Chapter 15: The Holy Priesthood “I love the priesthood of this Church. It is a vital, living thing. It is the very heart and strength of this work. It is the power and authority by which God, our Eternal Father, accomplishes His work in the earth.”

From the Life of Gordon B. Hinckley President Hinckley frequently testified of the blessings of the priesthood, from miraculous but temporary blessings of physical healing to eternal, binding blessings through temple ordinances. He declared, “I believe that in His priesthood rests divine authority—the power to bless, the power to heal, the power to govern in the earthly affairs of God, the power to bind in the heavens that which is bound upon the earth.”2

“With [the priesthood], nothing is impossible in carrying forward the work of the kingdom of God.”

God has restored the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Priesthood power and authority [were] given to men anciently. The lesser authority was given to the sons of Aaron to administer in things temporal as well as in some sacred ecclesiastical ordinances. The higher priesthood was given by the Lord Himself to His Apostles, in accordance with His declaration to Peter: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). What experiences have helped you gain a testimony of these truths?

The priesthood is the power and authority by which God accomplishes His work. The holy priesthood carries with it the authority to govern in the affairs of the kingdom of God on the earth. Under the revelations of the Lord, the Church is to be presided over by three presiding high priests. They are to be assisted by a council of Twelve Apostles, who in turn are to be assisted by … the Seventy. A Presiding Bishopric of three are responsible for temporal affairs under the direction of the Presidency. All of these are priesthood officers. That power divinely given is the authority by which they govern. It is so in the stakes and the wards with presidencies and bishoprics. It is so in the quorums. The auxiliary officers carry forth their work under direction and delegation from the priesthood. Without the priesthood there might be the form of a church, but not the true substance. This is the church of Jesus Christ, and it is governed by that authority which is “after the Order of the Son of God.” (D&C 107:3.)6 How does priesthood authority strengthen your service in God’s kingdom?

The blessings of the priesthood are to be enjoyed by all. The priesthood … is a part of the plan of God our Eternal Father to bless the lives of His sons and daughters of all generations.7 The holy priesthood includes the power to bless. For those of the Aaronic Priesthood, it carries with it the authority to administer to the congregation the emblems of the flesh and blood of the Lord, who gave His life as a sacrifice for all. The sacrament and the partaking of these emblems is the very heart of our sabbath worship. It includes a renewal of covenants with God. It carries with it a promise of His Holy Spirit to be with us. It is a blessing without peer to be enjoyed by all and made possible by the authority given to worthy young men. (D&C 121:46.) In what ways have you experienced the power and blessings of the priesthood?

Sons of God who hold His divine authority must be true to the very best that is in them. Every worthy man, regardless of nationality, ethnic background, or any other factor, is eligible to receive the priesthood. His obedience to the commandments of God becomes the determining factor. Its bestowal is based only on worthiness before the Lord. … (D&C 121:41–42). What do you think it means for a priesthood holder to “be true to the very best that is in him”? Why must priesthood holders “not live only unto themselves”?

A priesthood quorum can be an anchor of strength for its members. Church leaders and members—both men and women—work together to “carry forth their work under direction and delegation from the priesthood.” What impresses you about President Hinckley’s descriptions of priesthood quorums and Relief Society? What can we do in our ward or branch to follow his counsel?

In homes and in the Church, men and women work together to move the Lord’s kingdom forward. The men hold the priesthood, yes. But my wife is my companion. In this Church the man neither walks ahead of his wife nor behind his wife but at her side. They are co-equals in this life in a great enterprise.19 There is strength and great capacity in the women of this Church. There is leadership and direction, a certain spirit of independence, and yet great satisfaction in being a part of this, the Lord’s kingdom, and of working hand in hand with [holders of] the priesthood to move it forward.20 Why do men and women need to work together as “co-equals” to accomplish the Lord’s work?