(Originally published on 2 June 2013.)
This is Scripture Roundtable 29 from The Interpreter Foundation, in which we discuss Doctrine & Covenants Gospel Doctrine Lesson #25, “Be Not Deceived, but Continue in Steadfastness,” focusing on D&C 84, 121, and 107, bringing in various insights to help us better understand the scriptures. These roundtables will generally follow the 2013 Gospel Doctrine schedule of scriptures, a few weeks ahead of time.
Some of the interesting discussion in this roundtable includes:
- Historical background to D&C section 121 via Ben McGuire about the letter from Joseph Smith from which it was taken.
- Thoughts on the Keys, Authority, and Power of the Priesthood.
- The development of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood organization and structure we now see in the Church.
Panelists for this roundtable include Ben McGuire, Andrew Smith, Daniel Peterson, and Mike Parker.
This roundtable is also available as an audio podcast, and will be included in the podcast feed. You can listen by pressing the play button or download the podcast below:
Podcast: Download ()
Thank you for the podcast. You gave me some interesting ideas to consider. Is there a transcript of the video?
Re: Erick
I am pleased you enjoyed the presentation and no, I do not want to be involved in a presentation – but thank you for the suggestion. You did however make my point rather well when you wrote about how much you enjoyed the information on the Aaronic Priesthood.
I could not make the connection between that and the title “Priesthood – the power of godliness.”
Great podcast. I really enjoyed it. I’m glad you went longer than usual. I think when it merits it, it’s ok to have it be longer. Thanks Mike for the link to the article. I have heard talk before about the Aaronic priesthood not being given to young men until the 20th century, but never found information about it before.
I’m not sure what David is complaining about. Maybe he wants to be invited to be on the podcast. (?) He sure has a lot of stuff he wants to share.
I enjoy these podcasts and watch them every week as part of my preparation to attend Gospel Doctrine. I like the tangents that take place as I’m always given new insights into the subject matter and new ways of understanding. I enjoy it when references are made to external sources – especially when information is provided to enable me to go to the source myself. Keep up the good work, and thank you.
Andrew
I was looking for some thoughts like the following. A lesson does not have to cover everything related to a topic but it should cover those things that would be most valuable to those in the class not the teacher.
I would think that a lesson on the “Priesthood: ‘The Power of Godliness’” would focus on the Oath and Covenant belonging to the Priesthood.
The following is an example of the kinds of thoughts that would be appropriate to discuss.
Why should we know, understand and fulfill our part of the Oath and Covenant belonging to the Priesthood?
* We are God’s apprentices
AJF
We are apprentices of Godhood.
Joseph Fielding Smith
There is nothing in this world as important to each of us as putting first in our lives the things of God’s kingdom. . . (CR, April 1970)
*An invitation to become as he is
Henry B. Eyring
. . . the Melchizedek Priesthood is more than a trust to do what the Lord would do. It is an invitation to become as He is. (Act in All Diligence, CR, April 2010)
*The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood is about the sharing of heavenly powers
Elder Carlos E. Asay
Of all the holy agreements pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ, few, if any, would transcend in importance the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is certainly one of the most sacred agreements, for it involves the sharing of heavenly powers and man’s upward reaching toward eternal goals.
None of us can afford to be ignorant of the terms of this contract. To do so might cause us to miss the mark in our performance of duty and result in the forfeiture of promised blessings. (The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, Ensign, Nov. 1985, 43)
*Priesthood – God’s power and authority – is the means whereby we save and exalt ourselves and others
Joseph Fielding Smith
“The blessings of the Lord are offered to the Saints and to the world through the ministrations of those who hold his holy priesthood. … Holding the priesthood is not a light or small thing. We are dealing with the Lord’s power and authority, which he has given to us by the opening of the heavens in this day so that every blessing might again be available to us”
We are the Lord’s agents; we represent him; he has given us authority which empowers us to do all that is necessary to save and exalt ourselves as well as his other children in the world. (“Blessings of the Priesthood,” Ensign, Dec. 1971, 98).
*Our Priesthood power is based on our purity
John A Groberg
Thus, we see that while the power of the priesthood is unlimited, our individual power in the priesthood is limited by our degree of righteousness or purity. (Ensign May 2001)
*To magnify our callings in the priesthood we serve others
Elder Carlos E. Asay
President Kimball defines priesthood, in part, as “the means whereby the Lord acts through men to save souls.” (Ensign, June 1975, p. 3.) This definition suggests action, not inaction. It implies that priesthood power is to be exercised in behalf of other people; it is not something to sit upon or to simply glory in. It suggests that priesthood callings are to be magnified. (The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, Ensign, Nov. 1985, 43)
David O McKay
Priesthood means service. (Pathways to Happiness, Bookcraft 1957, p. 231.)
J. Reuben Clark,
In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. (CR, April 1951)
Re Mike Parker
Thank you for your comment. I think the presentation could have been much better if they had talked about why we need it, what it is – in detail not just read it and how we can successfully keep that covenant. I am not to interested in a lot of filler.
David,
Thank you for watching/listening. I am sorry that you felt that most of the podcast was “filler.”
With limited time, and the personal thoughts of each individual added as per what they found interesting or important from their study of the particular lesson materials, there is no way that we could touch such an expansive topic as you suggest in a short roundtable. This is the same reason there is no way that a gospel doctrine class will ever cover or exhaust all that could be said on any given topic, let alone all of scripture.
You are, by all means, invited to post any additional thoughts or discussion you would like to this comments board. We would love to continue discussion of these interesting and/or vital topics. If something wasn’t covered to your liking, please rectify that by adding what you thought. We simply request that it be done in a civil and uplifting manner.
Additionally, if you were to write up those thoughts in a precise and well-thought out paper, I am sure the editorial board would gladly receive such as a submission, and, depending on the merits of the paper, would consider publishing it.
Thank you again; we appreciate your feedback.
Andrew
I’m sorry this Roundtable didn’t meet your needs, David.
If you watched 55 minutes, then you probably remember just after minute 23 where Dan read the oath and covenant of the priesthood, and I added some information from JST Genesis 14 that I thought expanded our understanding of what the oath is.
After watching the first agonizing 55 minutes I turned in off.
Unfortunately, they went on and on and on and generalized about stuff.
What about the oath and covenant of the Priesthood? I was very disappointed as they insisted on talking about anything but.
The article on the development of the Aaronic Priesthood that I mentioned early in the discussion is William G. Hartley, “From Men to Boys: LDS Aaronic Priesthood Offices, 1829–1996,” Journal of Mormon History 22/1 (Spring 1996), 78–134.
It’s fascinating and well worth reading. You can download it for free at this URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=mormonhistory