Priesthood Keys
The rights of presidency, or the power given to man by God to direct, control, and govern God’s priesthood on the earth.
What are Priesthood Keys?
Reference: The Guide to the Scriptures, Priesthood Keys
The authorization to represent God and act in his name.
What is Priesthood authority?
Ref: "Priesthood authority is the authorization to represent God and act in His name. In the Church, all priesthood authority is exercised under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys." - General Handbook 3.4
True or false: For endowed women, if they aren't married, they don't "have the priesthood in their home".
False
"If you are endowed but not currently married to a man who bears the priesthood and someone says to you, “I’m sorry you don’t have the priesthood in your home,” please understand that that statement is incorrect. You may not have a priesthood bearer in your home, but you have received and made sacred covenants with God in His temple. From those covenants flows an endowment of His priesthood power upon you. And remember, if your husband should die, you would preside in your home." - President Nelson, Spiritual Treasures
True or false: whenever we make a covenant with God it is through an ordinance.
True
The first mortal man to receive the Priesthood.
Who is Adam?
Guide to the Scriptures, Melchizedek Priesthood - "God first revealed this higher priesthood to Adam."
Keys held by this person authorize the administration of the Sacrament.
Who is the Bishop?
Reference:
"An ordinance is most commonly officiated by persons who have been ordained to an office in the priesthood acting under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys. For example, the holders of the various offices of the Aaronic Priesthood officiate in the ordinance of the sacrament under the keys and direction of the bishop, who holds the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood." - Elder Oaks
Name one blessing of priesthood power that any member can receive.
What is guidance for their life, revelation to do the work they are called to do, help and strength to become more like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father?
Ref: "The blessings of priesthood power that members can receive include: Guidance for their lives. Revelation to know how to fulfill the work they are ordained, set apart, or assigned to do. Help and strength to become more like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father." - General Handbook 3.5
True or False: women can receive priesthood authority.
True
President Joseph Fielding Smith “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are given by the men who hold the Priesthood.”
The ordinances are performed under the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood.
What is baptism and the sacrament?
D&C 20:46,76
46 The priest’s duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament,
76 And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:
This tribe was chosen to receive the Aaronic priesthood and perform the Tabernacle ordinances during Moses time.
What is the Tribe of Levi?
Numbers 1: 47-50
47 ¶ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
48 For the Lord had spoken unto Moses, saying,
49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
The current holder of all keys that 'pertain to the kingdom of God on earth'.
Who are: all ordained Apostles, including the President of the Church, his counselors and all members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Reference:
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 those priesthood keys. - Gospel Topics, Priesthood Keys
There are three ways to receive priesthood authority, name one.
Bonus: Name the other two
What are: ordination, setting apart, assignment?
Ref: General Handbook 3.4.3
True or False: in the home, priesthood keys are required to teach, give blessings, or counsel
False.
Dallin H. Oaks "
The principle that priesthood authority can be exercised only under the direction of the one who holds the keys for that function is fundamental in the Church, but this does not apply in the family. For example, a father presides and exercises the priesthood in his family by the authority of the priesthood he holds. He has no need to have the direction or approval of one holding priesthood keys in order to perform his various family functions. These include counseling the members of his family, holding family meetings, giving priesthood blessings to his wife and children, or giving healing blessings to family members or others. Church authorities teach family members but do not direct the exercise of priesthood authority in the family.
The same principle applies when a father is absent and a mother is the family leader. She presides in her home and is instrumental in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into her family through her endowment and sealing in the temple. While she is not authorized to give the priesthood blessings that can be given only by a person holding a certain office in the priesthood, she can perform all of the other functions of family leadership. In doing so, she exercises the power of the priesthood for the benefit of the children over whom she presides in her position of leadership in the family."
Name one ordinance that isn't a 'saving' ordinance.
"Other ordinances, such as naming and blessing children, consecrating oil, and administering to the sick and afflicted, are also performed by priesthood authority. While they are not essential to our salvation, they are important for our comfort, guidance, and encouragement." True to the faith
The original name of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
What is 'The Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God'?
D&C 107:2-4
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Priesthood keys distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth. Name one way.
What is the authority from God to direct and influence your life now AND after death.
Reference:
"Priesthood keys distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth. Many other organizations can and do make your life better here in mortality. But no other organization can and will influence your life after death." - President Nelson
Name one way to lose priesthood power as mentioned in D&C 121:37
What is: cover our sins, gratify our pride, exercise control, dominion or compulsion?
Men and women receive priesthood authority to do these things, when called and set apart or assigned to do so.
What is teach, lead organizations, preach the gospel as missionaries and perform any other calling in the church?
"We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties." - Elder Oaks, April 2014
All of the saving ordinances of the Priesthood
What is Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Priesthood Ordination (for men), Washing and Anointing, Endowment, Sealing
"In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord." - True to the Faith
These three priesthood keys were restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith by three heavenly beings in the Kirtland Temple.
What are the key of the gathering of Israel, The key of the sealing power, and the keys of the dispensation of Abraham?
D&C 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.
These two priesthood keys haven't yet been granted to mortals.
What is the key of creation and the key of resurrection?
Reference:
"At general conference many years ago, President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that there are other priesthood keys that have not been given to man on the earth, including the keys of creation and resurrection." - Elder Oaks, April 2014
The source of priesthood power
What is keeping covenants with God?
Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power.
The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.
President Nelson, October 2019 (Spiritual Treasures)
This is a priesthood ordinance that is regularly performed by women
What is the Initiatory ordinances in the temples?
"Similarly, in the holy temple you [women] are authorized to perform and officiate in priesthood ordinances every time you attend. Your temple endowment prepares you to do so." - President Nelson, Spiritual Treasures
During the Endowment in the Holy Temple, you covenant to keep 5 laws, name them all.
What is: the Law of Sacrifice, the Law of Obedience, the Law of the Gospel, the Law of Chastity, and the Law of Consecration?
“The ordinances of the endowment embody certain obligations on the part of the individual, such as covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King,—the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions” James E. Talmage 'The House of the Lord'
Name the leader (first prophet) of each dispensation of the Gospel.
Who is Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith?
"A gospel dispensation is a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the keys of the holy priesthood.
Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and others have each started a new gospel dispensation. When the Lord organizes a dispensation, the gospel is revealed anew so that the people of that dispensation do not have to depend on past dispensations for knowledge of the plan of salvation. The dispensation begun by Joseph Smith is known as the 'dispensation of the fulness of times.' " - Guide to the Scriptures