The Priesthood
Yesterday, I got to teach lesson 11 and 12 of Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith,
entitled Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith and The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. The priesthood is something that I've always appreciated, but as I was preparing to teach this lesson, I realized how little I actually know about how it works. I was grateful for a reason to learn more about this amazing power. Below is the outline I prepared to teach from. It includes some of the questions I asked as well as the sections of the lessons that we read out loud.
Before I began, I showed the sisters the talk given by Dallin H Oaks in the most recent General Conference, as well as the article in this month's Ensign about the Priesthood and recommended that they read them because they explain so much about the Priesthood and how it works.
What is the Priesthood?
"The priesthood held by man is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things for the salvation of mankind." (Ch. 12, Sec 2, par. 5, pg166)
What is the purpose of the Priesthood?
"May I say further that everything connected with this higher priesthood is designed and intended to prepare us to gain eternal life in the kingdom of God." (Ch 12, Sec 1, par 2, pg 164) God gives men the Priesthood so we can receive the ordinances necessary to gain eternal life. This is perfectly in keeping with God's work and glory.
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood:
"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved." (Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-44)
What are the blessings of the priesthood? To one day receive all that the Father has!
Are these blessings just for men?
"These words include an understanding that the power of the priesthood is a great blessing for all members of the Church. In one of the sermons, President Smith said: “I think we all know that the blessings of the priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings are also poured out upon our wives and daughters and upon all the faithful women of the Church. These good sisters can prepare themselves, by keeping the commandments and by serving in the Church, for the blessings of the house of the Lord. The Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons, for neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord [see 1 Corinthians 11:11].”5 (Ch 12, Life, par 10, pg 163)
What are priesthood keys? I held up some keys and asked what we use keys for. We use them to lock and unlock things, to protect things. I talked about how I had given my house key to a family in the ward so while we were on vacation, they could take care of our cats while we were gone. I then compared this to the priesthood. Priesthood keys are the authority to direct God's affairs on earth.
What is the difference between being ordained to an office in the priesthood and holding keys?
"There is a difference between receiving an office in the priesthood and in receiving the keys of the priesthood. This we should clearly understand. While all men hold the priesthood who are ordained to any office, yet there are special, or directing, authorities, bestowed upon those who are called to preside. These authorities are called keys.6 [Priesthood] keys are the right of presidency; they are the power and authority to govern and direct all of the Lord’s affairs on earth. Those who hold them have power to govern and control the manner in which all others may serve in the priesthood.7" (Ch 11, sec 1, par 1-3, pg. 153)
Who holds the keys in our ward? Most wards have four people who hold keys: the bishop, the elder's quorum president, the teacher's quorum president and the deacon's quorum president. Our ward also happens to have a mission president, and he has the keys to the mission. Outside the ward, the stake president has the keys for the stake. Auxiliary leaders like the Relief Society or Sunday School president don't have keys themselves, but work under the guidance of the bishop who has the keys for the ward.
Why are keys important?
"The Lord does not recognize any ordinance or ceremony, even though it be made or performed in his name, unless it is in accordance with his will and done by one who is recognized as his authorized servant. It was for that reason that he sent from his presence holy messengers to Joseph Smith and others, to restore that which had been taken from the earth, even the fullness of the gospel, and the fullness and the keys of priesthood.10" (Ch 11, sec 2, par 3, pg 154)
Who restored the keys to Joseph Smith? Pp154-155. I had the sisters search the pages in the book to tell me who restored keys, and what keys they restored. These are the ones mentioned in the book, and I wrote them on the chalkboard as the sisters named them:
John the Baptist – Aaronic Priesthood
Peter, James & John – Melchizedek Priesthood
Adam – Keys of Dispensation he led
Moses – Gathering of Israel
Elias – Blessings of Abraham
Elijah – Sealing Power
Is it significant that these men had to come back to restore these keys?
"May I now say—very plainly and very emphatically—that we have the holy priesthood and that the keys of the kingdom of God are here. They are found only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.17" (Ch 11, sec 2, par 13, pg 157) This is the only church on earth that has these keys, that has the authority to do baptisms and marriages that will be recognized in the next world!
What happens if Prophet dies unexpectedly?
"This priesthood and these keys … have been given to each man who has been set apart as a member of the Council of the Twelve. But since they are the right of presidency, they can only be exercised in full by the senior apostle of God on earth, who is the president of the Church.19" (Ch 11, sec 3, par 2, pg 157)
How do these keys work? The keys give authority and special guidance to oversee that area of responsibility. As such, they should be respected.
