The Priesthood Covenant: Being Heirs with Abraham (Chapter 9 Lesson Primary Old Testament)

Both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods are received by covenant.5 God determines the terms and man accepts. Broadly speaking, priesthood holders covenant to help God in His work....

This teaches that the purpose of the priesthood is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. We have the priesthood so that we can help Heavenly Father’s children be relieved of the burden of sin and become like Him. Through the priesthood, the power of godliness is manifest in the lives of all who make and keep gospel covenants and receive the associated ordinances....

An Aaronic Priesthood holder covenants to avoid evil, help others be reconciled to God, and prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.9 These sacred responsibilities are fulfilled as he teaches, baptizes, strengthens Church members, and invites others to accept the gospel. These are his “rocket” functions. In return, God promises hope, forgiveness, the ministering of angels, and the keys of the gospel of repentance and baptism.10

A Melchizedek Priesthood holder covenants to fulfill the responsibilities associated with the Aaronic Priesthood and to magnify his calling in the Melchizedek Priesthood.11 He does so by keeping the commandments associated with the covenant. These commandments include giving “diligent heed to the words of eternal life” by living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,12bearing testimony of Jesus Christ and His latter-day work,13 not boasting of himself,14 and becoming the Savior’s friend, trusting Him as a friend would.15

In return, God promises that a Melchizedek Priesthood holder will receive keys to understand the mysteries of God. He will become perfect so that he can stand in the presence of God. He will be able to fulfill his role in the work of salvation. Jesus Christ will prepare the way before the priesthood holder and will be with him. The Holy Ghost will be in the priesthood holder’s heart, and angels will bear him up. His body will be strengthened and renewed. He will become heir to the blessings of Abraham and, along with his wife, joint-heir with Jesus Christ to Heavenly Father’s kingdom.16 These are “exceeding great and precious promises.”17 No greater promises can be imagined.

Dale G. Renlund, "The Priesthood and the Savior's Atoning Power," Ensign Nov 2017, 64.

Scripture Stories for Bedtime

To reinforce the principles our children were reading and learning in scripture study, I often used scripture stories as bedtime stories. In later years my daughter shared how influential this was. She said, “I think stories that were told over and over again became favorites for us. You sat beside our beds and shared the stories from the scriptures. We loved them and asked to hear them again and again because even at that young age we could feel the spirit of the message they carried and knew the people you were telling us about were valiant and faithful. We wanted to be like them.”

Clyde J. Williams, "Helping Children Love The Book of Mormon," Ensign Jan 2012, 10. 

The Blessings of Visiting Teaching

The Blessings of Visiting Teaching

Photograph of Sister Thompson © Busath.com

“Many women have reported that the reason they came back into Church activity was because a faithful visiting teacher came month after month and ministered to them, rescuing them, loving them, blessing them. …

“At times the most important blessing about your visit will be to just listen. Listening brings comfort, understanding, and healing. Still another time you may need to roll up your sleeves and go to work in the home or help to calm a crying child.”

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, “And of Some Have Compassion, Making a Difference,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2010, 120.

Small Acts of Service

 “Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person’s family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief telephone call,” taught President Thomas S. Monson. “If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings which come to us, we can accomplish much good. … Countless are the acts of service provided by the vast army of Relief Society visiting teachers.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Liahona andEnsign, Nov. 2007, 120–21.

People Rather than Percentages

“Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages,” explains Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president. “In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship.”

Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society: A Sacred Work,” Liahona andEnsign, Nov. 2009, 114.

Scouting

“It is time we received the training … to help us become better priesthood and Young Men leaders and [it is time we] recognized that Scouting is a vital part of the Aaronic Priesthood activity program and can help greatly to build better-prepared missionaries, better husbands and fathers, [and] help prepare our young men to receive the ordinances of the temple, and help reactivate those who have drifted."

Charles W. Dahlquist II, “Strengthening and Vitalizing Aaronic Priesthood Quorums,” address given at Young Men open house, Sept. 2004.

Fear, Despair, and Pride

Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear

By Leah Welker

The author lives in Maryland, USA.

Ensign Feb 2018

Instead of reacting in fear, despair, or pride, we can choose to cultivate the feelings God would give to us: faith, hope, and charity. Each of these divine qualities can be answers to the problems of fear, despair, and pride: faith casts out fear, hope dispels despair, and charity—the pure love of Christ—leaves no room for pride....

How often do we feel this pride, a disregard for whole nations, religions, or cultures we think are unworthy or unredeemable? How often, in our fear, are we tempted to do nothing to help other children of God?...

No matter what is occurring in the world, we can be assured that faith, hope, and charity will cast out all fear, despair, and pride that threaten to ruin our peace. Those divine qualities will kindle our souls with a light that is unquenchable by any earthly power....

We can make a difference in the world as we resist the temptations to hide, hate, or despair. Let us reach out to the suffering and be valiant lamps reflecting the Light of the World.

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