expectation based on a PROMISE, therefore without a knowledge of these promises we have no idea what we are to expect in this covenant relationship.  The historical record of the Book of Mormon Fathers demonstrates that a covenant keeping God made them promises and promises to their posterity and others in regard to this land.  They also demonstrate a fulfillment of these promises to them as each of the Fathers obtained a fulfillment of the promises by receiving the revelation of God and his Messiah, being delivered out of tribulation in their wilderness, and obtaining a land of promises (among many other things).

God having revealed himself to the Fathers and establishing his sovereignty over all things establishes the first pillar of our covenant relationship.  We are then presented with a choice will we accept his rule and pledge our loyalty to him as the center of our faith?  As we go down into the waters of baptism we make a formal declaration of our loyalty and our intent to obey the God of our Fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Enos). Having made a declaration of our acceptance of him and our loyalty to him, we must then search diligently in record of the Fathers to identify the promises God made to them and us as the recipients of their record.

Once we have identified the promises made, the journey really begins. We must lay hold upon the promises-- or in other words we must make a claim for the promises.  God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him. (Acts 10:43) As a covenant relationship is bound by legal terms, we must also make legal requests under the covenant.  In other words, we have to ask for the promises to be fulfilled.

Why Did Captain Moroni Rend His Coat? Kriah

"And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren..." (Alma 46:12-13)


The practice of tearing a garment as a demonstration of mourning was a common custom of Israel. This act of mourning is found in several places in the Torah where people tear their clothes as an outward act of sorrow. This rending of the garments is called the Kriah and is an physical act that demonstrates the sorrow and anguish one would feel at the death of a friend or loved one.

Among many Jews to this day there is a custom of tearing their clothing upon seeing the Temple mount as an outward sign of mourning and memorial at the condition of Israel in general and the condition of the Temple Mound in specific. In true Israelite fashion, Captain Moroni upon seeing the condition of his people and their potential demise rends his garment after the manner of Kriah.

The word Kriah carries the meaning "to call out" someone as when someone calls out to God with energy, emotion, and power of the heart.  The act of Kriah is designed to stir within the performer and the witness their grief and to create an opening (a rending of a cloth, coat, or veil) to release the full energy of the heart.  It is an act performed by the participants of a funeral prior to the burial. It is also an outward sign of love of those who mourn for the deceased.

Several teachings from ancient Israel document several reasons for the practice of Kriah. According to some of these teachings it serves to cause an person to come face to face with the sacred importance of the life granted by God.  It serves as a graphic symbol of loss.  It demonstrates the deep sense of sorrow and pain. It rids the heart of malice and anger causing a return to God- repentance. The tearing of the garment itself is described as a revelation of the Heart.

Captain Moroni's declaration in writing upon the remnant of his coat "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" is meant to open the Hearts of the Reader and to call out the energy of their heart unto repentance.  His act of mourning was designed to stir the hearts of those who would grieve like unto those grieving at the funeral of a loved one reminding us the sacred gift of life and liberty granted by God.

That Evil May Be Done Away!

The Eternal Revolution

Are we Being Socially Engineered through control of Information- Either Current or Historical? Our country was founded on the Ideology of Liberty and Freedom- Freedom of Speech being one such foundation stone. Our current situation finds its roots in a complete picture of Historical Accuracy. Without investigating all sides of historical issues we are doomed to not only be slaves of ignorance but the willing slaves to corporate task masters who have a vested interest in "managing the masses" through the strategic control and manipulation of information. We must stand up not only for the Freedom declared by the Declaration of Independence and established in our Constitution but also for the Liberty to walk in these Freedoms unfettered.

When you see the tides of division- Men and Women of All Races in the United States- know that your true task masters are not far behind in accomplishing their goal of enslaving us all. The comfort and false security crafted by the selective revision of History and the science of propaganda is designed with one final goal- the destruction of Freedom and Liberty in all Lands.

Righteous Causes are only established on the foundation of Righteous Laws and Principles. Yet even the evil believe their cause to be Righteous. They endeavor to cloak their evil designs under the guise of Freedom all the while their goal is to create a system of slavery. True Liberty requires sacrifice. True Freedom requires the upholding of Just Laws. The President is no greater than the citizens he was elected to represent and protect. The corporate mogul is of no greater worth than the homeless man on the street.

Abdicating our role and responsibility in maintaining freedom leads to a complacency in every area of life. It takes education and action to make effective change. Those lovers of freedom and righteousness both here and beyond the veil of this human existence far exceed the numbers of those who maintain the illusion of control. Their one fear is that oneness and unity that comes from breaking the yoke of their lies, division, and propaganda. They know that it will result in the harmony of every nation, tribe, language and people over which they cannot prevail.

