This is the talk as I wrote it. I of course added some, and left out some based on what I was moved to talk about and the time.
Talk 5/22/11
Introduction:
Tony likes superheroes. His favorite is spider man. He plays with his toys; and sometimes he becomes a favorite character. He also assigns characters to those around him. I have been Iron man and Superman and sometimes I am the bad guy with the evil karate chop and he uses his web powers, or his fire powers to ward me off.
A worthy Priesthood man, in the eternal nature of things, has more power than any super hero. I loved Elder Uchtdorff’s talk during General priesthood meeting. He asked, “Are we as priesthood holders living below our privileges when it comes to the sacred power, gifts, and blessings that are our opportunity and right as bearers of God’s priesthood?”
Elder Russel M Nelson said “Priesthood is the authority of God delegated to man to minister for the salvation of men. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood.”
Joseph F Smith said, “It is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 136)
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught “the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom.
This month we celebrate the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood; May 15, 1829. John the Baptist laid his hands on the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver
Cowdery and prayed,
D&C Section 13: 1Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I aconfer the bPriesthood of Aaron, which holds the ckeys of the ministering of dangels, and of the gospel of erepentance, and of fbaptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of gLevi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in hrighteousness.
Please note that not only the Aaronic Priesthood was restored, but also the keys. In like fashion, when the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored, so were the keys of the priesthood and the apostleship.
We celebrate the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood somewhere between May 16-29 of 1829. In section 27 we read, 12And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have aordained you and confirmed you to be bapostles, and especial cwitnesses of my dname, and bear the keys of your ministry… In the Ensign of 1996, Larry C Porter noted
That Joseph and Oliver had previously received the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of Peter, James, and John is further affirmed by the proceedings of the organizational meeting held on 6 April 1830. Without those keys, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery would not have been authorized or would not have had the priesthood power to take the actions they took on that day. Although each already had received the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and apostolic authority, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery ordained each other to be an elder to “signify that they were elders in the newly organized Church.” 1 When Peter James and John restored the priesthood to Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, this included the keys of apostleship. Additional keys, however, were restored after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Joseph and Oliver first saw a vision of Jesus Christ. We read in DC 110 11After this avision closed, the heavens were again bopened unto us; and cMoses appeared before us, and committed unto us the dkeys of the egathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the fnorth. 13After this vision had closed, another great and glorious avision burst upon us; for bElijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said: 14Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come— 15To aturn the bhearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse— 16Therefore, the akeys of this bdispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful cday of the Lord is near, even at the doors. It is important to have a testimony that these keys have been restored, and are active today. Henry B Eyring said in a conference address in 2004, “We have to know by inspiration that the priesthood keys are held by those who lead and serve us. That requires the witness of the Spirit. And that depends upon our testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that He lives and leads His Church. We must also know for ourselves that the Lord restored His Church and the priesthood keys through the Prophet Joseph Smith. And we must have an assurance through the Holy Ghost, refreshed often, that those keys have been passed without interruption to the living prophet and that the Lord blesses and directs His people through the line of priesthood keys which reaches down through presidents of stakes and of districts and through bishops and branch presidents to us, wherever we are and no matter how far from the prophet and the apostles. (Henry B. Eyring Oct 2004, Faith and Keys)
The apostles and prophets have been given all the keys of the priesthood, however only the prophet is given the right to exercise all of these keys. In the Basic Manuel for Priesthood Holders we read, “The President of the Church, therefore, is the only man on earth who has the power to exercise all of the keys of the priesthood. However, he delegates certain keys to the leaders who preside in the Church. These men include mission presidents, branch presidents, temple presidents, stake presidents, bishops, and Melchizedek Priesthood quorum presidents. They in turn delegate a portion of their authority (but not their keys) to men and women in their units by setting them apart to different offices and callings.”
In reviewing, the priesthood and the keys of the priesthood are two different things. The priesthood being the authority delegated to man to minister for the salvation of man. The power of directing this authority pertains to the keys of the priesthood. For example, my son Caleb has just turned 16 and will shortly become a priest and have the authority to baptize. However he will not have the right to baptize, as these keys lie with the Bishop. The bishop must give permission for this ordinance to be performed. Similarly, as a high priest, I have the authority to set him apart as a priest, but not the keys.