"Every man who is properly chosen to preside in any capacity in the Church should be honored in his calling. When a man is ordained to the office of a bishop, he is given the keys of presidency over the ward in which he resides and should be honored in his calling by every member of the ward, no matter what office any man may hold. The same is true of the president of the stake, the president of a quorum, or whatever it may be. To illustrate what this means we are taught that no father has the right, although he may hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, to baptize one of his own children without first obtaining the sanction of his bishop. When the sanction is obtained, the father is authorized to perform that ordinance for his child. Should any father take it upon himself to perform a baptism, or to ordain his son, without first obtaining the sanction of the presiding officer in the ward or stake, as the case may be, who holds the keys of authority, he would be in transgression. This applies to an apostle as well as to the elder in a ward. Even the President of the Church would never think to act in any matter of this kind without first recognizing the bishop of his ward or the president of his stake and the authority which had been delegated to the bishop or the president of the stake.24" (Ch 11, sec 4, par 5, pg 158)
"President Smith also honored the priesthood leaders in his ward. When he was serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he said: “I have no right … to baptize one of my own children without first going to the bishop in the ward where I live and getting his consent, because he holds the keys for that ward to which I belong as a member. I have never baptized any of my children … except I have gone to the bishop and got his sanction to perform that ordinance and to confirm them members of the Church.”5 "
This is God's Church, and He is a god of order.
"As the Lord’s agents we are bound by his law to do what he wants us to do regardless of personal feelings or worldly enticements. Of ourselves we have no message of salvation, no doctrine that must be accepted, no power to baptize or ordain or marry for eternity. All these things come from the Lord, and anything we do with reference to them is the result of delegated authority.9" (Ch 12, sec 2, par 10, pg 167)
"I think there is one thing which we should have exceedingly clear in our minds. Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, nor the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will ever lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord." (Ch 11, sec 5, par 1, pg 159)
I am grateful to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ. I know that the priesthood keys to govern the church were restored to Joseph Smith, and that they have been handed down to President Thomas S. Monson who holds and uses them today. I know that the bishop of my ward has keys that guide him and give him wisdom to direct the affairs of our ward. I know that it is through priesthood ordinances that we can gain eternal life.
entitled Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith and The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. The priesthood is something that I've always appreciated, but as I was preparing to teach this lesson, I realized how little I actually know about how it works. I was grateful for a reason to learn more about this amazing power. Below is the outline I prepared to teach from. It includes some of the questions I asked as well as the sections of the lessons that we read out loud.
Before I began, I showed the sisters the talk given by Dallin H Oaks in the most recent General Conference, as well as the article in this month's Ensign about the Priesthood and recommended that they read them because they explain so much about the Priesthood and how it works.
What is the Priesthood?
"The priesthood held by man is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things for the salvation of mankind." (Ch. 12, Sec 2, par. 5, pg166)
What is the purpose of the Priesthood?
"May I say further that everything connected with this higher priesthood is designed and intended to prepare us to gain eternal life in the kingdom of God." (Ch 12, Sec 1, par 2, pg 164) God gives men the Priesthood so we can receive the ordinances necessary to gain eternal life. This is perfectly in keeping with God's work and glory.
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood:
"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved." (Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-44)
What are the blessings of the priesthood? To one day receive all that the Father has!
Are these blessings just for men?
"These words include an understanding that the power of the priesthood is a great blessing for all members of the Church. In one of the sermons, President Smith said: “I think we all know that the blessings of the priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings are also poured out upon our wives and daughters and upon all the faithful women of the Church. These good sisters can prepare themselves, by keeping the commandments and by serving in the Church, for the blessings of the house of the Lord. The Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons, for neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord [see 1 Corinthians 11:11].”5 (Ch 12, Life, par 10, pg 163)
What are priesthood keys? I held up some keys and asked what we use keys for. We use them to lock and unlock things, to protect things. I talked about how I had given my house key to a family in the ward so while we were on vacation, they could take care of our cats while we were gone. I then compared this to the priesthood. Priesthood keys are the authority to direct God's affairs on earth.
What is the difference between being ordained to an office in the priesthood and holding keys?
