A Revelation on Priesthood Doctrine & Covenants Section 84

Overview: Extending the Saints’ Understanding The Melchizedek priesthood holds the key of the knowledge of God—the key to knowing God (v. 19) Moses tried to bring his people to the knowledge of God but they resisted (vs. 22-25) There will be a temple built in which the power of the priesthood will be revealed (v. 32) Reception and magnification of the priesthood with a solemn oath and covenant leads one into the presence of God (vs. 33-38) The priesthood can only be fully received and made operable in temples, by couples (vs. 40-44)

D&C 84:31-32 Sons of Moses are to: Gather the Saints; gather Israel Establish and gather to Zion – a place of peace, joy, safety, refuge, a place of purity of the heart, a place where godhood can be taught in the temples, in the home, in our stakes and wards. Gather to temples so the Saints, so Israel can receive the highest ordinances that lead to godhood.

Comparison of the Old and New Laws New and Everlasting Covenants of the Fullness of the Gospel Melchizedek Priesthood Law of Moses Aaronic Priesthood Israel People are motivated by Love (justice and mercy) People motivated by fear, awe, respect, duty, reward, justice. Goes from terrestrial to celestial living Goes from telestial to terrestrial living Uses Christ as the Mediator Uses Moses and the Law as the Mediator The New and Everlasting Covenant (gospel) is the handbook of this mediation The Law of Moses is the handbook of this mediation Brings Israel unto Elohim, God, Father Brings Israel unto Jehovah, God, Son And to the Celestial Kingdom And to the Terrestrial Kingdom

The Modern Gathering of Israel What are the purposes of this gathering? 1) the spiritual gathering, which includes coming to know that Jesus is the Christ and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2) the assembling of Church members to Zion or organized stakes of Zion; and 3) the gathering of descendants of Jacob’s (Israel’s) twelve sons including the lost ten tribes to the lands of their inheritance. These gatherings are necessary because of ancient apostasies that resulted in the dispersion of Israel into all nations (Deut 4:27; 28:64; Jer. 16:13; Hosea 9:17) Encyclopedia of Mormonism p. 710

Priesthood Aaronic (23-28) Melchizedek (6-22) Lesser/Preparatory: faithfulness in magnifying the Aaronic priesthood prepares one to officiate in the ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood. “Keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.” (13: 1) Melchizedek (6-22) Greater Priesthood/Fullness “Administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the knowledge of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority and power of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (84:19-22)

Oath & Covenant D&C 84:32-48 Man covenants to: Be faithful; obtain the priesthood (84:33) Magnify it (84:33) Receive the Lord’s servants (84:36) Beware concerning himself (84:43) Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life (84:43) Live by every word of God (84:44) God swears an oath that he will: Sanctify and renew our bodies (33) Make us heirs to blessings of Moses, Aaron, Abraham (33-34) Give us membership in the Church and Kingdom of God (34) Count us among the elect (34) Send us His Son and even Himself (36-37) Give us everything He has (38)

Sanctification “To the degree that you are still attracted to sin, you are not sanctified.”