Why Are Priesthood Keys Essential?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Mosiah 7-10 in a lesson titled “In the Strength of the Lord.” The lesson was introduced as follows: 

While King Mosiah’s people were enjoying “continual peace” in Zarahemla (Mosiah 7:1), their thoughts turned to another group of Nephites, who many years before had left to dwell in the land of Lehi-Nephi. Generations had passed, and Mosiah’s people had heard nothing from them. So, Mosiah asked Ammon to lead a search party to find the Nephites who had left. The search party found that these Nephites, “because of iniquity” (Mosiah 7:24), were in captivity to the Lamanites. But with the arrival of Ammon and his brethren, suddenly there was hope for deliverance.

Sometimes we’re like these captive Nephites, suffering because of our sins, wondering how we’ll ever find peace again. Sometimes we’re like Ammon, feeling prompted to reach out to others and eventually finding that our efforts have inspired them to “lift up [their] heads, and rejoice, and put [their] trust in God” (Mosiah 7:19). No matter our circumstances, we all need to repent and “turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart,” with faith that “he will … deliver [us]” (Mosiah 7:33).

As in most scripture blocks, there are several principles to consider, and I chose to discuss a principle found in Mosiah 8:13-19 “The Lord provides prophets, seers, and revelators to benefit mankind.” We will begin with the applicable verses of scripture but will first give the background story.

When King Limhi learned that Ammon had come to Zarahemla to find him, he told Ammon that he had sent a group of men to find the land of Zarahemla. However, the men were not able to find Zarahemla, but they did find some records. King Limhi wanted to know the information contained on the records and asked Ammon if he knew of such a person. Here we will pick up the scripture verses.

13 Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.

14 And behold, the king of the people who are in the land of Zarahemla is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from God.

15 And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.

16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.

17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be mad manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.

18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

19 And now, when Ammon had made an end of speaking these words the king rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God, saying: Doubtless a great mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men.

When Limhi heard Ammon’s testimony that the Lord had raised up a seer, Limhi “rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God” (Mosiah 8:19). Would you rejoice to learn that there is a seer on earth today? I testify to you that there are fifteen prophets, seers, and revelators on earth today. They are the three members of the First Presidency and the twelve members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Today, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustain the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators. Those same prophets, seers, and revelators spoke to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and broadcast to the world the information that we will need for the next six months.

The Brethren testified of truths that have been restored in our day by Joseph Smith and other prophets of the Lord. Some of those truths are the nature of God, our divine identity, and the eternal nature of the family. They also testified of the blessings that come from keeping the commandments of God and the covenants made with God, such as the Word of Wisdom, the law of chastity, and the sealing of families for eternity.

President Russell M. Nelson testified that the resurrected John the Baptist bestowed the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, which made possible the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ on April 6, 1830. He continued: Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Then in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, the conferral of these three additional priesthood keys – namely, keys of the gathering of Israel, keys of the gospel of Abraham, and keys of the sealing power – was essential. These keys authorized Joseph Smith – and all succeeding Presidents of the Lord’s Church – to gather Israel on both sides of the veil, to bless all covenant children with the blessings of Abraham, to place a ratifying seal on priesthood ordinances and covenants, and to seal families eternally. The power of these priesthood keys is infinite and breathtaking.

Consider how your life would be different if priesthood keys had not been restored to the earth. Without priesthood keys, you could not be endowed with the power of God.

Without priesthood keys, the Church could serve only as a significant teaching and humanitarian organization but not much more. Without priesthood keys, none of us would have access to essential ordinances and covenants that bind us to our loved ones eternally and allow us eventually to live with God.

Priesthood keys distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth. Many other organizations can and do make your life better here in mortality. But no other organization can and will influence your life after death.

Priesthood keys give us the authority to extend all of the blessings promised to Abraham to every covenant-keeping man and woman. Temple work makes these exquisite blessings available to all of God’s children, regardless of where or when they lived or now live. Let us rejoice that priesthood keys are once again on the earth!