Study Guide for "The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys"

In this talk, President Dallin H. Oaks discusses the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys of the priesthood. He explains the nature of the priesthood, its function both in the Church and in the family, and the role of priesthood keys in the exercise of priesthood authority. He also emphasizes the importance of fathers magnifying their priesthood in their families and encourages us to seek understanding of eternal truths.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is the Melchizedek Priesthood and how does it function in the Church and in the family?
What are priesthood keys and how do they relate to the exercise of priesthood authority?
How can fathers magnify their priesthood in their families?
What is the role of women in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into their families?
How can we seek and understand eternal truths?

Topics

Understanding the Nature and Function of the Melchizedek Priesthood

President Oaks explains that the Melchizedek Priesthood is a divine power and authority held in trust to be used for God’s work for the benefit of all His children. It is not the men who hold the priesthood, but they are the holders of it. This priesthood exists in both the Church and the family, functioning differently in each according to the Lord's principles. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency and has power and authority over all the offices in the church.

The priesthood is a divine power and authority held in trust to be used for God’s work for the benefit of all of His children.

The power of the priesthood exists both in the Church and in the family organization.

The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world.

What is the Melchizedek Priesthood and what is its purpose?
How does the priesthood function in the Church and in the family?
What authority does the Melchizedek Priesthood hold over the Church?
How can you better appreciate and respect the power and authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood?
How can you support the priesthood holders in your life in their sacred responsibilities?
How can you contribute to the work of God through your own roles and responsibilities in the Church and in the family?

Recognizing the Role of Priesthood Keys in Exercising Authority

President Oaks explains that priesthood keys are necessary for the exercise of priesthood authority in the Church. These keys were restored by Peter, James, and John and later by prophets like Moses, Elias, and Elijah. Priesthood ordinances are performed under the authorization of the priesthood leader who holds the keys for that ordinance.

In the Church the authority of the greater priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood is exercised under the direction of a priesthood leader, like a bishop or president, who holds the keys of that priesthood.

The most familiar example of the function of keys is in the performance of priesthood ordinances.

What are priesthood keys and why are they important?
How are priesthood keys used in the performance of priesthood ordinances?
Who restored the priesthood keys and when did this restoration occur?
How can you better understand and respect the role of priesthood keys in the Church?
How can you support your priesthood leaders who hold these keys?
How do the priesthood ordinances you have received impact your life?

Magnifying the Priesthood in the Family

President Oaks emphasizes the importance of fathers magnifying their priesthood in their families. He explains that a father presides and exercises the priesthood in his family by the authority of the priesthood he holds, without needing the direction or approval of one holding priesthood keys. He encourages fathers to exercise their authority with persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned.

If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do.

Fathers who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should exercise their authority by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.

What does it mean for a father to magnify his priesthood in his family?
How does a father exercise the priesthood in his family?
What qualities should a father demonstrate in exercising his priesthood authority?
If you are a father, how can you magnify your priesthood in your family?
How can you cultivate the qualities of persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned in your interactions with your family?
How can you support the fathers in your life in their priesthood responsibilities?

The Role of Women in Bringing the Power and Blessings of the Priesthood into the Family

President Oaks discusses the role of women in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into their families. He explains that a mother presides in her home and can perform all the functions of family leadership, bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into her family through her endowment and sealing in the temple.

The same principle applies when a father is absent and a mother is the family leader. She presides in her home and is instrumental in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into her family through her endowment and sealing in the temple.

What is the role of a mother in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into her family?
How does a mother exercise leadership in her family?
How does a woman's endowment and sealing in the temple relate to the priesthood?
If you are a mother, how can you bring the power and blessings of the priesthood into your family?
How can you exercise leadership in your family in a way that brings blessings to your children?
How does your endowment and sealing in the temple impact your role in the family?

Seeking and Understanding Eternal Truths

President Oaks encourages us to seek and understand eternal truths. He explains that the light or darkness in our bodies depends on how we see—or receive—the eternal truths we are taught. He warns against false prophets and teaches us to look to the fruits of principles that are taught and the persons who teach them.

We should follow the Savior’s invitation to seek and ask to understand the truths of eternity. He promises that our Father in Heaven is willing to teach everyone the truths they seek.

We should look to the results—"the fruits"—of principles that are taught and the persons who teach them.

Why is it important to seek and understand eternal truths?
What does it mean to have our eye single to receive eternal truths?
How can we discern between true and false teachings?
How can you seek and understand eternal truths in your personal study and prayer?
How can you cultivate an eye single to receiving eternal truths?
How can you apply the principle of looking to the fruits in discerning between true and false teachings in your life?