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ICEBREAKER
There is a common theme that these three sections share, with one particular verse standing out to me as the focal point—as the chief principle of these sections. To introduce that theme, I like to talk about cars. We all know that a vehicle is a complicated piece of machinery with many moving parts. So for an icebreaker, I like to put up a few pictures of various auto parts and see if anyone can name what the part is and what it does. So here we go. We’ll start out easy.
What’s this?
· Engine.
o This is the powerhouse of the vehicle. This is the heart of the vehicle that produces the force that makes the car run.
· Transmission.
o This is where you’ll find all the gears that give the right amount of power to the wheels at any given speed.
· Air filter.
o The tiny explosions that cause the engine to turn are produced by a mixture of air and gas. That air has to be clean, so the air filter keeps dust and debris from getting into the engine.
· Brakes and Rotors.
o These are the parts that stop your vehicle when you step on the brake pedal. Very important.
· Spark plug.
o This tiny little part is the device that ignites the fuel in the engine, which causes the pistons to fire, which makes the vehicle move.
All right, let’s get a little harder here. What is this part?
· Air conditioner. Or the air compressor which runs the air conditioner.
o Of course, this keeps your car’s interior cool.
· Head Gasket.
o This is the piece that seals two critical pieces of the engine together and prevents oil and coolant from leaking into the pistons.
· Flux Capacitor.
o This one is just a joke. This is the flux capacitor from Back to the Future. This is the part that makes time travel possible. So, if you’d like to go backwards or forwards in time, you’ve just got to get one of these.
Anyway. The point of this little exercise is to show you how many different parts it takes to make a vehicle run. Every part has a significant function to perform. If any of those parts are broken or worn out or not working properly, it will have a significant effect on the driving experience OR it can keep the vehicle from moving at all. A flat tire, a clogged air filter, a defective spark plug—each is going to have a profound effect on the ability of that car to do what it was designed to do.
TRANSITION
Well, to me, a ward or branch in the church is like a vehicle. There are lots of moving—many different callings and responsibilities to be performed. If any of those callings or responsibilities are neglected or missing, it will have a significant effect on the ability of that ward to function as it was designed by Christ to do.
So, I have a challenge for you. I want you to find the verse on page 221 of the Doctrine and Covenants that teaches this principle. There is a verse on that page that in my mind captures the message of the entire block of scripture for the week. Another hint: This was also one of President Monson’s favorite verses of scripture. I mean, I think I heard him quote it like every other general conference. What is that verse?
Answer: It’s verse 99.
99 Wherefore, now let every man (and we would include women here as well) learn [their] duty, and to act in the office in which [they are] appointed, in all diligence.
This week, the scriptures are going to teach us about fulfilling our duties, our responsibilities, our callings. Everyone has a part to play in building Zion and preparing their wards and families to return to the presence of God. We have duties associated with specific callings in the Church. We have general duties as members of Christ’s Church. We have duties as priesthood bearers, duties as wives and husbands and parents. This week our aim is to reflect on how we’re doing at learning our duties and acting on them in all diligence.
So let’s start with a small section first, 106.
106 HIGH AND HOLY CALLINGS
BACKGROUND
Section 106 was directed to Warren A. Cowdery. Oliver Cowdery’s older brother. Here, he’s called to preside over a branch of members in the city of Freedom, Ohio. This is an example, then, of a member “learning their duty” before God. The phrase that I would introduce this section with is verse 3. The Lord informs Warren Cowdery that he is receiving a “high and holy calling”. Section 106, then, is going to teach us truths regarding high and holy callings. And before we go any further, let’s take a moment to liken the scriptures to ourselves. Can we relate? Have you been given any high and holy callings?
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
Let’s see if we can name some. The answers your students might give to that question are going to depend on your audience.
But here are some possible answers.
If we’ve been baptized, we’ve all been called to stand as witnesses of Christ at all times, in all things, and all places.
We’ve been called to prepare ourselves and others for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
If you have a church calling, whatever it may be, is a high and holy callings. To serve in Christ’s church in any capacity is to build Zion and move the Kingdom of God forward.
We are called to minister to and serve our fellowman.
