Lesson 31: D&C 84

 July 26- August 1
Doctrine and Covenants 84
"The Power of Godliness"

Materials: Whiteboard and marker, priesthood words worksheet, tape
Opening Song: "The Priesthood is Restored" (Children's Songbook, 89)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Write the word "priesthood" on the whiteboard. Ask your family, what is the first thing that comes into your head when you think of the word "priesthood?" Have each family member write one thing on the board that comes to mind when they the of the priesthood. 

Lesson: 

We often think of the priesthood by identifying it with the men who bear it. We think of our dads, grandfathers, bishops, and apostles. Although  righteous men may hold the priesthood they are not the priesthood. What is the priesthood? Have a family member read the following quote from Gospel Topics. 

"The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; Doctrine and Covenants 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also Doctrine and Covenants 84:35–38).

Second, in mortality, priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel (“Priesthood Authority,” Handbook 2, Administering the Church)."

Activity: Priesthood words

(Before FHE, print the sheet below and cut out the words.) To learn more about the priesthood, we are going to add to or expound on some of the words we wrote on our board at the beginning of FHE. Have family members take turns choosing a word and taping it to the whiteboard next to the word, "priesthood." When they do, read or have a family member read the passage below that corresponds with the word.

Melchizedek- Read D&C 84:19.

Ordinances- Read D&C 84:20-22

Aaronic- Read D&C 84: 26-27

Power- Priesthood power is the power by which God blesses his children. It is available to every worthy man and woman in the church. We utilize priesthood power when we fulfill responsibilities in our callings and homes. 

Restored- The priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery while Joseph was translating The Book of Mormon. Since then, the priesthood has been passed on to worthy  men until now. In D&C 84 we read how Moses received his priesthood authority. Men who are ordained to the priesthood today can also trace their authority back to Jesus Christ. 

Keys- "The keys of the priesthood are the right to preside and direct the affairs of the Church within a jurisdiction. Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood pertaining to His Church. He has conferred upon each of His Apostles all the keys that pertain to the kingdom of God on earth. The senior living Apostle, the President of the Church, is the only person on earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys (Gospel Topics)." The President of the Church can delegate keys to others who have priesthood authority. Who holds priesthood keys in our ward and stake?

Temple- Read D&C 84: 5 The temple is an essential part of the priesthood. In the temple, worthy women and men are endowed with priesthood power and make sacred covenants and ordinances necessary to be able to dwell in God's presence in the celestial kingdom.  

Authority- Priesthood authority can only be given to men through ordination. Those who have priesthood authority may perform priesthood duties of their quorums and lesser quorums. These duties are done under the direction of the president who holds the priesthood keys for that quorum. 

The Doctrine and Covenants makes clear eternal life can only come through being true and faithful to priesthood covenants and ordinances. What priesthood ordinances have you participated in? Verse 20 of section 84 says that the power of godliness is seen in priesthood ordinances. How have you felt the "power of godliness" as you have participated in the sacrament or when you were baptized? How would these ordinances make us more "godly?" When you are older, you get to enter the temple to receive your endowment. This endowment is a gift of priesthood power and it is another ordinance that is necessary to eternal life along with eternal marriage. These are also blessings made possible to us through the priesthood.

Bear your testimony of the priesthood. 

Closing Song: "The Priesthood of Our Lord" (Hymns, 320)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Lemon Crinkle Cookies recipe here