[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Our family had enjoyed
a fun-filled day on the ski slopes, which was
now coming to a frosty close. Arriving at the car, I reached
in my coat pocket for the keys, and then another
pocket and another. "Where are the keys?" Everyone was anxiously
waiting on the keys. The car battery was charged,
and all the systems, including the heater, were ready to go. But without the keys, locked
doors would deny entrance. Without the keys,
the engine would not provide power to the vehicle. Without keys, this wonderful
miracle of engineering was little more than
plastic and metal. Even though the car had great
potential, without keys, it could not perform
its intended function. The more I reflect
on this experience, the more profound this
analogy has become to me. And in particular,
my heart is filled with overwhelming gratitude
for the restoration of priesthood authority
and priesthood keys. Without this restoration,
we would be locked out from the vehicle necessary to
transport us to our journey home to Heavenly Parents. The performance
of every ordinance of salvation comprising
our covenant pathway back to the presence of
our Father in Heaven requires appropriate governance
through priesthood keys. Now, for you young
men and young women, I have considered three ways
that you can "find the keys," or use priesthood
keys and authority to bless your life and
the lives of others. Prepare for missionary
service, attend the temple, and go forward with faith. The Lord has shown
us that He will not leave us standing in the bitter
cold without keys or authority to lead us safely home to Him. I testify that priesthood
authority and priesthood keys start the engine,
open the gates of heaven, facilitate heavenly power, and
pave the covenant pathway back to our loving Heavenly Father. I pray that you, the
rising generation of young men and young
women, will press forward with a steadfastness in
Christ, that you may understand that it is your sacred
privilege to act under the direction of those
who hold priesthood keys. [MUSIC PLAYING]