(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 172-173, 180-181; refer to 2 Ne. 5:26)
“As a prophet, Lehi held the Melchizedek Priesthood and by that authority offered sacrifice (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 181)… . The Aaronic Priesthood was the province of the tribe of Levi, and thus was not taken by the Nephites to America. It would appear, therefore, that the sacrifices performed by the Lehite colony were carried out under the direction of the higher priesthood, which comprehends all the duties and authorities of the lesser.” (R. Millet and J. F. McConkie, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:31)
“All the prophets held the higher priesthood, having been ordained by the hand of God (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 180-81). It was by right of this higher priesthood that the Old Testament prophets performed their labors in the name of the God of Israel and could officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood, just as today bishops in the Church officiate in an Aaronic Priesthood office by right of the Melchizedek Priesthood… . Though the Book of Mormon does not explicitly state so, Lehi, like all other prophets in Old Testament times, held the Melchizedek Priesthood… . The Nephites administered the ordinances and blessings of the law of Moses before the coming of Christ and the law of the gospel after the coming of Christ by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.” (Paul Y. Hoskisson, Ensign, Mar. 1994, p. 54)