DM: Prophets & Revelation/Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
Reading Assignment for Friday, Feb. 2: Read these two sections from our Doctrinal Mastery Core Document and mark key principles.
5) Prophets and Revelation
6) Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
- Come prepared to share key ideas from what you read.
- Identify at least one thing you would like to know more about each topic and come prepared to ask your question.
You can find and mark these topics in our Gospel Library by using the following path:
I've also pasted the text here if that makes it is easier:
5. Prophets and Revelation
A prophet is a person who has been called by God to speak for Him (see Jeremiah 1:4–5; Amos 3:7; John 15:16; D&C 1:37–38). Prophets testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and help us avoid deception (see Ezekiel 3:16–17; Ephesians 4:11–14). At times, they prophesy of future events. Prophets are able to perform these responsibilities because they receive authority and revelation from God.
Revelation is communication from God to His children. Most revelation comes through impressions, thoughts, and feelings from the Holy Ghost. Revelation can also come through visions, dreams, and visitations by angels.
During His mortal ministry and again in our day, the Lord organized His Church on the foundation of prophets and apostles (see Ephesians 2:19–20). The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet to all the people of the earth today. We sustain the President of the Church as a prophet, seer, and revelator and as the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the entire Church. If we faithfully receive and obey the teachings of the President of the Church, God will bless us to overcome deception and evil (see D&C 21:4–6). We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.
The scriptures—the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price—contain revelations given through ancient and latter-day prophets. As we study the words of prophets, we can learn truth and receive guidance.
While God gives revelation through prophets to guide all of His children, individuals can receive revelation to help them with their specific needs, responsibilities, and questions and to help strengthen their testimonies. However, personal inspiration from the Lord will never contradict the revelation God gives through His prophets.
Related references: Abraham 3:22–23; Matthew 16:15–19; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Nephi 32:3; D&C 8:2–3; D&C 76:22–24
Related topics: Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge; Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
6. Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children.
God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation and edification of all of His children (see D&C 121:36, 41–42).
The keys of the priesthood are the rights of presidency, or the power God gives to man to govern and direct the kingdom of God on the earth (see Matthew 16:15–19). Priesthood keys are necessary to direct the preaching of the gospel and the administration of the ordinances of salvation.
Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood pertaining to His Church. He has conferred upon each of His Apostles all the keys that pertain to the kingdom of God on earth. The President of the Church is the only person authorized to exercise all of those priesthood keys. Temple presidents, mission presidents, stake presidents, bishops, and quorum presidents also hold priesthood keys that allow them to preside over and direct the work they have been commissioned to do.
All who serve in the Church—men and women—are called under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys. Thus, they are entitled to the power needed to serve and fulfill the responsibilities of their callings (see D&C 42:11).
Those who are ordained to the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods enter into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. If they magnify their calling and faithfully receive the Lord and His servants, they will obtain the blessings of exaltation. Women are likewise promised the blessings of exaltation as they are faithful to the covenants they have made with the Lord.
Related references: John 15:16; Ephesians 2:19–20
Related topics: The Restoration; Prophets and Revelation; Ordinances and Covenants
Aaronic Priesthood
The Aaronic Priesthood is often called the preparatory priesthood. The Aaronic Priesthood “holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism” (D&C 13:1). Through the exercise of this priesthood, the sacrament is prepared, blessed, and administered. The offices of the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop.
Melchizedek Priesthood
The Melchizedek Priesthood is the higher, or greater, priesthood and “holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things” (D&C 107:8). All of the blessings, ordinances, covenants, and organizations of the Church are administered under the authority of the President of the Church, who is the President of the Melchizedek Priesthood. This priesthood was given to Adam and has been on the earth whenever the Lord has revealed His gospel. Within the Melchizedek Priesthood are the offices of elder, high priest, patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle.
Related reference: Ephesians 4:11–14