In the spring of 1835, members of the newly formed Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were about to leave on their first missions. This revelation from the Lord provided details to help them and others fulfill their priesthood responsibilities. This lesson can help students understand the importance of drawing upon the power of the Savior and His priesthood authority as they serve in His Church.
Possible Learning Activities
Appendages
Begin class by inviting a student to draw a tree with multiple branches on the board. Invite the class to identify which parts of the tree are appendages (the branches and leaves). Invite the student who drew the tree to disconnect one of the appendages by erasing where the branch connects to the trunk. Ask the class to discuss the following questions to prepare them to understand why we need to stay connected to the Savior and His priesthood:
What happens to an appendage when it is disconnected from the tree? Why?
Read John 15:5, looking for what the Savior taught that relates to this object lesson.
What did you learn?
Why is staying connected to the Savior necessary in our efforts to serve in His Church?
Provide time for students to reflect on their connection to Jesus Christ. Invite them to seek inspiration as they consider how this connection will not only bless them personally but also empower them to bless others through Church callings and ministering assignments.
Appendages to the priesthood
To help students understand the context of section 107, share the following information in your own words:
On March 28, 1835, members of the newly formed Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were preparing to serve missions to the eastern United States. Some Apostles were unsure about how to serve in their new callings. The Lord revealed Doctrine and Covenants 107 to instruct them about the priesthood and encourage them in their assignments.
What did you learn about the Melchizedek Priesthood?
Compare the name of the priesthood found in verse 3 with what President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Christ is the source of all true priesthood authority and power on earth. It is His work, in which we are privileged to assist. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Joy of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 59)
Why do you feel it is important to understand that all priesthood power comes directly from Jesus Christ?
Before reading the following verses, invite students to recall their discussion about appendages. Draw another tree on the board, and label it The Church of Jesus Christ. Then list the following on the board: Melchizedek Priesthood, Aaronic Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women, Sunday School, Primary.
Read with a partner Doctrine and Covenants 107:5, 13–14, looking for which of the words on the board you could compare to the trunk of the tree and which you could compare to the appendages.
Based on what you read, what could you compare to the trunk? What are the appendages?
As students answer the previous questions, consider labeling the trunk as The Melchizedek Priesthood and the appendages (or branches) as The Aaronic Priesthood and the Church organizations listed on the board.
Invite students to mark the truth in verse 5 that all authorities and offices in the Savior’s Church are appendages to the Melchizedek Priesthood.
What can we learn from the Lord’s comparison of the Aaronic Priesthood and Church organizations to “appendages” of His Melchizedek Priesthood?
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency shared the following about priesthood authority in Church callings:
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President Dallin H. Oaks
Ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used. …
… Since the scriptures state that “all other authorities [and] offices in the church are appendages to this [Melchizedek] priesthood” (D&C 107:5), all that is done under the direction of those priesthood keys is done with priesthood authority. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 50)
Remind students that Jesus Christ is the source of all priesthood power (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:3). Consider writing The Savior’s power next to The Melchizedek Priesthood on the trunk of the tree.
How might understanding that every calling in the Church is attached to the Savior’s power help you better serve those around you?
When have you felt the Savior’s power helping you in your Church service?
Experiencing priesthood power
Invite students to read the following passages and discuss the three questions below with a partner. You may want to display the questions for student reference.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 107:8, 18–20, looking for ways the Savior provides power through His priesthood to those who serve in the Church.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:8 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider inviting students to mark doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so they can locate them easily.
What are some “spiritual things” (verse 8) the Lord blesses us with through His Melchizedek Priesthood?
Help students understand that administering in “spiritual things” includes administering blessings, ordinances, and covenants.
How do the “outward ordinances” of the Aaronic priesthood (such as baptism and the sacrament) referred to in verse 20 help connect you to Jesus Christ?
When has someone else’s connection to the Savior as they served been a blessing in your life?
Consider sharing an example of someone who was blessed when others served in a way that connected them with the Savior’s power. One example is shown in the video “The Tender Mercies of the Lord” from time code 6:55 to 8:53, found at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. In this address, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a story of a priesthood leader who was guided by God in ministering to the youth in his stake.
Personal application
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, former Young Women General President, taught how priesthood authority can empower young women in their callings. Look for how her statement can apply to all youth as they serve.
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President Bonnie L. Oscarson
Young women of the Church need to see themselves as essential participants in the priesthood-directed work of salvation and not just as onlookers and supporters. You hold callings and are set apart by those holding priesthood keys to function as leaders with power and authority in this work. As you magnify your callings in class presidencies and prepare spiritually, counsel together, reach out to minister to your class members, and teach one another the gospel, you are taking your place in this work and both you and your peers will be blessed. (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Rise Up in Strength, Sisters of Zion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 14)
What impressed you from this statement? Why?
Invite students to answer the following question in their study journals. You might ask volunteers to share their answers.
What did you learn today about the importance of drawing on the power of the Savior and His priesthood authority as you serve in the Church?
Memorize
You may want to help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase during this lesson and review them in future lessons. The key scripture phrase is “The Melchizedek Priesthood … has power and authority … to administer in spiritual things.” Ideas for memorization activities are in the appendix materials under “Doctrinal Mastery Review Activities.”