Sources
- “Keys of the Priesthood” BY ELDER RUSSELL
M. NELSON of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 2005, Ensign
- Gospel
Principles, “The Priesthood”, Chapter 13
- “Priesthood Keys”, May 2012 - https://www.lds.org/new-era/2012/05/priesthood-keys?lang=eng
- Gospel
Principles, “Priesthood Organization”, Chapter 14
- Daughters
in my Kingdom, “Blessings of the Priesthood for All: An Inseparable
Connection with the Priesthood”, Chapter 8, Gordon B. Hinckley
Terms
- Priesthood:
The eternal power and authority of God (source #2)
- Power:
Ability delegated from God to minister for the salvation of men (source
#1); ability to bind in heaven (Matthew 18:18)
- Authority:
Rights to use and control that power (D&C 121:36, 41-42, 45) to bless
the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children here on Earth; ability to act
for the Lord and do His work on the earth (source #4); conferred by the
laying on of hands (Articles of Faith 1:5)
- Keys:
The right to direct the work of the priesthood (source #1)
Priesthood (source #2)
“The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the
priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth. By this power the
universe is kept in perfect order. Through this power He accomplishes His work
and glory, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”
(Moses 1:39).
“Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male
members of the Church. The priesthood enables them to act in God’s name for the
salvation of the human family. Through it they can be authorized to preach the
gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern God’s kingdom on
earth.”
Authority (source #1)
“A distinction also exists between priesthood authority and priesthood
power. When ordained to an office in the priesthood, one is granted authority.
But power comes from exercising that authority in righteousness. Thus, although priesthood holders have
authority, they must prepare themselves to have power. That they do through
making themselves personally worthy and through learning and practicing the
duties and doctrines of the priesthood.”
“When hands are laid upon one’s head to be ordained or set apart, both
the conveyor and the recipient of that priesthood authority bear obligations
and accountability. Let me illustrate. Suppose you own keys to something of
value in your life—a vehicle, a home, or a fine instrument. If you loan those
keys to another with the intent that he or she use your property, you have
certain obligations. You as the lender have a duty toward your borrower’s
success. So you teach and train adequately to protect the user and, at the same
time, safeguard your own valuable property. The receiver also has obligations.
He or she must know applicable laws and obey them, take care of your property,
and report back on how well he or she has used it.”
Keys (source #1)
“Those keys refer to the right to preside over priesthood authority in
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keys carry the right to preside over a local
organization of the Church, such as a stake, a ward or branch, a mission or
district, a priesthood quorum, or a temple. Keys are conferred by the laying on
of hands by one who holds proper authority and whose authority is known to the
Church.
“All the keys of the kingdom of God on earth are held by members of the
First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The
President of the Church—the senior Apostle—presides over the entire Church and
is the only person on earth who exercises all the keys in their fulness. He delegates authority by conferring or
authorizing the conferral of keys upon other bearers of the priesthood in their
specific offices and callings.”
“We distinguish between holding the priesthood and holding keys of the
priesthood. When an individual is given keys, he does not receive additional
priesthood.”
Example of being a doctor:
“To serve well as one who bears the holy priesthood, one needs both
preparation and permission. May I relate a personal experience? Prior to my
call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I served as a medical doctor and
surgeon. I had earned two doctor’s degrees. I had been certified by two
specialty boards. That long preparation had consumed many years, yet the
education itself did not allow me to serve the public. Why? Because I needed legal
permission. That could be granted only by authorities of the state government
and directing boards of hospitals in which I desired to work. Once officials
holding proper authority granted me a license and permission, then I could care
for patients who needed surgical relief from their ailments. After legal
administrators had exercised their keys, then I could render the service for
which I had been prepared.”
Keys (source #3)
“Priesthood keys are the right to preside over and direct the Church
within a jurisdiction. Keys usually apply to a geographic area, like a ward,
stake, or mission. They also usually include authority over specific ordinances
and activities (for instance, baptism, the sacrament, missionary work, and
temple work).”
“Ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament help us to return to
Heavenly Father in the celestial kingdom. Through the keys of the priesthood,
the Church administers these ordinances and provides an organization to carry
on the work of the Lord in an orderly manner—“Mine house is a house of order,
saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion” (D&C 132:8).
“So, for instance, although the Church has many worthy priesthood
holders, they need authorization from someone holding keys before performing
most ordinances. For example, if Aaronic Priesthood holders hear about a
homebound ward member who would like to receive the sacrament at home, they
cannot simply go and administer the sacrament to that member because they
believe it’s the right thing to do. They must be authorized by the bishop, who
holds the keys over the Aaronic Priesthood. And a father who holds the
priesthood cannot simply baptize his 8-year-old daughter or ordain his
12-year-old son to the Aaronic Priesthood without first being authorized by the
bishop to do so.”
“Having a calling means having responsibilities; holding keys means
presiding over and directing the work of the priesthood. For instance, a ward
Young Men president works under the direction of the bishop, who holds keys
over the ward, but the Young Men president’s responsibilities do not include
presiding over the priesthood, so he does not receive keys. The keys to direct
the work of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward belong to the bishop, the
teachers quorum president, and the deacons quorum president.”
Two Divisions of Priesthood
(source #4)
The priesthood is divided into two parts: the Melchizedek Priesthood
and the Aaronic Priesthood (see D&C 107:1). “The first is called the
Melchizedek Priesthood … 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 that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood”
(D&C 107:2–4; italics in original).
