For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Saturday

Saturday Review

💭 Review Questions

• Why did priesthood authority need to be restored?
• Who restored the Aaronic Priesthood?
• Who restored the Melchizedek Priesthood?
• What blessings come through these priesthoods?
• How would your life be different if priesthood authority had never been restored?

💭 Final Thought

The restoration of the priesthood isn't simply an event that happened to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829. It affects you!

Because Jesus Christ restored His priesthood authority, you can receive authorized ordinances, make covenants with God, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, partake of the sacrament, worship in the temple, be sealed eternally to your family, and participate in the Lord's work. The Restoration of the priesthood is part of the way Jesus Christ gives God's children access to His power and His blessings.

For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Friday

Friday Topic: What If the Priesthood Had Never Been Restored?

💎 Eternal Truth: "The restoration of the priesthood makes essential ordinances, covenants, and blessings available to God's children today"

Imagine waking up tomorrow in a world where the priesthood had never been restored. Joseph Smith still prayed. The Book of Mormon was still translated. People still believed in Jesus Christ. You could still read the scriptures. You could still pray.

But John the Baptist never appeared. Peter, James, and John never came.

💭 Think About It

• What Would Be Missing?

Think of the following ordinances, and which ones would be unable to be performed without the restoration of the priesthood. 

• Baptism by proper authority
• Confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost
• The sacrament administered by proper authority
• Priesthood blessings
• Temple ordinances
• Temple sealings
• Priesthood ordination

Think About Your Own Life

• Think of three ordinances from the list above that matter especially to you.
• Why do they matter to you?

✏️ Today's Question

How has the restoration of priesthood authority changed my life?

For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Thursday

Thursday Topic: The Power of Godliness

💎 Eternal Truth: "Through priesthood ordinances and covenants, God's power can become part of my life"

Priesthood authority wasn't restored merely so that the Church could have leaders. It was restored so that God's children could receive ordinances and make covenants with Him.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

🧠 Ordinance

An ordinance is a sacred act performed by the authority of God's priesthood.

💭 Think About It

Which of these are priesthood ordinances?

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Sacrament
• Priesthood ordination
• Temple endowment
• Temple sealing

(Answer: All of them)

✏️ Your Life in Ordinances

Make a simple timeline of your life. Mark ordinances you have already received and ones you hope to receive someday.

Saving Ordinances: 

Baptism & Confirmation     Aaronic Priesthood     Melchizedek Priesthood     

Temple Endowment     Temple Sealing

Non-Saving Ordinances, but Essential: 

Baby Blessing    The Sacrament    Patriarchal Blessings

BIRTH

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

TODAY

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

💭 Think Deeper

An ordinance isn't just a ceremony. Ordinances allow us to make covenants with God, and as we faithfully keep those covenants, we can receive greater access to His power.

📖 Read Again: Doctrine and Covenants 84:20

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

💭 Think About It

• Why do you think the Lord connects ordinances with power?

Think of one priesthood ordinance you have participated in recently.

Perhaps it was:

• taking the sacrament
• attending a baptism
• participating in a confirmation
• going to the temple
• receiving a priesthood blessing

What did you feel or learn about Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ through that experience?

✏️ Today's Question

Where have I seen “the power of godliness” in my own life because of priesthood ordinances?

For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Wednesday

Wednesday's Topic: Peter, James, and John Return

💎 Eternal Truth: "Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery"

The Aaronic Priesthood was an important beginning, but more was needed. Remember Peter from last week's study? Jesus had told him:

 “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

Peter, along with James and John, had received priesthood authority from Jesus Christ Himself. After John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood, these three ancient Apostles appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the Melchizedek Priesthood.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 27:12–13

12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;

13 Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;

 

 💭 Think About It

• Who appeared?
• What did they possess?

✏️ Complete the chain of authority:

Jesus Christ ➡️ _______________, ________________, and ________________ ➡️ Joseph Smith 

and ______________________________ ➡️ Priesthood authority restored to the earth

💭 Think About It

• What blessings came with it?

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–19

18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—

19 To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

💭 Think About It

• What blessings are associated with the Melchizedek Priesthood?
• What do you think the “the mysteries of the kingdom” means?
• What do you think it means to grow in your knowledge of God and His ways?

Yesterday you studied the Aaronic Priesthood, and today you studied the Melchizedek Priesthood.

