Keys, Covenants, and Easter
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Invite class members to share one word or short phrase they associate with Easter. After a few responses, explain that Elder Cook connected Easter not only to the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection but also to priesthood keys, covenants, and temple blessings. This can help the class see from the beginning that Easter points both to Christ’s redeeming power and to the ordinances that bind us to Him.
- Begin by writing three words on the board: "Keys," "Covenants," and "Easter." Ask the class how they think those three ideas fit together. After a brief discussion, explain that Elder Cook taught that the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection, the Restoration of priesthood keys, and temple sealing ordinances are all part of the Father’s plan of salvation.
- Read aloud Elder Cook’s promise that as we adhere to the Savior’s ordinances, covenants, and commandments, we grow closer to Him. Invite class members to listen during the lesson for what the talk taught about how temple ordinances and sealing keys deepen discipleship and gratitude for Jesus Christ.
- Show a picture of the Kirtland Temple, the Garden Tomb, or a temple sealing room. Ask class members what these places teach us about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Then explain that Elder Cook used both Easter events and Restoration history to testify of the Savior and the eternal importance of priesthood keys.
- Invite class members to think quietly about a family member, ancestor, or loved one who has influenced their faith. Then explain that Elder Cook taught that Elijah’s restored keys turn hearts across generations and make eternal family relationships possible through Jesus Christ. This can prepare the class for a more personal discussion.
Topics
Center Easter on Jesus Christ
Elder Cook taught that Easter focused on the eternity-shaping events of Gethsemane, Calvary, and the Garden Tomb. He testified that the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection accomplished the Father’s plan of salvation. He emphasized that Jesus Christ made it possible for all to overcome death and for the repentant to be freed from sin.
It is my witness that His Atonement accomplished His Father’s plan of salvation and provides the way for everyone who has ever lived to be free of death unconditionally and free of sin on condition of repentance.
- What stood out to you about the way Elder Cook described Easter?
- How has your appreciation for Gethsemane, Calvary, or the Resurrection grown over time?
- What does it mean to you personally that everyone will be freed from death because of Jesus Christ?
- How has repentance helped you feel the Savior’s power to free you from sin?
- What can we do to make Easter more centered on the Savior in our homes and hearts?
- How does understanding the Atonement and Resurrection affect the way you face sorrow, sin, or uncertainty?
Recognize the Kirtland Temple vision
Elder Cook taught that the Savior’s appearance to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple was central to the Restoration. He explained that this Easter Sunday vision, along with the keys committed there, was a pivotal event in the latter-day work. He connected that sacred manifestation directly to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
The appearance of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the keys committed by Moses, Elias, and Elijah are central to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days.
- Why do you think Elder Cook connected Easter with the vision in the Kirtland Temple?
- How does the Kirtland Temple vision strengthen your testimony of the Restoration?
- What does it teach you that the Savior personally appeared in that temple?
- How can remembering Restoration events increase our faith in Jesus Christ today?
- What blessings in your life have come because priesthood keys were restored?
- How might we help others see that Church history is really about the Savior’s ongoing work?
Understand Elijah’s mission and keys
Elder Cook explained that Elijah was a remarkable prophet who held sacred priesthood keys, including the sealing power. He taught that Elijah’s role had been anticipated in scripture and that his return was essential to the salvation of mankind. He showed that the Restoration clarified why Elijah mattered and what priesthood he would reveal.
Because of the Restoration, we understand the important and pivotal role Elijah has played in the salvation of mankind.
- What did Elder Cook help you understand more clearly about Elijah?
- Why do you think Elijah’s return was so important in the Lord’s plan?
- How does the Restoration help answer questions that people might have about Elijah’s mission?
- What do priesthood keys mean to you, and why are they important?
- How has learning about Elijah increased your appreciation for temple work?
- What can we do to teach rising generations why Elijah matters?
Value the sealing power in temples
Elder Cook taught that Elijah committed the sealing keys to Joseph Smith so sacred ordinances and covenants could be bound on earth and in heaven. He explained that these ordinances include vicarious temple work and the eternal sealing of husbands and wives, parents and children. He declared that without these keys, eternal families would not be possible.
Elijah committed to Joseph Smith the priesthood keys pertaining to the sealing power to bind sacred ordinances and covenants on earth and in heaven.
- What did Elder Cook teach about what the sealing power makes possible?
