Christ surrounded by light as He is transfigured. Moses and Elias stand with Him. The three figures are standing behind a tree, and large colorful clouds are visible in the background. Peter, James and John sit on rocks in the foreground as they watch.
While the Savior was with His disciples at Caesarea Philippi, He promised to give Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19). Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain, where He “was transfigured before them” (Matthew 17:2) in the presence of Moses and Elias (Elijah). Latter-day prophets have taught that Peter, James, and John received the promised priesthood keys during Jesus’s Transfiguration. This lesson can help you understand the meaning of priesthood keys and their importance in God’s plan of salvation.
“Where are the keys?”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about the importance of keys. Watch the video “Where Are the Keys?” from time code 0:00 to 1:01, or read the following statement.
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Official portrait of Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2015.
As the winter afternoon sun slid behind the expansive snow-covered ski hill, the freezing mountain air sharply bit our cheeks and noses, acting almost like a stern usher instructing us to find our cars and trucks in the ski resort parking lot. There in our comfortable cars, heaters would soon warm cold fingers and toes. The sound of the frozen snow crunching with each step we took confirmed that this was extreme cold.
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.
How does this experience illustrate the importance of keys?
Think of any keys you use in your life. Why are they important? What would happen if they were lost?
Priesthood keys
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Peter in the Chapel in Copenhagen
This is a statue of the Apostle Peter sculpted by Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844). Notice what Peter is holding in his hand. These keys are symbolic of the power and authority the Savior promised Peter.
Matthew 16:15–19 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily.
Read Matthew 16:18–19, looking for the answers to the following questions:
What did the Savior promise to give Peter?
What would Peter have the power to do?
What do these verses teach you about the Savior and how He governs His Church?
One truth we can identify from Matthew 16:18–19 is that Jesus Christ entrusts the keys of His kingdom to prophets and apostles to direct His work on earth. Though the Savior had previously given the Apostles His priesthood authority (see Matthew 10:1–8), “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19) are His priesthood keys.
How would you explain the difference between priesthood and priesthood keys? How do you think the Savior has blessed or is blessing you through priesthood keys?
The following information may help you better understand priesthood and priesthood keys:
The priesthood is “the authority and power that God gives to man to act in all things for the salvation of man.”
(Guide to the Scriptures, “ Priesthood,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
Among other things, the priesthood allows us to receive the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ through saving ordinances such as baptism, confirmation and receipt of the gift of the Holy Ghost, the sacrament, and being endowed and sealed in the temple.
Priesthood keys are the authority to direct the use of the priesthood on behalf of God’s children. The use of all priesthood authority in the Church is directed by those who hold priesthood keys. …
Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood. Under His direction, priesthood keys are given to men to use in specific callings for accomplishing God’s work.
(General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3.4.1, 3.4.1.1).
The Mount of Transfiguration and the Kirtland Temple
Six days after promising Peter priesthood keys, Jesus invited Peter, James, and John to join Him for a miraculous experience on what would later become known as the Mount of Transfiguration. Interestingly, in 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had a similar experience in the Kirtland Temple.
On a piece of paper or in your study journal, draw a line to divide the page in half. Draw a mountain on the left side of the page and a temple on the right side. Write “Matthew 17:1–7” at the top of your mountain and “Doctrine and Covenants 110:1–2, 11–16” over your temple. Read the scripture accounts, and list the names of people who were present or whose voice was heard during each event. Below these names, write a one- or two-sentence summary of what happened in each account.
What did you learn from studying these accounts?
It may be helpful to know that the Bible Dictionary states that while “on the mount, the Savior, Moses, and Elias (Elijah) gave the promised keys of the priesthood to Peter, James, and John [History of the Church 3:387], which enabled these brethren to carry forth the work of the kingdom on the earth after the departure of Jesus. These keys were later given to all of the Twelve” (Bible Dictionary, “Transfiguration, Mount of”).
Elder Stevenson explained the importance of priesthood keys. Continue watching the video “Where Are the Keys?” from time code 1:01 to 2:51, or read the following statement:
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Official portrait of Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2015.
The more I reflect on this experience, the more profound this analogy has become to me. I marvel at Heavenly Father’s love for His children. I stand in wonder at the heavenly visitation and the grand visions of eternity God bestowed upon Joseph Smith. 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 on our journey home to loving 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.
Evaluate how you feel about the Savior restoring priesthood keys and how these keys affect your life. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to understand their importance. The following questions may help.
1. In your study journal, answer the following questions:
Why are you grateful for the Lord’s priesthood keys on the earth?
If someone who was unfamiliar with priesthood keys were to ask you why they are important, how would you respond?
What divine sources could help this person learn more about the importance of priesthood keys?
Optional: Want to Learn More?
What does the word transfiguration mean?
The Guide to the Scriptures defines transfiguration as “the condition of persons who are temporarily changed in appearance and nature—that is, lifted to a higher spiritual level—so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings” (“Transfiguration,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Where can I learn more about the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ?
Review chapter 23 of Jesus the Christ, by James E. Talmage, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Matthew 16:19. What power did Jesus Christ promise Peter?
President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:
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Final official portrait of Elder Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2000. Passed away 3 July 2015.
Peter was to hold the sealing power, that authority which carries the power to bind or seal on earth or to loose on earth and it would be so in the heavens. Those keys belong to the President of the Church—to the prophet, seer, and revelator. That sacred sealing power is with the Church now. Nothing is regarded with more sacred contemplation by those who know the significance of this authority. Nothing is more closely held. There are relatively few men who have been delegated this sealing power upon the earth at any given time—in each temple are brethren who have been given the sealing power. No one can get it except from the prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(Boyd K. Packer, “The Holy Temple,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2010, 34)
Who was the “Elias” who appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple?
Little is known about the prophet named Elias who “committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham” to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (Doctrine and Covenants 110:12). The name Elias has been used in the scriptures as an important title given to individuals with specific missions.