The youth have recently been called by President Nelson to join the Lord’s Youth battalion and partake in one of the highest and holiest callings we all have as latter-day saints. The gathering of Israel. So, we’re all called to preach the gospel, redeem the dead, and perfect the saints.
Husbands and wives are called to support and love and help each other.
Parents are called to raise their children in righteousness/
Priesthood bearers are called to honor the oath and covenant of the priesthood.
We are called to keep our baptismal and temple covenants.
These are just a few examples of some of the high and holy callings we might have. We are just like Warren Cowdery here. So everyone should be able to relate to the principles taught here. This isn’t just a section that applies to those callings that we tend to assign status to. This isn’t just for Prophets and Apostles and Bishops and Relief Society Presidents.
SEARCH
The way I’d like to approach this is with a little activity I call “Pick and Ponder”. I’m going to provide you with a few phrases that I find insightful from section 106 and display them up on the board for you. I’m going to give you about 5-8 minutes to study and ponder the entire section and, in particular, these phrases. Which of the following phrases is your favorite and what do they add to your understanding of high and holy callings? Or, to quote section 107, what do they add to your understanding of learning your duty and acting on it in all diligence? Choose at least two to comment on. Please also feel free to add one of your own phrases that I haven’t included here if you feel inspired by a different phrase. As the teacher, once your students have done this, you can either have volunteers share their thoughts with the entire class, or you could have them teach each other.
106
:3 Devote [your] . . . time to this high and holy calling
:3 Seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness
:3 and all things necessary shall be added thereunto.
:6 there was joy in heaven when my servant . . . bowed to my scepter and separated himself from the crafts of men
:7 blessed is my servant . . . for I will have mercy on him.
:7 I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me
:8 I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand
But now, let’s take a quick look at each one.
:3 Devote your time to this high and holy calling.
Callings and duties require our time. There’s no way around that. If we wish to act diligently in our duty, we’ve got to be willing to devote the necessary time to those things. You’ll notice that I dropped the word “whole” in this phrase because I don’t think God requires that we dedicate our whole time to a specific calling or duty, but He does require sacrifice. It’s one thing to sacrifice money, but our time is often even more difficult to give. We have been incredibly blessed in the last days with many, many time saving devices that our ancestors never had. So many things have been automated, streamlined, and optimized. And yet, we still seem to be busier than ever. Why is that? Too many distractions? Too many extraneous activities? Do we pile more on our plates than is wise? Perhaps we just need to put first things first and seek balance in fulfilling church, family, and personal duties.
:3 Seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness
These high and holy callings are going to require our diligence as well as our time. Diligence is defined as steady, earnest, and energetic effort. As opposed to occasional, halfhearted, and lethargic effort. In D&C 107:100 (the verse that follows the one I pointed out at the start) it says:
100 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.
When it comes to our callings and duties, we can frequently ask ourselves: Am I performing these things diligently or slothfully? I served part of my mission in the small city of Teofilo Otoni Brazil. In the middle square or central park of that city, there were all these sloths in the trees. Sometimes I would pass by the square in the morning and see a sloth in one area of a tree. Later that day I would be passing by again and some were still in the same place or very close by. In fact, I really like what sloths are called in Portuguese. They call them “o bixo preguica” or “the lazy beast”. When it comes to your callings, if you had to compare yourself to an animal, which would it be? An ant, or a bee, or a sloth, a lazy beast. Sometimes I like to ask myself, “If I did my job like I’m doing this duty or calling, would I be fired or promoted? Diligence is key in being counted worthy to stand.
:3 Another phrase from verse 3. “and all things necessary shall be added thereunto.”
Sometimes we may feel very inadequate to accomplish a duty or calling. As a bishop, I frequently encounter members who don’t feel qualified or capable to fulfill a specific calling. Sometimes we may not feel like we’re enough or that surely somebody else could do it better. I know I felt that way when I received my mission call. I felt that way when I became a parent. I felt that way when I was called as bishop. But in each of those circumstances, I’ve always felt the Lord adding all things necessary thereunto. That doesn’t mean that we don’t struggle, that we don’t make mistakes, or that we don’t feel overwhelmed at times, but God will give us what we need, to fulfill what he’s called us to do. As long as we are willing to be diligent, God can make up the rest. He will add thereunto. Along that same vein you have the promise he makes in verse :8, so let’s pull that one in now. I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand. As we strive to serve, we are guaranteed both—grace and assurance. Grace for our shortcomings, grace for our mistakes, grace for our weaknesses. Assurance of our ability to serve, assurance of our success, assurance of God’s help. There’s another thing that I remember Thomas S. Monson saying frequently: Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.
