Blessings and Ordinances
What priesthood ordinances or blessings have you participated in before?
Baptism, confirmation, sacrament, baby blessing, maybe healing or comfort blessings
True or False:
You use priesthood authority to bless yourself
False! Pres Nelson said “we have been given a sacred trust—the authority of God to bless others.”
It is our responsibility to learn more about the priesthood. How can you learn more?
Read the scriptures (D&C 20, 84 and 107), read conference talks, talk to your parents, go to the temple, ponder, pray
True or False:
Attending the temple will increase your power in the priesthood
True idea from Pres Nelson
What is the difference between a priesthood blessing and a priesthood ordinance?
Ordinances and blessings are sacred acts performed by the authority of the priesthood that provide access to God’s power
Some ordinances are necessary for salvation and some need authorization from leader who holds priesthood keys
A blessing is for healing, comfort and encouragement.
What are some purposes of the priesthood?
bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others--Pres Nelson
to provide God’s children access to the atoning power of Jesus Christ --Elder Renlund
To do saving ordinances
To do what Christ would do
How can you increase your power in the priesthood after you receive it or make covenants?
Pres Nelson—“I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power”
Develop faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence. And don’t forget humility!
Pray from our hearts. search the scriptures. Worship in the temple. Serve others.
True or False:
God’s priesthood power flows to all members of the Church—female and male—as they keep the covenants they have made with Him.
True quote from church handbook
Some ordinances have covenants connected to them, such as baptism and the endowment. Keeping those covenants will bring God’s power into your life.
True or False:
There are more parts to the priesthood than what we currently have
True--Elder Oaks--There are other priesthood keys that have not been given to man on the earth, including the keys of creation and resurrection.
What are some duties of deacons?
The deacon’s duty is to pass the sacrament, gather fast offerings, and “to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.”--D&C 20:59, Elder Romney
To preach the gospel is a priesthood duty. And the power associated with this duty is not just for prophets or even just for missionaries. It is for you!--Elder Holmes
True or False:
Every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having charge over you.
True quote from Pres Nelson
Name 5 priesthood blessings or ordinances
Baptism, confirmation, ordaining to the priesthood, temple endowment, sealings, sacrament, baby name and blessing, blessing the sick, patriarchal blessing, special blessing
How does the priesthood help us in our homes?
(MANY POSSIBLE ANSWERS!!)
All Church members who keep their covenants—women, men, and children—are blessed with God’s priesthood power in their homes to strengthen themselves and their families
When do young women use priesthood authority?
When boys and girls turn 12, they may have the opportunity of serving in a class or quorum presidency. They will need to understand what President Oaks taught, that “whoever functions in an office or calling from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing his or her assigned duties” --lds.org
True or False:
Women officiate in priesthood ordinances in the temple
True! Quote from Pres Oaks
Though women do not hold an office in the priesthood, they perform sacred temple ordinances under the authorization of the president of the temple, who holds the keys for the ordinances of the temple.