Lesson from Sunday, June 7th
Given by Trisha Robinson
Priesthood and the
Priesthood Keys:
How do women and priesthood holders work
together to build up the Kingdom of God
Priesthood:
President
Joseph F. Smith described the priesthood as “the power of God delegated to
man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family.” Other leaders have taught us
that the priesthood “is the consummate power on this earth. It is the power by
which the earth was created.” The scriptures teach that “this
same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world
also” Thus, the priesthood is the power by which we will be resurrected and
proceed to eternal life.
General
Conference 2014-The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood
*D&C
121 36-42 (how priesthood power is achieved)
Priesthood Keys:
“Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to
priesthood [holders] to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood
on earth.” Every act or ordinance performed in the Church is done under the
direct or indirect authorization of one holding the keys for that function. As
Elder M. Russell Ballard has explained, “Those who have priesthood keys …
literally make it possible for all who serve faithfully under their direction
to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”
General
Conference 2014-The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood
How does this apply to Women?
“While
the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon
them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A
person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain
things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our
salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They
have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred
unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are
given by the men who hold the Priesthood.”
What
are some other ways that Women in the church have been given authority to do?
*
Young Womens, Primary, Teachers…
“You can speak with authority, because the
Lord has placed authority upon you, the Relief Society has been given power and
authority to do a great many things. The work which they do is done by divine
authority.”
“[The Lord] has given to them this great
organization where they have authority to serve under the directions of the
bishops of the wards … , looking after the interest of our people both
spiritually and temporally.”
Thus,
it is truly said that Relief Society is not just a class for women but
something they belong to—a divinely established appendage to the priesthood.
In the April 2011 Conference, Quintin L. Cook gave a talk,
titled LDS Women are Incredible. In it he stated:
“Much
of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women.
Whether in the Church or in the home, it is a beautiful thing to see the
priesthood and the Relief Society work in perfect harmony. Such a relationship
is like a well-tuned orchestra, and the resulting symphony inspires all of us.”
He then goes on to say, “ Sisters have key roles in the Church, in family life,
and as individuals that are essential in Heavenly Father’s plan.”
Thank you Trisha for this great lesson and for teaching with the spirit!
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