:6 In verse 6 “there was joy in heaven when my servant . . . bowed to my scepter and separated himself from the crafts of men”
The truth here. God rejoices when we accept his high and holy callings. When we say yes to speaking in church, when we decide to serve a mission, when we accept a call in our ward or branch, we are humbling ourselves to God’s will and separating ourselves from the desires, and the concerns, and the crafts of men. You can just picture Heavenly Father up there rejoicing when his children show willingness to heed his requests.
:7 blessed is my servant . . . for I will have mercy on him. Fulfilling callings brings us forgiveness and mercy as well. Like the Lord told Thomas B. Marsh when he accepted a call to serve a mission:
“5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.” Service in Christ’s church invites forgiveness and grace.
And then one more from verse 7. There seem to be two major pitfalls when it comes to receiving high and holy callings. One, is something we already talked about—not feeling worthy or adequate of them. The other lies on the other side of the spectrum. Feeling overly adequate or deserving of them. High and holy callings can be a temptation to pride. As will be said in a future place in the Doctrine and Covenants: 39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. The Lord seems to be particularly worried about this with Warren Cowdery. He says, “notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me”. Sometimes callings may inflate our egos a bit. I must really be something if I’m being asked to do this. Well obviously, they’re picking me to do this because I’m so qualified. Or, on the other side, do we ever reject a duty or a calling because we feel that we are beneath it? What was the bishop thinking? Doesn’t he know that I’ll be better used in this other area? Why am I being made a primary teacher? I should be serving in a presidency or in such and such a place? Pride can be a dangerous pitfall when it comes to callings. Some may even be tempted to disengage with their ward if not given what they perceive to be a greater or more important role. But remember the metaphor of the car. All parts are vital. Every ward needs nursery leaders and Sunday school teachers, and library workers just as much as they need presidents and counselors. The car won’t run well without all its parts. Do you want to know what my calling was before I became bishop? I was the Sunbeam teacher. And in a year or so, I’ll be released and somebody else will take the role of bishop and who knows what they’ll do with me. But I love that aspect of leadership in our church. One year, I may be in a presidency, and the next, I’m teaching 6-year-olds. Both these duties are needed and hopefully we don’t allow our pride to get in the way of our effectiveness. Look back at that phrase in verse 7. The Lord says, “I will lift him up, if he humbles himself”. We’ve got to make sure that the right person is doing the lifting. We don’t lift ourselves up. We leave that to God if it is his will
The sad thing about Warren Cowdery—his pride does eventually get the better of him as he rejects the counsels of church leaders and leaves the church in 1838.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
Which truth that we’ve discussed today do you feel can help you most to “learn your duty” and “act in all diligence”?
CONCLUSION
Well, isn’t it wonderful that God trusts us enough to engage in his work? That he allows 18–21-year-old boys and girls lead his missionary efforts around the world? That he allows volunteer, mortal men and women to guide and lead his church, rather than paid professionals? That he gives us the power to create bodies for his precious spirits and then gives us the chance to parent and raise them? God could do all these things on his own. But he gives those duties, and responsibilities, and callings to us—knowing full well that we’re going to mess things up now and then. God knows that growth can only come through challenge and responsibility. Some of you may remember President David O. McKay’s favorite quote that he discovered carved into a stone while serving his mission in Scotland. It said “What’er thou art, act well thy part”. Remember the analogy of the car. We all have a part to play in this great work. I pray that we can not only learn our duties but act in all diligence in fulfilling those duties as well.
BACKGROUND
Now for the big section of the week. Section 107 is the fourth of the major revelations on priesthood in the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 13 being the first, then section 20, and then section 84 as the third. Section 107 is much more focused on establishing the organizational structure and hierarchy of the various priesthood quorums in the church and outlining their various duties. It’s at this time in church history that we first have a quorum of Twelve Apostles and a quorum of the Seventy.
