Joseph Smith held the Melchisedek
Priesthood before he came to the earth, as did Jesus, but it had to be
reconfirmed upon him in the flesh by Peter, James & John, as upon Jesus by
Moses and Elias, on the mount [of Transfiguration] . . . At least this is my
judgment with no further reflection on the subject. (Joseph F. Smith, Letters
to George Mason, February 20, 1881, p. 2, MS 1325, Church History Library)