Moroni 2–3

Priesthood Authority

True priesthood authority from God is important in the Savior’s Church. In some of Moroni’s final words to future generations, he taught about the authority to perform priesthood ordinances. In doing so he preserved important truths about how the priesthood is used. This lesson can help you understand priesthood authority in the Savior’s Church.

Help students focus on Jesus Christ. Ponder how the scriptures teach principles that help us better understand the Savior. Invite students to look for what they can learn about the power, mercy, and influence of Jesus Christ from the gospel principles they discover in the scriptures.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to talk with a priesthood holder or someone who serves in a Church calling. Students could ask that individual how he or she feels about receiving the Savior’s authority to perform his or her responsibilities.

Possible Learning Activities

Before class, hide an item you will need during the lesson, such as chalk, markers, or your scriptures. Invite students to find the item, and ask why it is needed for the lesson.

Remind students that many plain and precious truths were lost during the Great Apostasy (see 1 Nephi 13:26–27, 32). Moroni’s writings teach important truths about the organization of the Savior’s Church that were lost during the Apostasy.

“Of worth”

Moroni was one of the final priesthood holders of his dispensation on the American continent. He knew that when he died, important knowledge about the Savior’s Church and His priesthood authority would be lost. In some of his final words, Moroni wrote what he felt might “be of worth” to future generations (Moroni 1:4). He wrote about priesthood authority and ordinances that are available only in the Savior’s Church.

When the resurrected Savior visited the Nephites, “he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen” and “gave them power to give the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 18:36–37). Moroni included in his record some of the Savior’s instructions to the twelve Nephite disciples about how to give the gift of the Holy Ghost.

To increase student collaboration, consider inviting students to work with a classmate or in small groups for the following activity. Students could study either Moroni 2 or 3 and then share what they learned with someone who studied the other chapter. The following information could be provided to guide students in their study.

Authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost

Read Moroni 2:1–3, looking for what Moroni taught that is of worth.

What did you find in these verses that you feel is of worth?
From what you already know, what priesthood authority is necessary to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost?
What truths can we learn from Moroni 2?

One truth is that Melchizedek Priesthood holders bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon baptized Church members by the laying on of hands.

Why do you think the conferral of the Holy Ghost is so important? (For an account that demonstrates this, you might read Acts 8:14–24.)
How can knowing that the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost comes from the Savior influence your feelings about this gift?
How has the gift of the Holy Ghost blessed your life?

Ordaining others to priesthood offices

Moroni next explained how to ordain priests and teachers.

Read Moroni 3:1–4, looking for how individuals are ordained to priesthood offices.

What did you notice about how individuals are ordained to priesthood offices?

Students could read and link Articles of Faith 1:5 to Moroni 3.

Although Moroni 3 specifically mentions ordination to the priesthood offices of priests and teachers, the authority also applies to all who hold callings in the Savior’s Church.

Why is it necessary for individuals who serve in the Savior’s Church to have His authority?

If possible, bring a priesthood line of authority to class.

Priesthood authority comes from Jesus Christ. While all who hold callings in the Church have priesthood authority, those who are ordained to either the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood offices have a priesthood line of authority. This line traces a priesthood holder’s authority to Jesus Christ. Melchizedek Priesthood holders may request a record of their line of authority on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. The Church does not provide records of lines of authority for Aaronic Priesthood holders. However, if an Aaronic Priesthood holder was ordained by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, he could learn about the line of authority of the man who ordained him.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Acting with divine authority requires more than mere social contract. It cannot be generated by theological training or a commission from the congregation. No, in the authorized work of God there has to be power greater than that already possessed by the people in the pews or in the streets or in the seminaries—a fact that many honest religious seekers had known and openly acknowledged for generations leading up to the Restoration. …

… [The priesthood line of authority of each priesthood holder in the Church] goes back in an unbroken chain to angelic ministers who came from the Son of God Himself, bearing this incomparable gift from heaven. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Our Most Distinguishing Feature,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 44)

Consider showing students a chain. Explain that the first link of the chain represents Jesus Christ and the second link, those He ordained to the priesthood. The third link represents those they ordained and so forth, on through the generations to priesthood holders today, represented by the last link of the chain.

Why is it significant that priesthood authority can be traced back to Jesus Christ?
How can knowing this connection to Jesus Christ influence how you feel about ordinances, callings, or blessings you receive through the priesthood?

Students could report on the preparation activity for class.

Students could also review Moroni 2 and 3, looking for similarities between the chapters, and report what they find.

Share what you have learned

If it would be helpful for students to demonstrate their understanding of what they studied in Moroni 2–3, consider discussing the following scenario.

Imagine you have a family member who is going to be baptized and confirmed, ordained to the priesthood, or set apart for a calling. What could you share with them from Moroni 2 or 3 to help them understand the significance of the event?

Commentary and Background Information

What does the priesthood do for us?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, stated:

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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We all know that the priesthood is much more than just a name or title. The Prophet Joseph taught that “the Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity … to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years” [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 104]. It holds “even the key of the knowledge of God” [Doctrine and Covenants 84:19]. In fact, through the priesthood the very “power of godliness is manifest” [Doctrine and Covenants 84:20].

The blessings of the priesthood transcend our ability to comprehend. Faithful Melchizedek Priesthood holders can “become … the elect of God” [Doctrine and Covenants 84:34]. They are “sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies” [Doctrine and Covenants 84:33] and can ultimately receive “all that [the] Father hath” [Doctrine and Covenants 84:38]. This may be hard to comprehend, but it is beautiful, and I testify that it is true. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Potential, Your Privilege,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 58)

Who can experience the blessings of the priesthood?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency has stated:

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President Dallin H. Oaks

Unlike priesthood keys and priesthood ordinations, the blessings of the priesthood are available to women and to men on the same terms. The gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the temple are familiar illustrations of this truth. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 52)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Priesthood offices

Before identifying the truth in Moroni 2, students could list offices of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods on the board and put a check mark by the ones that can confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ask students how we know that. Students could then use the index to find a verse that teaches this. If needed, direct them to some verses (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:38, 41, 43; 107:18).

Priesthood line of authority

Before class, prepare to bring a record of the priesthood line of authority of someone in your family or your ward or branch and share it with the class. Consider making a paper chain. On the first link write the name “Jesus Christ.” On the second link write “Disciples: including Peter, James, and John.” Continue writing the name of each priesthood holder from the line of authority on the chain. Help students see that the priesthood in the Church today is the same priesthood the Savior used to perform miracles and do His Father’s work.

Moroni 2–6. Priesthood ordinances

If you need to combine lessons, consider teaching Moroni 2–6, looking for priesthood ordinances. Invite students to think about what ordinances they have participated in and how the ordinances have helped them come closer to the Savior. They could then consider what ordinances they will experience in the future (the sacrament, temple ordinances, and so on) and how they can prepare to participate in them. Consider reviewing the section in Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 titled “Moroni 2–6: Priesthood ordinances must be administered as the Lord commands.”

Moroni 2–3. “Blessings of the Priesthood” video

As you teach from Moroni 2–3, consider showing “Blessings of the Priesthood” (3:04), in which Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains some ways the priesthood can bless our lives.