When someone is confirmed to the Melchizedek Priesthood, he has been given all the priesthood. An apostle, bishop or other office does not have more priesthood than a recently confirmed Elder, but they do have more keys. There are only two priesthoods, Aaronic and Melchizedek, but different offices and keys within that priesthood.
I am reminded of a story told by my stake president growing up, Elder Garth P. Lee. In stake conference, he brought a black powder rifle which had belonged to his grandfather, and then told this story, which I loosely relate. There was a proceeding with regards to a property matter which was heard in church court, which was common in that day, between President Lee’s Grandfather and Brigham Young. The matter was decided in Brigham Young’s favor. As the meeting dispersed, Brigham Young said something along these lines to this individual, “I imagine you will now just leave the church.” This gentleman’s response was, “I think not. The church is just as much mine as it is yours.” This brother knew that, although they had different callings and different keys, they had the same amount of priesthood, and the same claim to priesthood blessings.
Some rights are given to a man automatically when he is given the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood. For instance, when a man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, he is given the authority to give father’s blessings, to give blessings of comfort, and to administer to the sick. He will hold these rights as long as he bears that priesthood. Even death cannot take this authority from him.
However, there are certain rights that one can be given that are only temporary. A branch president, for example, holds the keys of his branch only for the time he remains branch president. When he is released from that position, he no longer holds these keys.
Those positions which include keys in the church include, in the Aaronic Priesthood, Deacon’s President (it is interesting to note that in our last stake priesthood meeting it was mentioned the deacon’s president will take a larger role in caring for the church buildings), Teacher’s President and Bishop. The Bishop while an appendage of the Melchizedek Priesthood, presides over the Aaronic priesthood in a ward.
On the other hand in the Melchizedek Priesthood the Stake President presides over a stake. There are the Elder’s quorum Presidents, patriarch and Stake President. The stake President is the president of the High Priest quorum. Other church positions with keys are: Mission President, Temple Presidents, apostles and prophet.
The concept of keys is vital to the Gospel, to prevent confusion, and so all things can be done at the proper time. Again in the Priesthood Manual we read, “Because the priesthood is sacred, we are told to use it with care. The priesthood is therefore governed in an orderly way to avoid confusion and prevent its misuse. “Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion” (D&C 132:8) One is reminded of Moses who set apart some to be rulers of hundreds, some to be rulers of fifties, and others to be rulers of tens. He then taught them how to preside over their groups. (See Exodus 18:17–22.) Today our priesthood leaders—bishops and stake, district, mission, branch, and quorum presidents—are given the keys of the priesthood so we can be led in an orderly way and receive the necessary ordinances of the gospel. Church leaders have many responsibilities because they hold keys of the priesthood.
There is a combination of the use of priesthood keys, and the keys inherent in the priesthood. For example it is with the use of keys and priesthood authority that a couple is sealed in the temple. However inherent in the role of husband and father are priesthood keys to preside and be patriarch of the family. Also inherent in the family are the sacred roles of wife and mother. We are not set apart in these positions, but priesthood plays a vital role in the family. President McKay said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”
Mission Presidents are called and given keys, our proselyting and ward missionaries are set apart to act in their roles. However as President McKay said, “Every member a missionary.” We all can receive insight in how to conduct ourselves to be a light to others, and to invite them to the gospel. However missionary work is conducted through proper keys and authority.
Another concept is that we all should be anxiously engaged in a good work. The church is managed by priesthood keys, and home teaching and visiting teaching are instituted for taking care of the temporal needs of church members. However we all should be sensitive to doing our part. In Mosiah we learn that as members we should bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and mourn with those that bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort When we are called to a position, and set apart, we are in essence borrowing the keys from the person who has keys. Sometimes we use these “borrowed keys” in fulfilling our duty to help others. However at other times we use inherent keys of being a priesthood holder or church member in blessing the lives of others. This can include a priesthood blessing, a word of comfort, or just being a friend.
