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There are two meanings to the word patriarch. The first is that patriarch which is an ordained office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. The fathers from
Adam to Jacob were all patriarchs of this kind. The word patriarch, as used in the Bible, seems to denote also a title of honor to early leaders of the
Israelites, such as David (see Acts 2:29)
and the twelve sons of Jacob (see Acts 7:8-9). The word is of Greek derivation and means "father/ruler." The
Hebrew word it translates is simply "father."
The patriarchal order is that in the days of the prophets in Old Testament times, the righteous sons of righteous fathers became the leaders (the father
figures) of the Israelites. For example, Abraham was the leader of the Israelite people until his death, and his son Isaac then became the patriarch, or head,
of the people. At Isaac’s death, his son Jacob became the patriarch. At the death of Jacob, however, even though he had 12 sons, his son Judah was
appointed head of the people, because the oldest son Reuben had been unfaithful to the principles of the gospel. The patriarchal order, then, would mean a
righteous lineage wherein the people were guided and governed through these prophet-patriarchs.
Your last question wondered if perhaps, in the future, we might consider a general Christian online Bible study/chat. That is a lovely idea, but my
schedule as well as my commitment to my family would make it impractical for me to establish and participate. May the Lord’s richest blessings be yours
as you continue to search for those things that will sustain you. My offer to send two representatives to teach you in detail all that we believe still stands.
Let me know if that ever becomes a practical idea for you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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