• What is one blessing associated with each?

✏️ Today's Question

Why do you think Jesus Christ sent the ancient Apostles Peter, James, and John to restore the authority they had received from Him?

For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Tuesday

Tuesday Topic: John the Baptist Returns

💎 Eternal Truth: "John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery"

On May 15, 1829, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went into the woods near the Susquehanna River. They had been translating the Book of Mormon and had questions about baptism. At the river, they prayed. Their prayer led to an extraordinary event.

📖 Read: Joseph Smith—History 1:68–72

68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:

69 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

70 He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.

71 Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded.*

72 The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.

💭 Think About It

• Who appeared?
• What did he confer upon Joseph and Oliver?
• How did he confer it?

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 13:1

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

💭 Think About It

John the Baptist explained what authority belonged to the Aaronic Priesthood.

Find these three things:

1. The keys of the ministering of __________________
2. The gospel of __________________
3. Baptism by immersion for the remission of _________________

 

•  Why John the Baptist?

📖 Read: Matthew 3:13–17

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

💭 Think About It

• What ordinance did John perform for Jesus Christ?

John the Baptist had possessed priesthood authority during his mortal life. Centuries later, the resurrected John returned as a heavenly messenger to restore that authority.

Which of these blessings have you experienced?

• Baptism
• The sacrament
• Ministering of angels
• Preparing to receive further priesthood blessings

 

• How have these blessings brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

✏️ Today's Question 

What does the appearance of John the Baptist teach me about how seriously God takes priesthood authority?

For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Monday

Monday Topic: Why Did the Priesthood Need to Be Restored?

💎 Eternal Truth: "Jesus Christ established His Church with priesthood authority. That authority was later lost from the earth and needed to be restored"

When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, He didn't simply teach people His gospel. He also called Apostles and gave them authority to act in His name.

📖 Read: Luke 9:1–2

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

 

💭 Think About It

• What are two things Jesus gave His Apostles?

📖 Read: John 15:16

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

💭 Think About It

• Who chose the Apostles?

What Happened Next?

After Jesus Christ was resurrected and ascended into heaven, His Apostles continued His work, but eventually the Apostles were killed. Without the Apostles and the priesthood keys they held, Christ's complete priesthood authority was no longer present on the earth. This was part of what we call the Great Apostasy.

📖 Read: Amos 8:11–12

11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

 

💭 Think About It

The prophet Amos described a coming famine, but it wasn't a famine of food.

• What would people hunger and thirst for?

Imagine that you had:

• the Bible
• people who believed in Jesus
• churches
• sincere prayers
• people trying to follow Christ

…but no one had authority from Jesus Christ to perform His ordinances.

• Could sincerity alone restore that authority? Why or why not?

🧠 Restoration

To restore something means to bring back something that had previously existed. The Restoration wasn't Joseph Smith inventing a new kind of priesthood. Jesus Christ brought His priesthood authority back.

✏️ Today's Question

• Why was a restoration of priesthood authority necessary instead of simply starting another church?

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

  

Saturday Review

💭 Review Questions

• Where does priesthood authority come from?
• What are priesthood keys?
• Why was the Restoration of priesthood authority necessary?
• How do priesthood keys and authority bless both women and men?
• How can I participate in God's work through priesthood authority?

🔑 Activity: Priesthood Keys Scavenger Hunt

💭 Final Thought

Priesthood authority isn't simply something to learn about. Because Jesus Christ restored His priesthood, you can receive His ordinances, make covenants with Him, receive His power and blessings, and participate in His work. As you serve Him, He can make you an instrument in His hands and help you become more like Him.

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

     

Friday Topic: What Will I Do With What I've Learned?

💎 Eternal Truth: "Jesus Christ invites me to participate in His work"

This week you've learned that:

• Priesthood authority comes from Jesus Christ.
• Priesthood keys direct the use of priesthood authority.
• Jesus Christ restored priesthood authority and keys through heavenly messengers.
• Priesthood ordinances give us access to God's blessings.
• Both women and men can serve with delegated priesthood authority.
• Young women and young men can participate in God's work.

Today, instead of learning another principle, think about what these truths mean for you.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 35:24–27

24 Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish;

25 And Israel shall be saved in mine own due time; and by the keys which I have given shall they be led, and no more be confounded at all.