CUTTING IT UP
If you wished to cut this section up into more digestible parts, this is how I would do it.
1-20 The Two Priesthoods
21-39 The First Presidency, the Twelve, and the Seventy
40-57 The Patriarchal Order in Ancient Times
58-67 Presiding Officers
68-76 The Office of Bishop
77-84 The Final Authority of the First Presidency
85-98 Quorum Size and Presidencies
99-100 The Big Picture
ICEBREAKER
For an icebreaker, we’re going to take a Priesthood Pre-test. Without looking in the scriptures, I give my students the following questions and about 5-10 minutes to complete it. Then, for the rest of the lesson, we correct the pre-test using the scriptures as the answer key. While correcting, you can also use that time to ask questions and encourage discussion.
So here are the questions:
1. How many priesthoods are there in the Church?
A) One-The Priesthood
B) Two-The Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods.
C) Three-The Aaronic, Melchizedek, and Levitical priesthoods.
D) Four-The Aaronic, Melchizedek, Levitical, and Nazarite priesthoods.
Check your answer in verse 1
1 There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
So basically, there are two. Although, I wouldn’t say that if you marked A that you necessarily got it wrong. I understand that this is the way it’s worded here but Joseph does say at another point that all priesthood is Melchizedek. That priesthood is priesthood-the power and authority of God given to mortals and that the Aaronic or Levitical are appendages to that all-encompassing priesthood power. So I’d say you got it right if you marked either A or B.
2. Why is the Melchizedek priesthood called the Melchizedek priesthood?
A) It’s a Hebrew word that means “Sanctified and Worthy One”.
B) It’s named after the place where that priesthood was restored-the land of Melchizedek.
C) It’s the name of the tribe of Israel that specifically held the right to officiate in priesthood ordinances.
D) It’s named after a man named Melchizedek who was a great example of a worthy priesthood holder.
The answer is in verse 2
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
So the answer is D. It’s named after a man named Melchizedek who was a great example of a worthy priesthood holder. Now I’d like to spend just a little bit more time on this one because I think it’s important. The Old Testament doesn’t give us much information about Melchizedek other than letting us know that Abraham paid tithes to him. But the Book of Mormon goes into much more depth on this great man. You’ll learn a lot about him from Alma 13. But let’s just take a look at two verses. As you read them, ask yourself why the Lord would choose this man to name his priesthood after.
17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;
18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
So why do you think God chose him? Because he is the perfect example of what a priesthood holder is and should do. What did he do? Through his faith, through his preaching, through his example he was able to turn a wicked people into a righteous one. He was able to establish peace in people’s lives. That is exercising priesthood authority at its best. Teaching, acting, and leading in such a way that it lifts and blesses and brings peace to others. Melchizedek, come to find out, is actually more of a title rather than a given name. More than likely, Melchizedek is Shem, one of Noah’s sons, but there is some debate on that. Melchizedek, the title, means King of Righteousness. So it’s as if the Lord is saying “I’m going to change the name of the priesthood not so much to the name of a man, but to a man that lived up to a title. A man who was a king of righteousness, and a prince of peace. When we take upon ourselves the oath and covenant of the priesthood, we are covenanting with God that we will strive to become a “King of Righteousness” and a “Prince of Peace”. That’s the kind of authority God wants to be exercised in his name. The kind that encourages righteousness and peace, not dominion and conquest. That’s why Jesus is referred to as the King of Kings. Not because he is the king of earthly kings, like the king of Henry the VIII or Louis XVI. But the King of all the kings of righteousness within his church.
There is some wonderful symbolism to be found in the ordinance of formally receiving priesthood authority. When the priesthood is conferred on an individual, they sit in a chair, while another person with authority places their hands on their heads and confers on them that power. What’s the symbolism? When a King becomes a King, there is also a ceremony. It’s called a coronation. The future king sits on a chair or throne, while somebody with authority, usually a member of the clergy, places a crown upon their heads and utters words of blessing. When priesthood is conferred, It’s the same movement and same idea. Except when you receive priesthood or priesthood office or a calling, you are becoming a different kind of prince or king or royalty. A prince or princess of peace, and a king or queen of righteousness. As we exercise priesthood authority righteously, hopefully we can earn those titles and follow the example of Melchizedek.
