DEACON DUTIES
According to Doctrine and Covenants 20, deacons are called to invite everyone to come unto whom?
Jesus Christ.
Who was with Joseph Smith when the Aaronic Priesthood was restored?
Oliver Cowdery.
Which heavenly messenger restored the Aaronic Priesthood?
John the Baptist.
What is a “fellow servant”?
Someone who serves alongside another person under the same master.
You are passing the sacrament and your friend is trying to make you laugh. What should you do?
Stay reverent and focused on the Savior and the sacred ordinance you are helping administer.
True or false: A deacon's priesthood responsibilities are mainly about passing the sacrament.
False. Deacons also have responsibilities to serve, warn, expound, exhort, teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
What were Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery doing that led them to ask God about baptism?
Translating the Book of Mormon and learning about baptism and the remission of sins.
On what date was the Aaronic Priesthood restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery?
May 15, 1829.
Who called Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery his “fellow servants”?
John the Baptist.
Your quorum president asks you to check on a deacon who hasn't been coming to church. Whose work are you actually helping accomplish?
Jesus Christ's work.
Name two things Doctrine and Covenants 20 says teachers and deacons are to do.
Any two of these: warn, expound, exhort, teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
Where did Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery go to pray about baptism?
Into the woods.
What did John the Baptist call Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when he appeared to them?
His fellow servants.
Who is the Master that John the Baptist, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Aaronic Priesthood holders today all serve?
Jesus Christ.
You are asked to pass the sacrament, but nobody seems to notice whether you do it well or not. Why does your service still matter?
You are serving the Savior and helping others participate in a sacred ordinance and renew their covenants.
What is the bigger purpose behind a deacon's priesthood duties?
To serve others and help them connect with God and Jesus Christ.
What did Joseph and Oliver do to each other after receiving the Aaronic Priesthood?
They baptized each other and then ordained each other to the Aaronic Priesthood as directed.
John the Baptist said the Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels and the gospel of what?
Repentance.
Why is it significant that an angel like John the Baptist called two young men “fellow servants”?
They were participating in the same work of Jesus Christ, even though they lived at different times.
A friend says, “Being a deacon doesn't seem that important. You just pass the sacrament.” Based on today's lesson, what could you tell him?
Being a deacon is about much more than passing the sacrament. Deacons receive priesthood authority and responsibilities to serve others, strengthen the Church, teach and invite people to Christ, and assist with sacred ordinances.
Give three ways a deacon could help someone come closer to Jesus Christ without being at the sacrament table.
Answers could include ministering, teaching, inviting someone to church, helping someone in need, being a friend, sharing the gospel, fulfilling an assignment, or following a prompting to serve.
According to Joseph Smith's history, what happened to Joseph and Oliver after they were baptized and received the Holy Ghost?
They experienced great spiritual blessings, rejoiced, prophesied, and had greater understanding of the scriptures.
John the Baptist said the Aaronic Priesthood also holds the keys of baptism by immersion for what?
The remission of sins.
You are a 12-year-old deacon passing the sacrament. Explain how you could actually be considered a “fellow servant” with John the Baptist.
Both are serving Jesus Christ using the authority He has given and helping God's children come to Christ through the Aaronic Priesthood.
Your quorum has a boy who doesn't feel like he fits in and rarely comes. Using the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood, name three things your quorum could actually do to help him.
Answers will vary. Examples include befriending him, inviting him personally, visiting him, including him in activities, serving him, teaching or encouraging him, praying for him, or helping him feel that he belongs.