What is the oath and covenant of the priesthood?

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

We receive the holy priesthood by an “oath and covenant.” This means that Heavenly Father gives us His oath that we can have the power and blessing of the priesthood if we covenant with Him to magnify our callings, be faithful in keeping the commandments, and live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Resources to Help You Prepare

These resources are to help you prepare for the “Learn together” section of the meeting.

• Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44 (Men gain eternal life through the oath and covenant of the priesthood)

• Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–40 (Why many are called and few are chosen)

• Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–46 (The priesthood should only be used in righteousness)

• Anthony D. Perkins, “Beware Concerning Yourselves,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 54–56

• Henry B. Eyring, “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 61–64

• “Preparing to Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood,” Fulfilling My Duty to God (2010), 84–87

• “Sanctify Yourselves” (video)

Questions to Ponder before You Teach

Think about times when you have magnified your calling as a priesthood holder. What blessings did you receive as you did so? What inspires you to magnify your calling?

What are some things that could be hindering the young men from keeping the covenant they made when they received the priesthood? When have you seen the young men magnify or use their priesthood?

What can the young men do to prepare to learn? For example, they could read a talk, watch a video, or study a scripture related to this doctrine.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

During His earthly ministry, the Savior invited His disciples to act in faith and live the truths He taught. In all His teaching, He focused on helping His followers live the gospel with all their hearts. Try to think of ways to help the young men understand and live by the oath and covenant of the priesthood with all their hearts.

Video: “Share Stories and Examples”

Meeting Outline

1. Counsel Together and Share Experiences

Led by a member of the quorum presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

• Our quorum: Who is missing today? What visits do we need to make? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity? Who needs our help and prayers?

• Our duties: What assignments do we need to make? What assignments have we fulfilled? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?

• Our lives: Remind the quorum of the discussion from the last meeting. What experiences have we had with applying what we learned? What experiences have we had in the past few weeks that strengthened our testimonies of the gospel?

If possible, discuss these items beforehand in a quorum presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the quorum; approximately 25–35 minutes

After studying the above resources and following the inspiration of the Spirit, you may select one or more of the activities below to help quorum members understand the doctrine.

• Write on the board The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. Beneath it write Man promises and God promises. Explain that there is a covenant that a man makes with God when he receives the priesthood. Ask quorum members to search Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44 and mark what those who receive the priesthood promise and what God promises in return. Ask them to write what they find on the board under the appropriate heading. Share personal experiences you have had that will help quorum members see the blessings that come when we magnify our priesthood.

• Show the video “Sanctify Yourselves” and ask the young men to share what they learn about the importance of faithfulness in magnifying the priesthood. With permission from the bishop, invite a few sisters (such as mothers of the young men) to visit the quorum meeting and share with the young men how faithful priesthood holders have influenced their lives and families.

• Give each young man a copy of President Henry B. Eyring’s talk “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood,” and invite the quorum to identify all the blessings President Eyring says priesthood holders receive as they magnify their callings in faith. Ask the quorum members to share what they find. Which blessing mentioned by President Eyring would they most want to receive, and why?

• Share with the young men the section titled “Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood” from Elder Anthony D. Perkins’s talk “Beware Concerning Yourselves.” Invite one of the young men to draw on the board the “celestial road” Elder Perkins describes. Then invite each young man to add to the road a caution sign warning of a spiritual danger that priesthood holders should avoid. What can we do as priesthood holders to avoid these dangers?

3. Plan to Act

Led by a member of the quorum presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

• Ask the young men to discuss any feelings or impressions they had during the meeting. What was meaningful to them? Is there something they can do personally or as a quorum to apply what they have learned?

• Give the young men a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.

• Remind the young men that they will have the opportunity to share their experiences at the beginning of the next meeting.