3. What is the official name of the priesthood?
A) The Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God
B) The Sacred Power of God
C) The Holy Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek and Aaron
D) The Power of Godliness.
The answer is in verse 3.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
So the answer is A. That’s the official name of the priesthood.
4. Why was the official name of the priesthood changed to be called the Melchizedek priesthood?
A) To make it shorter and easier to say
B) To show there are divisions within the priesthood
C) Because Joseph Smith wished to delineate between the priesthood that we hold today from the priesthood in Biblical times.
D) Out of respect and reverence to the name of God and to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name.
The answer is in verse 4
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. So the answer is D.
5. Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Melchizedek priesthood?
A) The Right of Presidency
B) Power and authority over all the offices in the church
C) The ministering of angels
D) To administer in spiritual things
You’ll find the answer to this one in verse 8.
8 The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.
The answer to this is C then. The ministering of angels falls under the keys of the Aaronic priesthood. As far as the duties of the Melchizedek priesthood goes, I’d like you to take a look at verses 18-19 as well here. These verses will really give you a sense of what the Melchizedek priesthood is all about.
18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—
19 To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
I think that’s why it’s the Melchizedek priesthood that confers the gift of the Holy Ghost. It’s the Melchizedek priesthood that pronounces blessings of counsel and comfort on others. It’s the Melchizedek priesthood that leads and guides the general membership of the church by revelation. The Melchizedek priesthood administer in spiritual things.
6. Why is the Aaronic Priesthood called the Aaronic priesthood?
A) It was the priesthood conferred on Aaron and his posterity in Old Testament times
B) It was the name Moses gave it to differentiate it from the priesthood he held
C) It means “Lesser” in Hebrew
D) To honor Aaron who was such a great high priest
The answer is in verse 13.
13 The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations.
This happened as Moses led the children of Israel through the wilderness. God’s covenant people would operate under this lesser priesthood for many generations.
So the answer is A.
7. Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Aaronic priesthood?
A) It holds the keys of the ministering of angels
B) It administers in outward ordinances
C) It has the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom
D) It administers the letter of the gospel, rather than the spirit of the gospel
Look in verse 20.
20 The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.
The answer then is C. It’s the Melchizedek priesthood that receives the mysteries of the kingdom
8. How are we to uphold the leaders of the church? Mark all that apply.
A) With our confidence
B) With our faith
C) With our prayers
D) With our fast offerings
I love this one. The answer is in verse 22.
22 Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.
Those are the three things we need to have in order to truly support our church leaders. We uphold them by our confidence in their ability to lead us and in their decisions and counsels. We uphold them by our faith in their words by believing them and acting on what they teach. And we uphold them with our prayers, because we recognize that they are still mortal men, and need blessings, and help, and the grace of God. This reminds me of that great story in the Book of Exodus where the Israelites are in a battle with the people of Amalek. Moses goes to the top of a hill overlooking the battle and raises his arms. Once he does this, the Israelites begin to win and push the enemy back. But after a while, Moses’s arms start to get tired, and they start to fall. When this happens, Amalek begins to push the Israelites back. They start losing. So two men, Aaron and Hur go to Moses and hold up each one of his arms. Because of this, the Israelites eventually win the battle. What’s the message? When we uphold the prophet, we win our battles. How do we uphold the prophet? With our confidence, our faith, and our prayers.
9. What are the duties of the quorum of the Twelve? Mark all that apply
A) To be special witnesses of Christ in all the world
B) Build up the church and regulate its affairs in all nations
C) Hold the keys of opening the door for the proclamation of the gospel
D) Ordain leaders by revelation
You’ll find the answers to this one in verses 23, 33, 35, and 39. The answer is all of them. The twelve are to do all of these things. The document that we know as “The Living Christ” is a great example of the apostles acting on their duty to be special witnesses of Christ in all the world.
10. How are decisions made in the quorum of the twelve apostles?
A) Majority rule
B) The President of the Church makes all the decisions, but councils with the Twelve
C) A 2/3rds majority
D) All decisions must be unanimous
The answer is in verse 27.
