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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. Why is it important for you to sustain those who hold priesthood keys? What experiences have you had sustaining Church leaders that you can share with the young men?

What can you do to help the young men understand the significance of priesthood keys in the Church? How can you help the quorum president use his priesthood keys to bless the lives of quorum members?

What can the young men 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 quorum members 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 quorum presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

  • Our quorum: 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 duties: 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 quorum 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 quorum presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the quorum; 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 quorum members understand the doctrine.

  • Read together the historical account of the events that took place in the Kirtland Temple in Elder Quentin L. Cook’s message “Prepare to Meet God.” Invite each of the young men 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 men do as a quorum to participate in these sacred responsibilities?

  • In preparation for quorum meeting, invite the quorum president to review the video “The Priesthood, an Opportunity to Serve.” Ask him to share during quorum meeting what he learned about what it means to hold priesthood keys. He could do this as part of his Duty to God plan to learn and teach about the priesthood and priesthood keys (see “Understand Doctrine,” page 18, 42, or 66).

  • 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 men 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 men 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 quorum members to read each of the scriptures and write a one-sentence summary of what they learn about priesthood keys from the verses. Have each young man read one of his summaries aloud, and ask the other young men to identify which scripture he is summarizing. Ask the quorum members why it is important to them that the priesthood keys are on the earth today.

  • Show the video “Learn Your Duty.” What does Brother Gibson invite quorum presidencies to do? What does he invite quorum members and advisers to do? What will we do to act on his invitations? Consider inviting the quorum president to lead this discussion.

  • Invite each quorum member 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 his own words, what he learns about priesthood keys. Give the young men 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 quorum presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

  • Ask the young men 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 quorum to apply what they have learned?

  • Give the young men 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 men 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 men apply what they learned in this lesson.