Whom is Melchizedek?

Reading Genesis 14 prompted me to study the " High Priest  Melchizedek " whom Abraham paid his tithes to. This is what the " Lectures on Faith " by Joseph Smith says about      Melchizedek. 

Shem was Melchizedek 

From this definite account of driving the "nations apart, 
when the ancient hills did bow," all reflecting minds may judge 
that man was scattered over the whole face of the earth. And 
with the superior knowledge of men like Noah, Shem (who was 
Melchizedek) and Abraham, the father of the faithful, three 
cotemporaries, holding the keys of the highest order of the 
priesthood: connecting the creation, and fall; memorising the 
righteousness of Enoch; and glorying in the construction oi 
the ark for the salvation of a world; still retaining the model 
and pattern of that ark, than which a great, ah, we might say, 
half so great a vessel has never been built since; for another 
ark, be it remembered, with such a ponderous living freight will 
never be prepared as a vessel of mercy by command of Jehovah. 
Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, p. 746. 
Nauvoo, Illinois, December 15, 1844. Elder John Taylor, Editor.) 



The Faith of Melchizedek 

(From Inspired 'Translation" of Scriptures, by 
Joseph the Prophet) 

Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought right- 
eousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths 
of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. 

And thus, having been approved of God. he was ordained 
an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made 
with Enoch. 

It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, 
not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; 
neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; 



94 THE FAITH OF MELCHIZEDEK 

And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own 
voice, according to his will, unto as many as believed on his name. 

For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with 
an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order 
and calling should dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; 

To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the 
earth; to break every hand, to stand in the presence of God; to 
do all things according to his will, according to his command, 
subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son 
of God which was from before the foundation of the world. 

And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of 
God, were translated and taken up into heaven. 

And now Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore 
he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the prince of peace. 

And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, 
and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, 
separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter 
days, or the end of the world; 

And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens 
and the earth should come together; and the sons of God should 
be tried so as by fire. 

Genesis 14:26-35.