27 And every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other—
Don’t you love that? They are perfectly united in their decisions. It’s not like the government where you have all this infighting and jockeying for position and control. The brethren must agree 100% unanimously before decisions are made. You’d think that in a system like that, nothing would ever get done, that there would always be at least one person dissenting. But things do get done! A testament to the fact that our church is inspired and led by God.
I love how Gordon B. Hinckley describes this:
“No decision emanates from the deliberations of the First Presidency and the Twelve without total unanimity among all concerned. At the outset in considering matters, there may be differences of opinion. These are to be expected. These men come from different backgrounds. They are men who think for themselves. But before a final decision is reached, there comes a unanimity of mind and voice.
. . .
“I add by way of personal testimony that during the twenty years I served as a member of the Council of the Twelve and during the nearly thirteen years that I have served in the First Presidency, there has never been a major action taken where this procedure was not observed. I have seen differences of opinion presented in these deliberations. Out of this very process of men speaking their minds has come a sifting and winnowing of ideas and concepts. But I have never observed serious discord or personal enmity among my Brethren. I have, rather, observed a beautiful and remarkable thing—the coming together, under the directing influence of the Holy Spirit and under the power of revelation, of divergent views until there is total harmony and full agreement. Only then is implementation made. That, I testify, represents the spirit of revelation manifested again and again in directing this the Lord’s work” (“God Is at the Helm,” Ensign, May 1994, 54, 59).
11. Which of the following is not a duty of the bishop?
A) To administer in temporal things
B) To make the final decision on controversies in spiritual matters
C) To be a judge in Israel
D) To do the business of the church in his part of the world
Take a look at verses 68-77 and you’ll see all those duties mentioned except for B. He does not make the final decision on controversies in spiritual matters. That is a duty left to either a stake high council or the first presidency of the church. Bishop’s do however bless the members of their ward in temporal things. That’s why the bishop oversees tithing and the welfare program of the church. He is to be a judge in Israel, which is why you have an interview with him before you can receive a temple recommend. And he does the business of the church in his ward, which I guess is kind of a catch all phrase to describe the other various duties he has.
12. Which of the following does not represent the proper number of a full quorum of these priesthood offices?
A) 12 Deacons
B) 24 Teachers
C) 56 Priests
D) 96 Elders
The answer is in verses 85-89. The only number that is incorrect there is C. It’s not 56 priests but 48. You’ll notice that the numbers double as you ascend the different priesthood offices.
13. Which of the following is not true of the President of the Church?
A) He is blessed with every single spiritual gift possible
B) He is responsible for regulating all the financial matters of the church.
C) He presides over the whole church
D) He is a seer, revelator, translator, and prophet
Look in verses 91-92. The answer is B. He is not responsible for regulating all the financial matters of the church, that would fall more under the office of the presiding bishopric. But, he does preside over the whole church. He does have all those titles: seer, revelator, translator, and prophet. And this really cool thought here. He does have all the spiritual gifts of God. You might remember our lesson back in section 46 on the gifts of the Spirit. To aid his prophet in his massive responsibilities, he blesses them with the incredible power of all his gifts.
Well, I hope that little activity helped you to understand the priesthood just a little bit better.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
If you wish to help your students liken the scriptures a little, you could choose a few of the following questions for them to consider.
How have you been blessed by the power of the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood?
What could you do to better uphold your leaders with confidence, faith, and prayer?
What could you do to better follow the example of Melchizedek in using priesthood power?
Who is a leader in the church that has greatly blessed you? How?
CONCLUSION
I’m incredibly grateful for the organization and order of the priesthood that we enjoy in the church. I have been blessed in so many ways throughout the years by righteous men and women wielding that God-given power. I’m also grateful for the privilege and experiences that God has given me as I’ve used a measure of that power myself in my callings and responsibilities. I know that power is real. I’ve felt it and I’ve seen its influence.
BACKGROUND
Section 108 is directed to Lyman Sherman who had specifically come to the prophet to request a revelation concerning his duty before God. He’d faithfully served in Zion’s camp and had now been called to be one of the seven Presidents of the Seventies. There are two messages I’d like to briefly cover from this section. One comes from verses 1-2 and the other from verse 7.
