The Aaronic Priesthood— Greater Than You Might Think a Message About Duty to God

Youth

By David L. Beck Young Men General President The Aaronic Priesthood— Greater Than You Might Think A Message about Duty to God

our years ago I attended a Lord has called you to a wonderful memorial service for my brother work, and He expects you to be a FGary. One of the speakers paid priesthood man. a great tribute to my brother. I have been thinking about it ever since. He The Greatness of the said, “Gary was a priesthood man. Aaronic Priesthood . . . He understood the priesthood, Just think about the greatness of honored the priesthood, and fully the Aaronic Priesthood that you bear: embraced the priesthood and its • The Lord sent the resurrected principles.” John the Baptist to restore the When my brother died, he was Aaronic Priesthood. When a high priest in the Melchizedek John conferred this priest- Priesthood, and he had enjoyed 50 hood on Joseph Smith and years of priesthood service. Gary was Oliver Cowdery, he called a loving husband and father who had them his “fellow servants” served an honorable full-time mis- (D&C 13:1). President sion, married in the temple, magnified Gordon B. Hinckley his priesthood callings, and served (1910–2008) pointed out diligently as a home teacher. that John “did not place You are an Aaronic Priesthood himself above Joseph and holder. Your priesthood service is just Oliver. He put them on beginning. You may not even have his same level when he 50 days of priesthood experience yet. addressed them as ‘my fel- But you can be worthy of the same low servants.’” President tribute Gary received. In fact, you Hinckley went on to say should be worthy of that tribute. The that a 12-year-old deacon Photo illustration by Craig Dimon d © IRI Photo illustration January 2011 37 sacrament. When you prepare, experienced. Some of these activities bless, or pass the sacrament, you are personal. Others may be adapted represent Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi for your entire quorum to use in 18:1–12). You help your family Sunday lessons or in activities during members and friends remember the week. Him, renew their covenants, and On page 39 the sample from the qualify for the companionship of book shows how this pattern works. the Holy Spirit. The comments are from young men Such opportunities require the who have already had great experi- As you grow in spiritual strength and work of priesthood men—men who ences with the new book. help others come unto Christ through are spiritually strong and who fulfill your priesthood service, you are truly their priesthood duties. A Priesthood Man a priesthood man. When I think of the phrase New Duty to God Book “priesthood man,” I obviously think Under the direction of our living of my brother Gary. But I also prophets, a resource has been pre- think of others. I think of President pared to help you be a priesthood Thomas S. Monson, who, as a can also be John’s fellow servant. 1 man. Although the resource is new, it deacon, felt that he stood on holy • The Aaronic Priesthood holds the has a familiar name: Duty to God. ground when he helped a disabled key of the ministering of angels (see I am excited about the new Duty man partake of the sacrament. 3 I D&C 13:1). As you live righteously to God book. It can help you obey think of John the Baptist, the great and serve diligently, you can receive the Lord’s command to “learn [your] Aaronic Priesthood holder who pre- the ministering of angels to guide duty” and “act in the office in which pared the way for the Savior’s mortal and strengthen you. Through your [you are] appointed, in all diligence” ministry by teaching, testifying, and administration of the sacrament, (D&C 107:99). administering the sacred ordinance you can help others receive this Using the book as a deacon, of baptism. And I think of you. blessing as well. 2 teacher, and priest, you will participate As you grow in spiritual strength • The Aaronic Priesthood “holds in activities in two categories: spiritual and help others come unto Christ the keys of . . . the gospel of strength and priesthood duties. through your priesthood service, repentance, and of baptism by you are truly a priesthood man. ◼ immersion for the remission of A Pattern of Becoming For more information about Duty to sins” (D&C 13:1). Repentance and Each activity in the Duty to God God, read the booklet’s introduction baptism join to form the gate that book follows a pattern that will help or visit www.DutytoGod.lds.org. people enter to start on the path to you become the priesthood holder Notes eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:17–18). the Lord wants you to become: First, 1. See Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Aaronic Acting under the direction of your you learn about a gospel principle Priesthood—a Gift from God,” Ensign, May 1988, 45. priesthood leaders, you can help or a priesthood duty. Then you act 2. See Dallin H. Oaks, “The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament,” Liahona, people open this gate. on what you have learned. Finally, Jan. 1999, 44–45; Ensign, Nov. 1998, 37–39. • The Aaronic Priesthood includes you share your thoughts and feelings 3. See Thomas S. Monson, “Do Your Duty— That Is Best,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov.

