Oct 11 2016 Doctrine & Covenants Class 6 by Rebekah Ellsworth

 Notes on “Restoration of the Priesthood

Clearly, acting with divine authority requires more than mere social contract. It cannot be generated by theological training or a commission from the congregation. No, in the authorized work of God there has to be power greater than that already possessed by the people in the pews or in the streets or in the seminaries—a fact that many honest religious seekers had known and openly acknowledged for generations leading up to the Restoration.”  – Jeffrey R. Holland, “Our Most Distinguishing Feature,” Ensign, May 2005

President Joseph F. Smith defined 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, … by which [men] may speak the will of God as if the angels were here to speak it themselves; by which men are empowered to bind on earth and it shall be bound in heaven, and to loose on earth and it shall be loosed in heaven.” President Smith added, “[The priesthood] is sacred, and it must be held sacred by the people.”  – President Thomas S. Monson, Priesthood-A Sacred Gift

“As pertaining to eternity, priesthood is the eternal power and authority of Deity by which all things exist; by which they are created, governed, and controlled; by which the universe and worlds without number have come rolling into existence; by which the great plan of creation, redemption, and exaltation operates throughout immensity. It is the power of God.

“As pertaining to man’s existence on this earth, priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things for the salvation of men. It is the power by which the gospel is preached; by which the ordinances of salvation are performed so that they will be binding on earth and in heaven; by which men are sealed up unto eternal life…and by which in due course the Lord will govern the nations of the earth and all that pertains to them.”  – Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 594

“…the priesthood of God, with its keys, its ordinances, its divine origin and ability to bind in heaven what is bound on earth, is as indispensable to the true Church of God as it is unique to it and that without it there would be no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”  – Jeffrey R. Holland, “Our Most Distinguishing Feature,” Ensign, May 2005

Scriptural Pearls

D&C 13:1 – Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood
D&C 84:33-39 – Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
D&C 84:57 – Remember the Book of Mormon
D&C 84:85 – Treasure up the words of life
D&C 84:88 – Right hand, left, and angels round about

 Ponder

How does the Priesthood relate to the Atonement?