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What are the keys of the priesthood?

What are the keys of the priesthood?

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Priesthood keys are the authority Heavenly Father has given to priesthood leaders to direct the use of His priesthood on earth. Jesus Christ holds all priesthood keys. “The keys of this dispensation,” which are necessary to lead the Church, were conferred on the Prophet Joseph Smith (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:16). Today the members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold those keys. Priesthood keys are also given to the Presidency of the Seventy; presidents of temples, missions, stakes, and districts; bishops; branch presidents; and quorum presidents—including Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidents.

Resources to Help You Prepare

These resources are to help you prepare for the “Learn together” section of the meeting.

Questions to Ponder before You Teach

Think of the priesthood leaders in your life. How did you gain a testimony that they are called of God?

What can you do to help the young women understand the significance of priesthood keys in the Church? In what ways have the young women been blessed by the service of those who hold priesthood keys? How is their service as young women influenced by the leadership of those who hold priesthood keys?

What can the young women do to prepare to learn? For example, they could read a talk, watch a video, or study a scripture related to this doctrine.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior called and set apart leaders to direct and govern His Church (see Matthew 10:1–5). How can you help the young women feel gratitude for those who are called to serve and help them?

Video: “Asking Follow-up Questions”

Meeting Outline

1. Counsel Together and Share Experiences

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

  • Our class: Who is missing today? What visits do we need to make? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity? Who needs our help and prayers?

  • Our responsibilities: What assignments do we need to make? What assignments have we fulfilled? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?

  • Our lives: Remind the class of the discussion from the last meeting. What experiences have we had with applying what we learned? What experiences have we had in the past few weeks that strengthened our testimonies of the gospel?

If possible, discuss these items beforehand in a class presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the class; approximately 25–35 minutes

After studying the above resources and following the inspiration of the Spirit, you may select one or more of the activities below to help class members understand the doctrine.

  • Read together the historical account of the events that took place in the Kirtland Temple from Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “Prepare to Meet God.” Invite each of the young women to cut out three paper keys. On one side they could write the power of each of the keys mentioned in Elder Cook’s talk, and on the other side they could write how we fulfill the responsibilities of those keys today. What can the young women do as a class to participate in these sacred responsibilities?

  • In his talk “Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?” Elder Gary E. Stevenson explains priesthood keys by comparing them to car keys (see also the video “Where Are the Keys?”). As the young women read this analogy, direct them to look for what in the analogy represents the priesthood, priesthood keys, and priesthood leaders who hold keys. In what ways does Elder Stevenson suggest that young people can “find the keys”? How can we follow his counsel? Invite the young women to think of their own object lesson that they could use to explain priesthood keys.

  • Write the following scripture references on the board: Matthew 16:18–19; Doctrine and Covenants 124:123, 142–43; 132:7. Invite the young women to read each of the scriptures and write a one-sentence summary of what they learn about priesthood keys from the verses. Ask each young woman to read one of her summaries aloud, and ask the other young women to identify which scripture she is summarizing. Ask the young women why it is important to them that the priesthood keys are on the earth today.

  • Ask the young women to read the first three paragraphs and the story about visiting a church in Denmark from President Boyd K. Packer’s talk “The Twelve” (or they could watch the video “The Restoration of Priesthood Keys”). Invite them to teach each other what they learn about priesthood keys from these talks. What blessings have come to them through the service of those who hold priesthood keys?

  • Invite each young woman to read section III of President Dallin H. Oaks’s talk “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood” and write a brief paragraph summarizing, in her own words, what she learns about priesthood keys. Give the young women time to share what they write and to ask any questions they have about priesthood keys.

3. Plan to Act

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

  • Ask the young women to discuss any feelings or impressions they had during the meeting. What was meaningful to them? Is there something they can do personally or as a class to apply what they have learned?

  • Give the young women a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.

  • Remind the young women that they will have the opportunity to share their experiences at the beginning of the next meeting.

Related Youth Activities

Plan a Mutual activity that will help the young women apply what they learned in this lesson.