I am filled with humility and thanksgiving at this opportunity to speak with you today. My intent is to do all I can to strengthen and further the work here in the Kingdom of God. I pray the Holy Ghost will be my constant companion and aid me in my quest of fellowshipping, communicating, and edifying Spirit-to-Spirit with all who view this broadcast.
For the Lord has promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88).”
June 8, 1978 Revelation of the Priesthood
We are blessed to assemble in recognition and celebration of the 30 year anniversary of the revelation extending the Priesthood of God, the Priesthood of our Heavenly Father, to all worthy males. As stated in the First Presidency letter dated June 8, 1978 which was addressed to general and local officers of the Church throughout the world and was signed by Presidents Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner, and Marion G. Romney, prayers had been answered, revelation had been received and confirmed, and promises had been fulfilled.
The revelation announced that every faithful, worthy man in the Church could receive the Holy Priesthood with power to exercise its divine authority and enjoy every blessing that flows there from, including the blessings of the temple.
The revelation went on to state that accordingly all worthy male members of the Church could be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.
Priesthood leaders were instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood, thereby ensuring that all brethren met the established standards for worthiness.
Since that date many lives have been changed for good and many families have been blessed vastly for having the priesthood of God within the walls of their own home.
Keeping Covenants and Honoring the Priesthood
Brethren in enormous numbers have entered into the oath and covenant of the Priesthood which states:
“For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.”
“They become the sons of Moses and Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.”
“And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;”
“For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;”
“And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;”
“And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.”
“And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.”
“Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved (D&C 84:33-40).”
Our beloved Prophet, President Monson, has counseled (and I quote) “We need to know the oath and covenant of the priesthood because it pertains to all of us. To those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, it is a declaration of our requirement to be faithful and obedient to the laws of God and to magnify the callings which come to us. To those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood, it is a pronouncement concerning future duty and responsibility, that they may prepare themselves here and now (close quote).”
Our Savior has promised bearers of the priesthood His personal help to those who go forward in honoring the priesthood. If we continually nourish ourselves spiritually and abide in Christ, we will always be able to draw on His strength to bring forth fruit worthy of our Father’s kingdom.
Proper Use of the Priesthood
Long before and after June 8, 1978 many brethren have lived up to their sacred responsibility by caring for and serving others, which is the very essence of priesthood responsibility. As a bearer of the priesthood we are entrusted and empowered with the power to bless, the power to heal, and the opportunity to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel.
The 121st section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verses 41-46 counsels and instructs us clearly, that the priesthood should be used only in righteousness and I read:
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;”
“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile,”
“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou has reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;”
“That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.”
“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.”
“The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and they dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.”
For those of us who are bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood, we are entitled to the ministering of angels to guide, bless, and direct our path for good. If we shoulder the Melchizedek Priesthood, we have been given the keys of the kingdom that carry with them eternal powers.
Heavenly Father Knows Best
Also since June 8, 1978 several have inquired of the Lord, the church, and the brethren why before that time only worthy male members who were not of black African descent were ordained to the priesthood. In my short tenure in the gospel, I have also been asked this question time and time again by media; by friends and associates; by those who are members of the church; by those who were investigating the church; and, lastly, by several of my own family members. I too have been very clear in my answer to this very unsettling question which is grounded in my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—Heavenly Father Knows Best.
The Lord may not be inclined to provide us a simple and universally satisfying explanation of the previous restrictions placed on the priesthood and its blessings. In my mind and in my situation, the words of King Benjamin are particularly helpful in this regard. He said,
“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend (Mosiah 4:9).”
I do not feel it is necessary for me to understand all of the Lord’s dealings in order to believe that He is God and trust that He loves His children. Likewise, it is not important that I be able to explain His doings in order to believe in His love to know that He can bless His children, and knows how to make us happy better than we do. We cannot understand all of His thoughts and my faith is not limited by what I don’t understand.
Testimony
I know from the experiences of my life and the converting feelings of the Spirit that God lives, that He loves all of His children, and that He delights to bless us beyond our ability to comprehend or to fully appreciate. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s true and restored Church upon the earth. How foolish it would be to imagine that because I do not understand some things, the things I do know and understand by the powerful workings of the Spirit in my heart are any less real or true. The doctrines are true. The scriptures, which are the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, are true. The power and ordinances of the Priesthood are real, majestic, compelling, and true.
Without hesitation, I testify that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Because of the obedience and courage of a small boy, even Joseph Smith who is a prophet of God, and that catalyst of the restoration of the Gospel, in this dispensation, I have found immeasurable joy and happiness in my life, by living according to the laws and the commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today we have a living prophet in Thomas S. Monson, who counsels us in words of divine wisdom as we walk our paths in these complex and difficult times.
The Book of Mormon is confirming evidence of the birth, life, and crucifixion of Jesus, and of his work as the Messiah and the Redeemer.
I know that my Redeemer lives. He is my Friend! He is my Exemplar! He is my Teacher! He is my Savior! He is my God and my King!
Before closing, allow me to extend an open invitation to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people to explore the true gospel of Jesus Christ and find out for yourselves and then act on the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
May we all live with more attention to the life and example of the Lord Jesus Christ; especially the love, hope, and compassion He displayed. I pray that we take literally his invitation to “come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Ether 4:18).”
We’re reminded in Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).”
Brethren of the Priesthood, our season is NOW!
Our Heavenly Father knows best!
I thank my Heavenly Father for these moving truths and blessings.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!