108-LET YOUR SOUL BE AT REST
ICEBREAKER
For an icebreaker, I like to ask my students to compare the feeling of guilt to something. How would they describe what guilt feels like? We’ve all been there. I would say it feels like having a vice on your heart, and someone just keeps turning it and clamping down on it with each passing minute. Or they may compare it to having a giant weight resting on their chest an enormous internal pressure.
Then, another question. What does forgiveness feel like? To me forgiveness is like having the vice immediately loosened and removed. I have an air compressor in my garage that I use to inflate car and bike tires. When I’m finished using it, the manufacturer recommends that you release the pressure from the tank. So there’s a little valve you unscrew. And it’s kind of fun. You open that valve, and all that air and pressure just comes hissing out at tremendous speed and volume. And then it just gradually slows and softens until all the air is gone. Perhaps forgiveness feels a little like that—like letting all that guilt and regret and pain air out of your soul.
SEARCH
Well Lyman Sherman apparently had some concerns about his past. What those concerns exactly were, I’m not sure. I imagine that most of us can relate to that feeling though. Have you ever experienced feelings of regret, guilt, or anxiety over your mistakes, sins, or weaknesses? The Lord has a message for those that are repentant, but still anxious and uncertain about their standing before God. What is that message in verses 1-2?
1 Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.
2 Therefore, let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing, and resist no more my voice.
Sometimes the hardest person we’ll ever have to forgive is ourselves. Satan is going to use every opportunity he has to try and drag us down and make us miserable like unto himself. So, when we sin, yes, it’s normal and important that we feel guilty. Guilt is actually a feeling inspired by the Spirit. It helps us to repent and to change and to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. But Satan can often manipulate that guilt into something far worse and not inspired by the Spirit. Satan seeks to fill us with enduring shame. Shame can cripple, discourage, and keep us from moving forward. When God has forgiven us, or one of his servants has assured us of his mercy, then we need to let it go. We need to let our souls be at rest concerning our spiritual standing. We don’t want to be spiritual insomniacs that never put the past to bed. We can’t let our past sins imprison our future potential. What if Alma the Younger had just spent the rest of his life wallowing in regret over his former sinful ways. What if Paul had allowed his past to stifle his potential. We’ve got to be careful about putting limits on Christ’s atonement. When we say that we can never forgive ourselves—that what we’ve done is unredeemable, we’re saying the Christ’s grace and mercy can only extend so far. This is unwise. We’ve got to let Jesus have his victory over our sins.
C.S. Lewis had something to say about that. He said: “I think that if God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.”
C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)
CONCLUSION
So, with great love and concern for each of you out there. If there is anyone who is feeling that right now. If you’re feeling guilt over something that was done and repented for long ago. If you are still holding on to some shame or regret over a forgiven sin, I encourage you to “let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing”. Don’t let the lies of the adversary hold you back and keep you from fulfilling your divine potential. You can still do great things in God’s kingdom and your family. Give Christ his victory and move on!
108-STRENGTHEN THY BRETHREN
ICEBREAKER
There is another idea I truly love from section 108. To introduce it, I’d like to give you the following verses to consider. What do each of these verses have in common?
Mark 3:17 Sons of Thunder
D&C 7:1 John, my beloved
John 1:47 Nathanael, in whom there is no guile
John 1:42 Peter, the rock.
John 8:11 Woman taken in adultery. Neither do I condemn thee.
Matthew 8:10 I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Luke 19:9 Zacchaeus
SEARCH
If you’re struggling to see a pattern there, compare those verses to D&C 108:7 And does that help?
It says:
Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.
Do you see the pattern there? In each of those above references you have examples of Jesus strengthening his brethren. He was always looking for ways to build other people up. Sometimes he gave them nicknames. How do you think it made Peter feel about Peter when Jesus said, “You know what, I think I’ll call you “The Rock”. Or how do you think it made Nathanael feel about Nathanael when Jesus said, “Here is an Israelite in whom there is not guile”. Or how did it make the Centurion feel when Jesus said he had never seen such great faith amongst all the Israelites. Or Zacchaeus, the publican despised by the people, when Jesus chose him to have lunch with of all the people in Jericho.