The Westward migration was organized as near to the organization of the church as possible. It also looked very much like the organization of the Israelites. A company President with two counselors, and other company positions as needed. Bishops were called to lead each group of 100. These groups of 100 were organized into tent groups of about 20, and wagon or handcart groups of a family or four or five persons.
My Great Great Grandfather, Isaac Wardle, as a young man of 19, was part of the Martin Handcart Company. He had responsibility for his handcart group, setting up his groups tent, and helping with burials. He used his inherent keys to bless the life of another handcart member. A member of his handcart group, Langley Bailey, became very ill, and Isaac, helped pull him on the handcart across the plains. 60 years later, Langley wrote a letter to Isaac.
“I can remember one morning every tent was blowed down but ours. You did stake our tent down strong and firm. My dear brother I honor and respect you much more than I can explain. You and my brother John (he was a boy 15) hauled me on the handcart for hundreds of miles. Can I forget you. Can I ever repay you, your kindness. No. No.”
Before the snow fell on these Saints, Brigham Young organized a rescue party, knowing they were late and headed for problems. He sent a call out over the pulpit at general conference in October. Many men responded to this call, and within just a few days were headed East. They did not take time to set everyone apart, but they did organize after they had gotten started, and elected a captain.
Ephraim Hanks was not at conference. He was fishing commercially on Utah Lake. He spent the night at a lodge, and heard someone call his voice. He woke and asked the owner if he had called him. It wasn’t until the third call that he perceived, “Ephraim, the handcart companies are in trouble.” The next day Ephraim was on his was to Salt Lake, and from there joined the rescue. He was behind the other rescuers. He took a wagon of provisions. When the rescuers became snowed in, he traded his wagon for a couple of mules, and continued on his way. He happened to see a buffalo, and shot it and filled it out putting meat on his mules. He then was inspired to shoot another buffalo, and left it. It was the evening of the next day that he ran onto the handcart company, now mostly in wagons, wending their way to Salt Lake having left Martin’s Cove a couple days before. He distributed buffalo meat to the company, and the next day they were able to get the second buffalo. Even though Ephraim came late to the rescue, he is one of two rescuers mentioned in the history of my great great grandfather. He blessed the Saints and restored many to health. One brother he brought back from the brink of death. Those he couldn’t heal, he operated on with his knife, cutting away dead frost bitten flesh. Many said they didn’t feel pain as he operated. Ephraim was prepared to exercise his priesthood for the benefit of others. He lived in such a way that he could hear the voice of the Lord calling him, so his special skills could help the handcart Saints.
Returning to Elder Uchtdorff’s talk, he suggested three things to more fully use the priesthood.
Read the owner’s manual
The holy priesthood of God also has an owner’s manual. Let us commit to reading the scriptures and handbooks with more purpose and more focus. Let us begin by rereading sections 20, 84, 107, and 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants. The more we study the purpose, potential, and practical use of the priesthood, the more we will be amazed by its power, and the Spirit will teach us how to access and use that power to bless our families, our communities, and the Church.
Seek revelations of the Spirit
Think of what a glorious thing it is to reach beyond our earthly limitations, to have the eyes of our understanding opened and receive light and knowledge from celestial sources! It is our privilege and opportunity as bearers of the priesthood to seek personal revelation and to learn how to know the truth for ourselves through the sure witness of the Holy Spirit.
Find Joy in Priesthood Service
You may want to ask yourself if you are merely going through the motions as a priesthood bearer—doing what is expected but not experiencing the joy that should be yours. Holding the priesthood gives us abundant opportunities to feel the joy that Ammon expressed: “Have we not great reason to rejoice? … We have been instruments in [the Lord’s] hands of doing this great and marvelous work. Therefore, let us glory … in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice.”(alma 26)
Brother Uchtdorrf concludes, “As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell you how to live up to your priesthood privileges. Don’t let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit.”
This is the Church of Jesus Christ. He is its head. I bear testimony that the priesthood keys have been restored, and are used to administer the church. May we use the keys properly, in doing a good work and being an example of good, In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
