DUTIES AND BLESSINGS OF THE PRIESTHOOD Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A DUTIES AND BLESSINGS OF THE PRIESTHOOD Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah Revised 2000 Comments and Suggestions Your comments and suggestions about this manual would be appreciated. Please submit them to: Curriculum Planning 50 East North Temple Street, Floor 24 Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3200 USA E-mail: [email protected] Please list your name, address, ward, and stake. Be sure to give the title of the manual. Then offer your comments and suggestions about the manual’s strengths and areas of potential improvement. © 1979, 1980, 1986, 1993, 1996, 2000 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America English approval: 3/99 CONTENTS Introduction . v The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles . viii The Family: A Proclamation to the World . x History and Organization of the Priesthood 1. The Priesthood . 2 2. The Priesthood from Adam to the Restoration . 9 3. The Restoration of the Priesthood . 16 4. The Priesthood Quorum . 24 5. Duties of the Deacon . 31 6. Duties of the Teacher . 40 7. Duties of the Priest . 48 8. Duties of the Bishop and the Branch President . 57 9. Duties of the Elder and the High Priest . 63 10. Patriarchs and Patriarchal Blessings . 69 11. The Need for General Authorities . 77 Personal and Family Responsibilities 12. The Father’s Responsibility for the Welfare of His Family . 86 13. Counseling with Family Members . 93 14. Leading Family Prayer . 101 15. The Home: A Center for Gospel Study . 107 16. Teaching the Gospel . 114 17. Teaching from the Scriptures . 124 18. Teaching by the Power of the Holy Ghost . 132 19. Teaching Modesty and Virtue in the Home . 139 20. Settling Family Problems Harmoniously . 146 21. Managing Family Finances . 153 22. Home Production and Storage . 160 23. Developing and Improving Employment Skills . 168 24. Keeping Physically Healthy . 177 25. Serving the Community and the Nation . 184 Gospel Principles and Doctrines 26. A Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ . 192 27. Faith in Jesus Christ . 198 28. Repentance . 207 iii Contents 29. Baptism, a Continuing Covenant . 215 30. The Gift of the Holy Ghost . 223 31. Prayer and Fasting . 230 32. Reverence . 237 33. Love and Service . 244 34. Moral Cleanliness . 250 35. The Eternal Family . 256 Index . 264 Picture Section . 277 iv INTRODUCTION Using This Manual This manual provides 35 lessons related to basic gospel principles and the responsibilities of Aaronic Priesthood and Melchizedek Priesthood bearers. As prompted by the Spirit, leaders and teachers should plan and teach lessons that address the spiritual, emotional, and temporal needs of the members in their branch or ward. This manual should be used as the instruction manual for both the Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood in units of the Church where Teachings of Presidents of the Church and Aaronic Priesthood manuals are not yet published in the needed language. In such units, copies of this manual should be made available to all holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood and to Aaronic Priesthood leaders and instruc- tors. Local leaders should consult Information for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Curriculum for the schedule showing which years part A and part B of Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood are to be used. In units of the Church where Teachings of Presidents of the Church and Aaronic Priesthood manuals are available, this manual should be used (1) as a resource for Melchizedek Priesthood instruction on first and fourth Sundays; (2) as a supplementary resource for Aaronic Priesthood instruction; and (3) as designated, for Relief Society “Teachings for Our Time” lessons on fourth Sundays. In such units, copies of the manual should be made available to the leaders and instructors in the Relief Society, Melchizedek Priesthood, and Aaronic Priesthood. In addition, leaders may encourage Melchizedek Priesthood holders to purchase a copy of this manual for personal study and for family teaching in the home. Preparing to Teach Teaching helps provided in this manual include a “Teacher Preparation” section, questions teachers could ask, suggestions for class participation, and directions for using pictures and charts. In addition to the discus- sion questions and methods suggested, teachers may choose to use v Introduction other methods or lesson approaches they find effective to involve their class members and stimulate participation and learning. Almost every lesson suggests the use of a chalkboard, so if possible teachers should arrange to have a chalkboard and chalk available for each lesson. Many of the visual aids suggested for use as posters could be drawn or writ- ten on the chalkboard. Other suggestions for teaching can be found in the Teaching Guidebook (34595) and in Teaching, No Greater Call (36123). Class members should be encouraged to prepare for class discussion by studying the assigned lesson during the week. They should also be encouraged to bring their scriptures. Involving Members with Disabilities During His mortal ministry, Jesus went up into the mountain near the Sea of Galilee. “And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: “Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30–31). The Savior set the example for us in feeling compassion for those with disabilities. When He visited the Nephites after His Resurrection, He said: “Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. “Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy” (3 Nephi 17:6–7). As a teacher in a Church classroom, you are in an excellent position to show compassion. Although not usually trained to give professional assistance to class members with disabilities, teachers should desire to understand and include these members in the learning activities of the class. Class members with mental, physical, emotional, and other dis- abilities may need special attention. The following guidelines should help you reach every member: I Strive to understand the needs and abilities of each class member. I Check in advance with a class member before calling on him to read, pray, or otherwise participate. Ask such questions as “How do you feel about reading in class?” or “Would you feel comfortable praying in class?” If appropriate, check with priesthood leaders, parents, and family members to determine the member’s special needs. vi Introduction I Try to increase and improve the involvement and learning of the member with a disability. I Ensure that each class member treats every other class member with respect. I Be natural, friendly, and warm. Every son of God needs love and understanding. As a teacher in the Church, remember that each member, regardless of physical, mental, emotional, or social capacity, has the potential for growth toward exaltation. You have an obligation to help each individ- ual learn gospel principles in your class. Remember the words of the Savior: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). vii viii THET HELIVINGTESTIMONY OF THE ACHRISTPOSTLES THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS s we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head the reality of His matchless life and the infi- was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone niteA virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as has had so profound an influence upon all who have the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the lived and will yet live upon the earth. voice of Jehovah, saying: He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father, He was the creator of the earth.“All things Father”(D&C 110:3–4). were made by him; and without him was not any Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after thing made that was made”(John 1:3). Though sin- the many testimonies which have been given of him, less, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: He “went about doing good”(Acts 10:38), yet was That he lives! despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, Only Begotten of the Father— causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He “That by him, and through him, and of him, the taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our pre- worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants mortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” the potential for the sons and daughters of God in (D&C 76:22–24).