Among other things, it is the practice of the Church to assign them to pass the sacrament, perform messenger service, act as ushers, keep church facilities in good repair, go home teaching, and perform special assignments at the direction of the bishopric. Many of their assigned functions are comparable to those performed by the Levites of old. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 111-114.)” – Bruce R. McConkie [emp. mine]
Numbers 8:6-7; “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. 7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.”
Levites were required to shave their entire body as part of their purification duties as it clearly states in Numbers.
If duties of the deacons are comparable to the ‘Levites of old’, why aren’t Mormon deacons fulfilling their end of the deal? Other dereliction of duties can be seen further into the rest of the chapter in Number 8.
Adding insult to injury, this is a false prophecy on Smith’s part. The need for these pretended priesthoods draws people away from God, not to Him.
Another problem is found in what we don’t see.
The high priest was to be lawfully clean, and deacons don’t do this. (Ex. 29:1-9;19-35).
In fact, Jesus is the only person who’s fulfilled all conditions necessary. See Heb. 9:22; 1 Peter 1:19; Heb. 2:14; 5:1, etc.