Joseph Smith claims to receive the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist

Background. The Aaronic priesthood, also called the priesthood of Aaron or the Levitical priesthood, is the lesser of the two orders of priesthood recognized in the Latter Day Saint movement, the higher being the Melchizedek priesthood. Joseph Smith Jr. was an American religious leader and the founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. Between 1828 and 1829, Smith dictated the Book of Mormon to various assistants, and in April 1829 he was joined by Oliver Cowdery, a distant cousin from Vermont.

The Claim. Latter Day Saints believe that John the Baptist, identified as being of the Tribe of Levi, directly conferred the Aaronic priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This conferral is recorded as occurring on May 15, 1829. The event is treated as a religious claim rather than an established historical fact.

Historical Context. In April 1829, Oliver Cowdery joined Joseph Smith to assist in the dictation of the Book of Mormon. The translation work was completed in 1829. The priesthood claim occurred during this active period of translation and revelation, prior to the formal organization of the Church of Christ in April 1830.