Jesus believed in strengthening his brethren in all his conversations, and prayers, and exhortations.
He sought to build people up rather than tear them down.
Now which of those two things do you think is more common in our society? What do we see on the news? In magazines? On social media. People talking mostly about what's good and positive in others and things, or what's wrong and negative? I think you know the answer to that question. Politics is full of negativity and tearing down. Modern humor is full of negativity and tearing down. Social media is chock full of this kind of thing. I remember asking a simple question on a hiking forum and a number of people jumped on and made disparaging comments about my question and why it was a stupid thing to ask, and I just thought. Why? What makes people feel the need to put others down over something as silly as this. I just don’t get it.
I’d like to share this little poem that I feel captures the essence of this counsel we find in section 108. I know it’s been shared many times and been attributed to a number of people, but, it really is effective at communicating the principle here. And, I think it’s beautifully and simply written. It’s called “A Builder or a Wrecker”, and it goes like this:
As I watched them tear a building down A gang of men in a busy town With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell They swung a beam and the side wall fell
I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled, And the men you’d hire if you wanted to build?” He gave a laugh and said, “No, indeed, Just common labor is all I need.”
“I can easily wreck in a day or two, What builders have taken years to do.” And I thought to myself, as I went on my way Which of these roles have I tried to play'
Am I a builder who works with care, Strengthening lives by rule and square? Am I shaping my peers to a well-made plan Helping them do the best they can?
Or am I a wrecker who walks to town Content with the labor of tearing down? “O Lord let my life and my labors be That which will build for eternity!”
Author Charles Franklin Benvegar
originally published in 1967 in “The Songs of the Free State Bards” compiled by Vincent Godfrey Burns.
Wrecking is easy. Right? “I can easily wreck in a day or two, what builders have taken years to do”. It’s so easy to criticize and nit-pick and point out the faults of others because everybody has them and they’re usually quite obvious. It’s so tempting to call those things out because it makes us feel superior or better than they are. There is something seductive and pleasurable about putting somebody else down. It strokes our ego and feeds our pride. You know, I’m going to blow out your candle, so that mine burns brighter.
Let me suggest something that’s even more rewarding—praise and compliments. Have you ever seen the effect a sincere compliment can have on a person? It’s magical. It’s almost instantly and visibly transforming. Try it out! See for yourself. Think of someone you know and ponder something that is truly positive about them. Then mention it to them. Watch their eyes light up. Watch them stand a little taller and breathe a little more freely. You’ll make their day. Now they may sheepishly deny it, or get embarrassed, but that compliment can literally change them or fuel them for years.
Just think of a compliment somebody has given you. How did it make you feel? I still remember a compliment that another elder gave me in the mission field. He said, “You know what I’ve noticed about you Elder Wilcox? You’re the kind of guy that . . . and he gave me wonderful compliment. That was over 20 years ago! I still remember it. To this day, I’m still getting mileage out of that compliment. That elder was a builder. Building is so much more satisfying and long lasting. It blesses both the builder and the built.
TRUTH
Building boosts, while wrecking weakens.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
At this point in the lesson, I like to pull out a hammer and I tell them that each of them carries a hammer with them every day. What can you do with a hammer? I can build with it, or I can destroy things with it. Well, how do you most often use your hammer? Are you more of a builder or a wrecker?
Think of the last conversation you had with a member of your family. Did you build or wreck? Think of the last conversation you had with a coworker or fellow student. Did you build or wreck? The last time you made a comment on social media. Did you build or wreck?
And with that, I’d like to give you a challenge—an experiment. I want you to sincerely compliment somebody in the next 24 hours and see what happens. And I don’t want you to compliment their physical appearance, or their clothing, or something they can do, but something about their character that impresses you. An attribute of their personality that is admirable. As a teacher, you could tell your students that you are going to follow up with them the next time you meet and have some share what their experience was like.
CONCLUSION
I hope that we can all strive to be like Christ in this respect. Yes, there is a time and place for rebuke and constructive criticism but building and strengthening others should always be our ultimate goal. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own little worlds or tear down others to make ourselves feel better, but we can resist that urge. I believe we’ll find that lifting is much more rewarding than demolishing. Be a builder, not a wrecker.
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