38 Liahona Youth

Youth.

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becoming.

life, and the kind of person you are are you person of kind the and life,

learning, how it is influencing your your influencing is it how learning,

learning, how it is influencing your your influencing is it how learning, or quorum members what you are are you what members quorum or

standards, share with your parents parents your with share standards, or quorum members what you are are you what members quorum or

After studying and applying these these applying and studying After standards, share with your parents parents your with share standards,

After studying and applying these these applying and studying After

▪▪▪

. self-reflective. self-reflective. .

do the same: the do

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Aaronic Priesthood holder in the Philippines Aaronic 2. Act: Priesthood holder in Guatemala Aaronic Priesthood holder in the United States Aaronic activity, you follow your plan and write write and plan your follow you activity, about youryour thoughts and feelings experiences. get to goal a set would we that decided planning liked really We jog. and together on working group, a as and, together this fit.” becoming more physically read the scriptures and pray helped me me helped pray and scriptures the read really It focused. stay and time make to the felt I and me, for difference a made Spirit as I did it.” It’s a good process to go through.” It’s . study. scripture nal where you can be .

For the Strength of of Strength the For For the Strength of of Strength the For tates tates

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Atonement and repentance from from repentance and Atonement

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Atonement and repentance from from repentance and Atonement

1. What do you learn about the the about learn you do 1. What

tions in a notebook or journal: or notebook a in tions

your answers to the following ques- following the to answers your

and write write and in For the Strength of Youth, of Strength the For

1. What do you learn about the the about learn you do 1. What

Read the section titled “Repentance” “Repentance” titled section the Read

tions in a notebook or journal: or notebook a in tions

▪▪▪ your answers to the following ques- following the to answers your

and write write and in For the Strength of Youth, of Strength the For

Read the section titled “Repentance” “Repentance” titled section the Read

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Learn

Live WorthiLy Live

Learn Live WorthiLy Live

This portion of the activity portion This

ment, and personal worthiness? personal and ment,

standards and to help others do the same. the do others help to and standards

standards and to help others do the same. the do others help to and standards in these sections, and write what you will do to live these these live to do will you what write and sections, these in

that will help you live worthily. Study the standards standards the Study worthily. live you help will that Youth in these sections, and write what you will do to live these these live to do will you what write and sections, these in

Choose at least three other sections from from sections other three least at Choose that will help you live worthily. Study the standards standards the Study worthily. live you help will that Youth

the temple and participate in sacred ordinances. sacred in participate and temple the

Choose at least three other sections from from sections other three least at Choose

▪▪▪ bers. Discuss how repentance will help you prepare to enter enter to prepare you help will repentance how Discuss bers.

the temple and participate in sacred ordinances. sacred in participate and temple the Discuss your answers with your parents or quorum mem- quorum or parents your with answers your Discuss

▪▪▪

bers. Discuss how repentance will help you prepare to enter enter to prepare you help will repentance how Discuss bers.

3. What is the relationship between repentance, the Atone- the repentance, between relationship the is 3. What Discuss your answers with your parents or quorum mem- quorum or parents your with answers your Discuss

2. How does repentance help you grow spiritually? grow you help repentance does 2. How

3. What is the relationship between repentance, the Atone- the repentance, between relationship the is 3. What

2. How does repentance help you grow spiritually? grow you help repentance does 2. How

more” (D&C 58:42). (D&C more”

remember them no no them remember forgiven, and I, the Lord, Lord, the I, and forgiven,

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his sins, the same is is same the sins, his

“He who has repented of of repented has who “He

more” (D&C 58:42). (D&C more”

remember them no no them remember

forgiven, and I, the Lord, Lord, the I, and forgiven,

his sins, the same is is same the sins, his “He who has repented of of repented has who “He Aaronic Priesthood holder in the Philippines Aaronic Aaronic Priesthood holder in the United United the in holder Priesthood Aaronic Priesthood holder in Guatemala Aaronic 1. Learn: guides your efforts to learn about a gospel gospel a about learn to efforts your guides includes It duty. priesthood a or principle plan of your a instruction for you to make have learned. own based on what you do you before duties priesthood your them. with things that could really help me as as me help really could that things with an individual.” and I did these scriptures and praying, am I them. doing still am and things preparing to serve a mission.”