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?