"There is a difference between receiving an office in the priesthood and in receiving the keys of the priesthood. This we should clearly understand. While all men hold the priesthood who are ordained to any office, yet there are special, or directing, authorities, bestowed upon those who are called to preside. These authorities are called keys.6 [Priesthood] keys are the right of presidency; they are the power and authority to govern and direct all of the Lord’s affairs on earth. Those who hold them have power to govern and control the manner in which all others may serve in the priesthood.7" (Ch 11, sec 1, par 1-3, pg. 153)
Who holds the keys in our ward? Most wards have four people who hold keys: the bishop, the elder's quorum president, the teacher's quorum president and the deacon's quorum president. Our ward also happens to have a mission president, and he has the keys to the mission. Outside the ward, the stake president has the keys for the stake. Auxiliary leaders like the Relief Society or Sunday School president don't have keys themselves, but work under the guidance of the bishop who has the keys for the ward.
Why are keys important?
"The Lord does not recognize any ordinance or ceremony, even though it be made or performed in his name, unless it is in accordance with his will and done by one who is recognized as his authorized servant. It was for that reason that he sent from his presence holy messengers to Joseph Smith and others, to restore that which had been taken from the earth, even the fullness of the gospel, and the fullness and the keys of priesthood.10" (Ch 11, sec 2, par 3, pg 154)
Who restored the keys to Joseph Smith? Pp154-155. I had the sisters search the pages in the book to tell me who restored keys, and what keys they restored. These are the ones mentioned in the book, and I wrote them on the chalkboard as the sisters named them:
John the Baptist – Aaronic Priesthood
Peter, James & John – Melchizedek Priesthood
Adam – Keys of Dispensation he led
Moses – Gathering of Israel
Elias – Blessings of Abraham
Elijah – Sealing Power
Is it significant that these men had to come back to restore these keys?
"May I now say—very plainly and very emphatically—that we have the holy priesthood and that the keys of the kingdom of God are here. They are found only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.17" (Ch 11, sec 2, par 13, pg 157) This is the only church on earth that has these keys, that has the authority to do baptisms and marriages that will be recognized in the next world!
What happens if Prophet dies unexpectedly?
"This priesthood and these keys … have been given to each man who has been set apart as a member of the Council of the Twelve. But since they are the right of presidency, they can only be exercised in full by the senior apostle of God on earth, who is the president of the Church.19" (Ch 11, sec 3, par 2, pg 157)
How do these keys work? The keys give authority and special guidance to oversee that area of responsibility. As such, they should be respected.
"Every man who is properly chosen to preside in any capacity in the Church should be honored in his calling. When a man is ordained to the office of a bishop, he is given the keys of presidency over the ward in which he resides and should be honored in his calling by every member of the ward, no matter what office any man may hold. The same is true of the president of the stake, the president of a quorum, or whatever it may be. To illustrate what this means we are taught that no father has the right, although he may hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, to baptize one of his own children without first obtaining the sanction of his bishop. When the sanction is obtained, the father is authorized to perform that ordinance for his child. Should any father take it upon himself to perform a baptism, or to ordain his son, without first obtaining the sanction of the presiding officer in the ward or stake, as the case may be, who holds the keys of authority, he would be in transgression. This applies to an apostle as well as to the elder in a ward. Even the President of the Church would never think to act in any matter of this kind without first recognizing the bishop of his ward or the president of his stake and the authority which had been delegated to the bishop or the president of the stake.24" (Ch 11, sec 4, par 5, pg 158)
"President Smith also honored the priesthood leaders in his ward. When he was serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he said: “I have no right … to baptize one of my own children without first going to the bishop in the ward where I live and getting his consent, because he holds the keys for that ward to which I belong as a member. I have never baptized any of my children … except I have gone to the bishop and got his sanction to perform that ordinance and to confirm them members of the Church.”5 "
This is God's Church, and He is a god of order.
"As the Lord’s agents we are bound by his law to do what he wants us to do regardless of personal feelings or worldly enticements. Of ourselves we have no message of salvation, no doctrine that must be accepted, no power to baptize or ordain or marry for eternity. All these things come from the Lord, and anything we do with reference to them is the result of delegated authority.9" (Ch 12, sec 2, par 10, pg 167)
"I think there is one thing which we should have exceedingly clear in our minds. Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, nor the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will ever lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord." (Ch 11, sec 5, par 1, pg 159)
I am grateful to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ. I know that the priesthood keys to govern the church were restored to Joseph Smith, and that they have been handed down to President Thomas S. Monson who holds and uses them today. I know that the bishop of my ward has keys that guide him and give him wisdom to direct the affairs of our ward. I know that it is through priesthood ordinances that we can gain eternal life.
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