- July 13: Lesson 11&12: Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith & The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
President Joseph
Fielding Smith said, “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.”
The priesthood is
the power to act in God’s name. What is
the difference between keys of the priesthood and holding the priesthood
offices?
President Smith explained, “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….[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….When men are commissioned by the one who holds
these keys, then their acts are valid. That which they do is sealed and
ratified in the Church both on earth and in the heavens.”
Questions to ponder: How
is the church strengthened by us when we honor and sustain those who hold
priesthood keys and priesthood callings?
What blessings have you felt personally from the priesthood?
President Smith said, “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…An individual may fall
by the wayside, or have views, or give counsel which falls short of what the
Lord intends. But the voice of the First Presidency and the united voice of
those others who hold with them the keys of the kingdom shall always guide the
Saints and the world in those paths where the Lord wants them to be. …I
testify that if we shall look to the First Presidency and follow their counsel
and direction, no power on earth can stay or change our course as a church, and
as individuals we shall gain peace in this life and be inheritors of eternal
glory in the world to come [see D&C
59:23].”
President Smith declared: “I desire to call your attention I
desire to call your attention to the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek
Priesthood. I think if we have a clear understanding of the covenant we make
when we receive offices in the priesthood, and of the promise the Lord gives if
we magnify our callings, then we shall have a greater incentive to do all the
things we must do to gain eternal life….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.”
Priesthood holders promise to magnify their callings in the
priesthood and live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
As President of the
Church, Joseph Fielding Smith spoke in five priesthood sessions of general
conference, encouraging brethren to magnify their callings in the
priesthood. Because the sermons were
delivered in priesthood meetings, President Smith’s words were directed to men.
However, 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].”
Question to
ponder: How might the following
statements from President Smith apply to us as women as we
strive to fulfill our callings and responsibilities in the gospel?
“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.”
“It is my prayer
that all of us who have been called to represent the Lord and hold his
authority may remember who we are and act accordingly.”
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