- Why are sealing ordinances so central to the plan of salvation?
- How has temple worship helped you feel more connected to your family and to the Lord?
- What difference does it make to know that family relationships can continue beyond death?
- How can we better honor the covenants we have made in the temple?
- What experiences have helped you feel gratitude for ordinances performed for the dead?
Turn hearts to fathers through temple work
Elder Cook emphasized Malachi’s prophecy that the hearts of the children would turn to their fathers. He taught that temple ordinances for deceased ancestors are a fulfillment of that prophecy. He showed that family history and temple work are part of God’s effort to unite His children across generations.
This relates directly to Malachi’s promises of turning the hearts of children to their deceased fathers.
- How have you seen hearts turn to fathers through family history or temple work?
- Why do you think the Lord wants us to feel connected to our ancestors?
- What spiritual experiences have you had while learning about or serving your family line?
- How can we help class members who feel overwhelmed take a simple next step in family history work?
- What blessings have come into your life as you have participated in temple work for the dead?
- How does this doctrine deepen your understanding of God’s love for all His children?
Share restored truth with love and courage
Elder Cook recounted experiences with Jewish leaders in temples and described Elder Holland’s emotional testimony that Elijah had come and restored sacred keys. These experiences showed that restored doctrine can be shared respectfully, powerfully, and with deep love. Elder Cook highlighted the spiritual significance of temple symbols and truths in interfaith settings.
Then, in a very spiritually powerful way, he explained that Elijah indeed had come and restored the sacred keys that allow the eternal sealing of husbands and wives and their families.
- What do you learn from Elder Cook’s account of sharing temple truths with people of other faiths?
- How can we speak about sacred things with both conviction and respect?
- Why is love such an important part of bearing testimony?
- When have you felt prompted to share truth in a gentle but clear way?
- How can we better explain temple blessings to those who do not understand them?
- What does this experience teach about the universal longing for family and connection?
Seek spiritual confirmation of sacred truths
Elder Cook taught that people do not need to visit Jerusalem physically to receive spiritual confirmation of the Savior’s life and mission. He promised that through study of the Savior, the Restoration, and Elijah’s returned keys, individuals could know by the Spirit that Christ accomplished the Father’s plan. He emphasized personal revelation as the way to gain this witness.
You can have that knowledge and confirmation by the Spirit when you study the life of our Savior, the restoration of the priesthood, and the return of the sealing keys by Elijah that unite our families for eternity.
- What did Elder Cook say we can know by the Spirit?
- How have scripture study and temple worship brought you spiritual confirmation?
- Why is personal revelation essential in gaining a testimony of the Savior and the Restoration?
- What practices help you feel the Spirit when you study sacred things?
- How can we help class members seek their own witness rather than relying only on others’ testimonies?
- When have you felt the Spirit confirm truth to you in a quiet but unmistakable way?
Grow closer through ordinances and covenants
Elder Cook promised that as people adhered to the Savior’s ordinances, covenants, and commandments, they would grow closer to Him. He taught that covenant living increases appreciation and gratitude for the restored sealing keys. His message tied discipleship directly to both personal holiness and temple faithfulness.
I promise to you on this Easter Day that as you adhere to His ordinances, covenants, and commandments, you will grow closer in your relationship with our Savior as well as your appreciation and gratitude for the sealing keys that have been restored in this dispensation.
- How have ordinances and covenants helped you grow closer to the Savior?
- What does it look like in daily life to adhere to covenants and commandments?
- Why do you think covenant keeping deepens gratitude for Jesus Christ?
- What small change could help you honor your covenants more fully?
- How can we support one another in living as covenant disciples?
- What blessings have you seen come from steady obedience rather than occasional effort?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How did Elder Cook connect Easter, the Restoration, and temple worship into one unified message?
- What part of this talk most strengthened your testimony of Jesus Christ?
- How does the doctrine of eternal families change the way we view everyday family relationships?
- What can we do to make temple and family history work a more regular part of our discipleship?
- Why is it significant that ancient prophets committed keys in this dispensation?
- How can the Savior’s Resurrection give us hope in times of grief or loss?
- What does this talk teach about the relationship between priesthood keys and personal salvation?
- How can we help youth and young adults understand the beauty of sealing ordinances?
- In what ways can gratitude for the Savior lead us to greater covenant faithfulness?
- What invitation from Elder Cook do you feel impressed to act on this week?
