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?