LINEAL PRIESTHOOD…

There are strong indicators pointing toward the priesthood being lineal in nature, as opposed to simple confirmation by ordination:

“It is the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, which is after the order of the Son of God, that is handed down from Father to son; not the offices of Prophet, Patriarch, Apostle, High Priest, Elder, Priest, Teacher, and Deacon.”

William Smith to David Powell – 25 December 1851, The Messenger of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Volume 2 (Salt Lake City, UT: The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, December 1875), 5