Friend Connection

Understanding the Priesthood

Use the Friend magazine to help your family understand a different sensitive topic each month.

Our loving Heavenly Father has organized His Church so that every woman, man, girl, and boy can have access to His blessings through the priesthood. It is also helpful to understand that although boys and men who hold the priesthood pass the sacrament and perform other priesthood duties, they are not the only ones who use priesthood authority. Whenever an individual—woman or man—is set apart to perform a calling in the Church by one who holds priesthood keys, that individual is given authority to fulfill the calling. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, explained, “We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be?” (“The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 2014, 51).

Use this month’s Friend to help teach your children about the priesthood.

“The Priesthood and Me” (page 32)

When Jordan wonders why only boys get the priesthood, her parents help her understand that there’s more to the priesthood than she realized.

“With Priesthood Power” (page 11)

A beautiful new song teaches that the same power that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ used to create the earth can also bless each of us today.

“What’s on Your Mind?” (page 34)

This activity helps children of both genders understand how they can help in the work of the priesthood.

Talk about It

• Discuss ways the priesthood blesses each of us, regardless of gender.

• President Oaks taught, ”Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties” (“The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” 51). List women and men you know who serve in callings using priesthood authority.

• To avoid confusion, be sure to use the word priesthood to refer to priesthood power, not to those who hold it.

Related Resources

• Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion,” Ensign, Nov. 2016, 12–15.

• Gary E. Stevenson, “Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?” Ensign, May 2016, 29–32.

Find stories, activities, and media about other gospel topics at lessonhelps.lds.org. For past Friend Connection articles, visit FriendConnection.lds.org.