A Voice of Warning- Being Fulfilled in our Day

And now I Moroni do not write the manner
of their oaths and conspiracies
for it has been made known unto me
that they are had among all people
and they are had among the Lamaniy
And they have caused the destruction of this people
of whom I am now speaking
and also the destruction of the people of Nephi
And whatever nation
shall uphold such secret conspiracies
to get power and gain
until they shall spread over the nation
behold they shall be destroyed
for YHVH will not allow
that the blood of his set apart ones
which shall be shed by them
shall always cry unto him
from the ground for vengeance upon them
and yet he avenge them not

Therefore O you Goyim
it is wisdom in Elohiym
that these things should be shown unto you
that thereby you may repent of your sins
and allow not that these murderous conspiracies
shall get above you
which are built up to get power and gain
and the work
yes even the work of destruction come upon you
yes even the sword of the justice of the Eternal Elohiym
shall fall upon you
to your overthrow and destruction
if you shall allow these things to be
therefore YHVH commands you
when you shall see these things come among you
that you shall awake to a sense of your awful situation
because of this secret conspiracy
which shall be among you
or OY be unto it
because of the blood of them
who have been killed
for they cry from the dust
for just vengeance upon it
and also upon those
who built it up

For it comes to pass
that whoever builds it up seeks
to overthrow the freedom
of all lands nations and countries
and it brings to pass the destruction of all people
for it is built up by the evil one
who is the father of all lies
even that same liar who beguiled our first parents
yes even that same liar who has caused man
to commit murder from the beginning
who has hardened the hearts of men
that they have murdered the prophets and stoned them
and cast them out from the beginning

Therefore I Moroni am commanded
to write these things
that evil may be done away
and that the time may come
that the evil one may have no power
upon the hearts of the children of men
but that they may be persuaded
to do good continually
that they may come
unto the fountain of all righteousness
and be saved

(Ether 8)

What are the Plain and Precious Things?

The Book of Mormon together with the Bible contains a path as well as many great gifts meant for God's people in preparation for meeting his Son. As we feast upon the word of God we partake of precious truths that nourish the soul.  The scriptures contain many "Plain and Precious Truths" which are designed to lead us to and along the path of oneness with God.  We read about the "plain and precious things" being taken from the scriptures, but what exactly are the "plain and precious things" and why are they important?

In reading the Book of Mormon the Prophet Nephi relates the following:

“Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.  And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.
(1 Nephi 13:28-29)

In examining the concept of "plain and precious things" from a Israelite Mindset, we discover that there is more to the phrase than meets the eye.

Plain = {Nakoakh} = Straight, Uprightness

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. (Psalms 8:8-9)

The word "plain" comes from the Hebrew word Nakoakh which means straight or uprightness.  In its mechanical sense the concept of straight refers to the surface of the land or path which one walks. So while it can be used in phrases attempting to convey that something is straightforward or self evident its deeper meaning refers to a path which one walks.

Understanding that the concept of plain can refer to a path that is "straight" helps us to understand that the scriptures contain a pathway and that there were those who altered, changed, or obstructed that pathway by removing great truths.  Altering or removing stones from this path, causes people to stumble by placing or creating stumbling blocks along the path that should be straight and level.  In the mind of an Israelite a stumbling block is anything which causes you to leave the observance or correct understanding of God's commandments.  One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to remove stumbling blocks and to make the path level again.  This is why Nephi later states:

And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks. (1 Nephi 14:1)

In taking away our stumbling blocks we are led to the proper understanding and observance of God's commandments.  In doing so we are able to walk a path of betrothal with God's Son and arrive at a state of oneness with God.

Precious= {Migdanah} = Choice or Excellent Thing

When we think of the word "Precious" it draws to mind things of choice or excellent things of great worth.  But in the mind of an Israelite this concept draws upon much deeper understanding.  To understand the concept of precious it helps to draw upon Nephi's source material, The Torah.

The word "precious" comes from the Hebrew word Migdanah meaning Choice or Excellent thing. In context of the Torah we find this word first used in regard to the betrothal of Rebekah. The first place in the Torah where we find the use of the word "Precious" refers to the scene where Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, was sent to find a bride for his birthright son.  As the story relates he went to the well and came upon Rebekah who used her vessel to bestow water of life upon Abraham's servant.  Seeing that this was the bride God had designed to bring to Abraham's Chosen Son, Eliezer presented betrothal gifts to Rebekah's family.  These betrothal gifts given by the Servant of Abraham are designed to purchase the bride and to adorn her with gifts to prepare her for her betrothal to the son or bridegroom, among other things.

Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken. And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. (Genesis 24:51-53)

In Hebraic context the "Precious Things" are equated with the betrothal gifts given to the Bride for her purchase, adornment, and preparation in getting ready to meet her Groom- Abraham's Only Begotten or Birthright Son.

The message of the Book of Mormon contains God's betrothal gifts for the Bride that God designs to bring to his son.  There is much more that could be said in exploring what these gifts are and how they function.  Walking in the Wisdom (Chokmah) of God is the first of these gifts that enable us to commence our journey along the path to oneness with his Chosen Son and with him. When the records and the people of the House of Israel (i.e. The Bible and the Book of Mormon) run together we have a complete road map to the plain (level or straight) path we are to walk as well as the precious things of adornment that we as a bride must adorn ourselves with to make ourselves ready for the Bridegroom.

BOOK OF MORMON REMNANTS CONFERENCE- FEBRUARY 3, 2018

The Book of Mormon Remnants Conference 4
Ascending the Mountain of the Lord
in the Promised Land

https://www.bookofmormonremnants.com/

Israel and the Torah are the Keys to Unsealing the Book of Mormon.The Book of Mormon contains the Knowledge of the Fathers in a manner that is meant to reveal and conceal. We hope you will join us for this time of exploration and discovery!

PRIESTS AND TEACHERS

In response to the article that I wrote entitled "Was Zoram a Levite?" I have had several emails asking me to explain how Jacob and Joseph, the sons of Lehi, who were not Levites or descendants of Aaron could be set apart as Priests.  Often when we think of the word 'priest" images of Catholic priests, etc come to mind.  The idea of priest in the Israelite mind had more to do with function and service rather than just an office.

Traditionally in many sects of Judaism it has been maintained that for a person to be a priest (Kohen) they must therefore be a Levite or more particularly a descendant of Aaron the brother of Moses.  In regard to specific civil and religious service (example Service at the Temple/Tabernacle in the Wilderness) this would be true. However, the word Kohen does not specifically refer to just Levites or descendants of Aaron.  While the the word Kohen is translated as Priest it is not necessarily synonymous with descendants of Levi or Aaron.  In particular the word Kohen while translated into the English word as Priest more accurately could be translated as officiator.  For example

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest (kohen) of the most high God." (Genesis 14:18)

"And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest (kohen) of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:45)

"When Jethro, the priest (kohen) of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt" (Exodus 18:1)

"Only the land of the priests (kohanim) bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands."

Melchizedek predated Levi as it was he to whom Abraham, the great grandfather of Levi, paid tithes.   The word used to describe Melchizedek as a "priest" is kohen and yet Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi.  The same usage of  the term kohen can be seen in relation to Potipherah who was the priest (kohen) of On as well as Jethro the priest (kohen) of Midian.

So while tradition has come to equate the words kohen with a Levite or descendant of Aaron, the more accurate usage of the word in the Torah was much broader in application with the term kohen more accurately being defined as officiator who engaged in a particular type of service.  Hebrew is a highly "functional language" in that instead of just describing something in mechanical, concrete terms it is also  describes things in terms of their function.  In our western minds we often equate the term priest with a specific "office" or station, but in Hebrew the word priest (kohen) more specifically delineates function.  As such, in the Israelite mind the word kohen is more connected to a function or type of service.

Melchizedek as Priest

In Alma we encounter the idea of the "Holy Order" of God.  Over the years, I have heard many attempt to equate the expression "Holy Order" with a special club or elite group.  In the Israelite mind the word order is more accurately translated as 'manner' or 'pattern'.  For example:

"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest (kohen) for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalms 110:4)

Here the word 'order' is the Hebrew word dibrah meaning manner or cause.  Instead of the word order being seen as an order say like a club or elite groups (say like the Order of the Elks, etc) it is describing a type of function.  In further examining Alma, we see this same idea:

"And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests (kohanim), after his holy order (manner), which was after the order (manner) of his Son, to teach these things unto the people." (Alma 13:1)

But wait there's more!

