Lesson 8

The Restoration of the Priesthood

Reading assignment: Doctrine and Covenants 13; 20:38–67; 27:12–13; 84:6–30; 107:1–20; 110:11–16; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–73; Our Heritage, pages 11–14.

Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord gave many revelations that add greatly to our understanding of the keys, offices, organization, ordinances, duties, and blessings of the priesthood.

• What are some ways in which priesthood holders act on behalf of God to bless His children? (See D&C 20:38–55; 107:8–12, 23, 35.)

• What authority and blessings were restored with the Aaronic Priesthood? (See D&C 13; 84:26–27; 107:20.) What authority and blessings were restored with the Melchizedek Priesthood? (See D&C 84:19–22; 107:8–12, 18–19; 110:11–16.)

• What are the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood? What are the duties of each office? (See D&C 20:38–59; 27:12–13; 42:43–44; 43:15–16; 84:111; 107:10–17, 23, 25, 33–35, 38–39, 58, 68, 71, 87–88, 93–97; 124:91–93, 124, 128.)

Scripture Chain: Governing the Church through Priesthood Keys

As you study the following passages, keep in mind that priesthood keys are the right to preside over and direct the Church within a jurisdiction, such as a stake, ward, or quorum. Under the direction of the President of the Church, who holds all of the keys restored to the earth in this dispensation, specific keys may be given to others to preside, such as a temple president, stake president, mission president, bishop, or elders quorum president. These keys are bestowed upon presiding priesthood leaders when they are set apart.

• Matthew 16:19

• D&C 78:15–16

• D&C 81:1–2

• D&C 84:19

• D&C 112:30–34