For the Strength of Youth ~ 1st Week of September ~ Monday

 

Monday Topic: Priesthood Power Comes from Jesus Christ

💎 Eternal Truth: "All priesthood keys and authority come through Jesus Christ"

Priesthood is not simply an organization of people or a position someone holds in the Church. Priesthood authority comes from Jesus Christ.

When the Savior was on the earth, He called Apostles and gave them authority to act in His name. He taught Peter about something He called the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

📖 Read: Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

💭 Think About It

• What did Jesus promise to give Peter?
• Why do you think Jesus used the symbol of keys to describe this authority?

Think about an ordinary key.

A key does not create what is behind a locked door. Instead, it gives someone the authority to open the door and provide access to what is already there.

Priesthood keys work in a similar way. Jesus Christ is the source of God's power. Priesthood keys authorize and direct how His priesthood is used to bless God's children.

📖 Read Hebrews 5:4–5

4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

 

💭 Think About It

• What does this teach you about receiving authority from God?
• Why might it matter that someone does not simply decide for themselves that they have God's authority?

✏️ Today's Question

What does knowing that priesthood authority comes from Jesus Christ teach me about Him?