According to Cleon Skousen, it is obvious that Melchizedek’s ministry was so dynamic and the power of God was so richly manifest through him that his name and reputation became widely known in ancient times. Alma emphasized this very point when he said: “Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater: therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention” (Alma 13:19).
It not only became apparent that Melchizedek had been “approved of God” (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:27); but any person who enjoyed the same divine authority as Melchizedek also became accepted by the people as “approved.” Therefore it was not long before the whole Church was referring to the Priesthood of God as the “Melchizedek Priesthood.” It permitted reference to the Priesthood without constantly using the sacred name of Deity. This development is explained in a modern revelation: “Why the first [or higher Priesthood] is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called The Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, but out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the Church, in ancient days, called the priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood” (D&C 107:2-4).
It may have been for a similar reason that the Saints, prior to the flood, referred to the Holy Priesthood as the “order of Enoch.” The Inspired Version says that Melchizedek himself, was ordained a “high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch” (Genesis 14:27) and, as we mentioned earlier, the Doctrine and Covenants, section 76:27, states that the order of Enoch is the same as the “order of the Only Begotten Son” which is also the “order of Melchizedek.” So these are different names for the same Priesthood. And the power of this Priesthood is the very power of God (see JST, Genesis 14:28-31).
The fulness of the power of the Priesthood is only given to those who have demonstrated the most advanced capacity to discipline themselves (see Helaman 10:5-9). [W. Cleon Skousen, Treasures from the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2, pp. 2307-2308]
Question: If “there were many before [Melchizedek], and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater,” then what does this say about Melchizedek when we find concerning the brother of Jared that “there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared” (Ether 4:4)? Did Melchizedek enjoy an equal manifestation as that seen by the brother of Jared? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Ether 4:12]