In true Israelite fashion, Alma gives us the definition of "order" in a Hebrew parallelism that he crafts in the next two verses:

"And those priests were ordained after the order (dibrah) of his Son, in a manner (dibrah) that thereby the people might know in what manner (dibrah) to look forward to his Son for redemption.
And this is the manner (dibrah) after which they were ordained..." (Alma 13:2-3)

Hebrew is an amazing.language and culture.  Alma in true prophetic and poetic Hebrew fashion draws upon the Holy Writings of Israel such as Psalms and then weaves his intended meaning in a Hebrew word play in his next few verses.  Alma equates the word 'order' with the word 'manner'.  This 'manner' is referring to a function, manner, or type of service.

What type of Manner or Service?

After explaining that there is a holy "manner" or service, Alma then begins to describe their service drawing upon Melchizedek the Kohen of the Most High God.

"Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;

But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father." (Alma 13: 16-18)

Melchizedek's manner or "service" was to follow in the path of the Messiah in preaching repentance and establishing covenant peace in his land.  Shalom or 'covenant peace' encompassed not only repentance but re-establishing the presence and society of God among his people.  His function or service had nothing to do with Levitical or Aaronic temple service that existed in the nation of Israel.

Jacob and Joseph - Sons of Lehi

Jacob and Joseph, the sons of Lehi, were set apart as priests (kohanim) and teachers. Their designation as priest (kohen) does not equate with the service of a Levite or descendant of Aaron.  In the Torah (Five Books of Moses) God lays out specific types of service or functions of the both the Levites and the descendents of Aaron in regard to their civil and religious functions in the body of Israel. For example, the descendants of Aaron were responsible for the care and keep of the Temple including its implements. They played particular roles in temple and civil service.

The sons of Lehi were not Levitical priests but they were officiators after a specific manner or type of service. Jacob the son of Lehi gives specific detail into the nature of their priestly service:

"For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi. And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.

For Jacob and Joseph, their priestly service entailed teaching the people the word of God with all diligence and laboring to bring them to a state of cleanliness or repentance.  Their priestly service echoes that of Melchizedek.  Their type of service did not entail the specific temple duties, etc of the Levites as described in the Books of Moses.  Jacob and Joseph's designation as kohanim does not negate or replace the legal service of Levites under the Torah of Moses.  Their order, manner, or type of service as a priest (kohen) was just different.  Zoram as a Levite and most likely a descendant of Aaron, would allow for the Nephites to strictly observe the Law of Moses in accordance with those duties specifically assigned to the sons of Levi being performed by Levites.

We must be careful not to overlay modern ideas regarding priesthood with those of Ancient Israel and the Middle East.  We do not know all the duties that Jacob and Joseph engaged in, but their designation as priest (kohen) was not a violation of Torah or an infringement on the lawful duties of the Levites.  With Zoram as a Levite being present, the strict observance of the Torah of Moses was maintained as all required legal elements would have been present.

DECLARING THE CHOSEN SON- THE TORAH, THE PROPHETS, AND THE WRITINGS

God as a covenant keeping God extended his covenant to Israel as the foundation for Israel to build itself upon.  The Chief and corner-stone of this Kingdom is the pinnacle or Messiah- Jesus Christ.  In placing this stone, he demonstrates that the Messiah himself fulfills (property interprets and performs) the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings of Israel.

When God declared his son to both the Jews in Israel or the Nephites in America, he upheld this same covenant pattern:

"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:22)

Understanding Hebrew and the manner of the Jews is showing itself to be very important. First we need to understand the use of 'remez' by the writers in the Gospels. They are actually referring the readers back to two different verses of scripture that declare the Messiah:

1. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalms 2:7)

2. The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable (Isaiah 42:21)

This is normal Hebrew practice to cite part of the scripture to refer the hearer back to the the Prophets and the Writings that declare the King of Israel and the Messiah. Those who heard the Decree by the voice of God knew exactly what was being declared. Attempting to alter the declaration destroys the cultural delivery and message delivered i.e. pretty much Here is the King of Israel and the Messiah. There are distinct reasons why this was recorded the way it was.

The Book of Mormon got it correct:

"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him."

THE WRITINGS- KETUVIM

Behold my Beloved Son -Refers to Psalms 2:7

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalms 2:7)

THE PROPHETS- NEVI'IM

whom I am well please in whom I have glorified my name - Refers to Isaiah 42:21

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable" (Isaiah 42:21)

(common Hebrew practice- the Name is the law, the law is the name, etc)

FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES - TORAH

Hear ye Him- Shema Israel- Deuteronomy 6: 4-6

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart..." (Deuteronomy 6:4-6)

God declares his Chosen Son and the King of Israel according to the Torah, The Prophets, and the Writings of Israel.