The lesser priesthood is an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood. It
is called the Aaronic Priesthood because it was conferred on Aaron and his sons
throughout all their generations. Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood have
authority to administer the outward ordinances of the sacrament and baptism.
(See D&C 20:46; 107:13–14, 20.)
Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to
lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the
world. They administer all the spiritual work of the Church (see D&C
84:19–22; 107:8). They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over
wards, branches, stakes, and missions. The Lord’s chosen prophet, the President
of the Church, is the presiding high priest over the Melchizedek Priesthood
(see D&C 107:65–67).
Aaronic Priesthood
Three names: Aaronic Priesthood, Levitical Priesthood, Preparatory
Priesthood
BD Aaronic Priesthood, D&C 107:1
“The terms Aaronic and Levitical are sometimes used synonymously
(D&C 107:1, 6, 10), although there are some specific differences in the
offices existing within the Levitical Priesthood. For example, the lesser
priesthood was conferred only upon men of the tribe of Levi. However, within
the tribe, only Aaron and his sons could hold the office of priest. And, still
further, from the firstborn of Aaron’s sons (after Aaron) was selected the high
priest (or president of the priests). Thus Aaron and his sons after him had
greater offices in the Levitical Priesthood than did the other Levites.
“The privileges of the priests were greater than those who functioned
in the other Levitical offices, and a distinction between the two is evident
when the scripture speaks of them as “the priests and the Levites” (1 Kgs. 8:4;
Ezra 2:70; John 1:19). The priests could offer sacrifices for the people, burn
incense on the altar, and teach the law, whereas the other Levites were
employed in more menial tasks, such as the housekeeping of the tabernacle,
keeping oil in the lamps, transporting the Ark of the Covenant, taking down and
setting up the tabernacle when moving, and related tasks in assisting the
priests (Num. 3:5–10; 18:1–7; 1 Chr. 23:27–32). The account of Korah’s
rebellion against Moses and Aaron delineates some of the differences between
the duties of the priests and those of the Levites. It also shows the error of
aspiring to offices in the priesthood. Levite companions sought for the high
priesthood, but as they were unworthy, the Lord destroyed them (Num. 16–18).
“The Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood thus functioned only within the
tribe of Levi, and the right to have it conferred upon one was determined by
lineage and worthiness. As part of his rationale that the law of Moses was
fulfilled, Paul makes a point of the contrast between the lineal requirement of
the lesser priesthood and the nonlineal Melchizedek Priesthood, which was not
confined to those of one tribe (see Heb. 7:1–3, 11–14; JST Heb. 7:3
[Appendix]). The lineal restrictions of that Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood
were lifted when the law of Moses was fulfilled, and thereafter the offices of
the priesthood were conferred upon worthy men without limitation to the tribe
of Levi. This appears to be the case in the Church as recorded in the New
Testament and in the Book of Mormon (where there were no Levites) and is
presently operative in the Church as it has been restored in the latter days.”
Women and Priesthood (source
#5)
“Heavenly Father’s worthy sons are ordained to priesthood offices and
are assigned specific duties and responsibilities. They are authorized to act
in His name to look after His children and to help them receive ordinances and
make and honor covenants. All Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters are equally
blessed as they draw upon the power of the priesthood.
In a general conference address, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles taught: “While we sometimes refer to priesthood holders as
‘the priesthood,’ we must never forget that the priesthood is not owned by or
embodied in those who hold it. It is held in a sacred trust to be used for the
benefit of men, women, and children alike.” Elder Oaks then quoted Elder John
A. Widtsoe, who also served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve: “Men have
no greater claim than women upon the blessings that issue from the Priesthood
and accompany its possession.”
Many Latter-day Saint women have borne witness of the blessings of the
priesthood in their lives. Sister Elaine L. Jack, the twelfth Relief Society
general president, expressed the feelings of other sisters in Relief Society.
“I have a firm testimony of the power of the priesthood in the lives of all
Church members,” she said. “In the Doctrine and Covenants we are … told that
the Melchizedek Priesthood holds ‘the keys of all the spiritual blessings of
the church’ (D&C 107:18). I know it is God’s power and authority on earth
to bless our lives and help us bridge our earthly experiences to the eternities.
When we receive the blessings of the priesthood, we are drawing on the power
and grace of God.” Sister Jack continued:
“It is significant to me that the women were organized under the
authority of the priesthood. We sustain the priesthood and are sustained by its
power. The sisters of the Church … treasure our opportunity to be full
partakers of the spiritual blessings of the priesthood.
“Each of us can be directed and blessed in our eternal progression by
receiving these blessings. The ordinances, covenants, sealings, and the gift of
the Holy Ghost are essential for exaltation. There are a host of individual
priesthood blessings as well. Priesthood blessings give us direction; they lift
our sights; they encourage and inspire us; they prompt our commitment. We can
all be partakers of these spiritual blessings.”4
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Sister Sheri L. Dew, who served as a counselor in the general Relief
Society presidency, echoed these teachings: “Sisters, some will try to persuade
you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood, you have been
shortchanged. They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of
Jesus Christ. The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous
man and woman. We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation,
and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge ‘armed’ with power. The
power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous
against the powers of darkness. Most significantly, the fulness of the
priesthood contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can be
received only by a man and woman together.”5
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