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?

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?