26 Lift up your hearts and be glad, your redemption draweth nigh.

27 Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

 

💭 Think About It

In the previous verses, look for words or phrases describing what the Lord wants His people to do.

Sustain

One invitation in For the Strength of Youth is to sustain those whom God has called to serve. Sustaining someone means more than raising your hand during a Church meeting. It means supporting and helping them as they try to fulfill the responsibilities the Lord has given them.

Think of those who serve you and how you can sustain them:

• Prophet
• Bishop
• Young Women president
• Aaronic Priesthood adviser
• Class president
• Quorum president
• Teacher

✏️ Today's Question

• What is one thing I could do to better sustain one of the individuals listed above?

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

    

Thursday Topic: Priesthood Authority Blesses Everyone

💎 Eternal Truth: "Priesthood authority blesses all of God's children"

Sometimes people mistakenly think priesthood is important only to boys and men who are ordained to priesthood offices., but God's priesthood power and blessings are available to both His daughters and His sons. Through priesthood authority, we can receive ordinances and make covenants with God.

There is another important way both young women and young men participate in God's work.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 42:11

11 Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.

 

💭 Think About It

• What must happen before someone can officially teach or serve in the Church?

Callings and Assignments

When a woman or man is set apart for a Church calling, that person receives delegated priesthood authority to fulfill the calling. The same principle applies when Church leaders give assignments to youth.

You might be asked to:

• minister to someone
• help organize a youth activity
• welcome people at church
• serve in a class or quorum presidency
• teach a lesson
• help someone who needs a friend
• participate in temple and family history work

These aren't just jobs that need to get done. They are opportunities to participate in the work of Jesus Christ.

• Have you ever received a Church calling or assignment?
• What were you asked to do?
• Did you ever feel Heavenly Father helping you accomplish it?

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

✏️ Today's Question

• Where have I already experienced God's priesthood power in my life?

Think about your baptism, confirmation, sacrament meetings, priesthood blessings, temple experiences, family, callings, or other experiences.

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

   

Wednesday Topic: Jesus Christ Restored His Priesthood

💎 Eternal Truth: "Jesus Christ restored His priesthood authority and keys in our day"

After the deaths of Jesus Christ's ancient Apostles, priesthood authority and keys were eventually lost from the earth.

During the Restoration, heavenly messengers appeared to Joseph Smith and others and restored the authority they had received from God.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 13

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

 

💭 Think About It

• Who appeared?
• What priesthood authority did he restore?
• What blessings are associated with this priesthood?

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 110:11–16

11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.

13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

14 Behold, 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—

15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

💭 Think About It

Three ancient prophets appeared in the Kirtland Temple.

• What did Moses restore?
• What did Elias restore?
• What did Elijah restore?

Because priesthood authority was restored, you can:

• be baptized by proper authority
• receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
• partake of the sacrament
• receive priesthood blessings
• receive a patriarchal blessing
• make temple covenants
• be sealed to your family
• serve in Church callings with authority from God

What blessing is especially meaningful to you right now? Why did you choose it?

✏️ Today's Question

How would my life be different if priesthood authority had never been restored?

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

  

Tuesday Topic: What Are Priesthood Keys?

💎 Eternal Truth: "Priesthood keys govern and direct God's work"

Imagine arriving at your church building and discovering that every door is locked.

Several people might be strong enough to open the doors. Several might know what is inside the building. But the person who has been entrusted with the keys has authority to open it.

Priesthood keys represent authority from Jesus Christ to direct the use of His priesthood on the earth.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–20

18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—

19 To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

20 The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.

💭 Think About It

• What becomes available through the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods?

Who Holds Priesthood Keys?

Some Church leaders are given priesthood keys for particular responsibilities.

For example:

• The President of the Church holds and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys on earth
• Apostles hold priesthood keys
• Stake presidents hold keys for their stakes
• Bishops hold keys for their wards
• Elders quorum presidents hold keys
• Teachers quorum presidents hold keys
• Deacons quorum presidents hold keys

💭 Think About It

• Why would the Lord organize His Church with people responsible for directing different parts of His work?
• How might priesthood keys help bring order, unity, and direction to the Church?

Think about your own ward.

• Who holds priesthood keys that directly bless your life?
• How have you been blessed through their service?

✏️ Today's Question

How are priesthood keys different from simply being a leader?