What role does the priesthood play in preparing us to be with God? Doctrine and Covenants 84 helps us answer that question. It explains how priesthood keys held by Moses and his brother Aaron unlock spiritual treasures and help us prepare the world for the return of Jesus Christ.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, men hold priesthood offices like deacon, teacher, and bishop (Doctrine and Covenants 84:29-30). But priesthood power—called in this revelation “the power of godliness”—is received and exercised by men and women as they participate in ordinances and make covenants with God. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-21.) That’s why President Russell M. Nelson urged women in the church to “study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power,” beginning with this section.
It’s a lengthy revelation—3,228 words, 120 verses—and it covers a large number of topics. Here is a list of major concepts discussed in the section:
- Introduction: This is God’s word, to help you build the New Jerusalem, beginning with the temple. (v. 1-5)
- Priesthood power is intergenerational (“without beginning of days or end of years”). Moses received it from prior generations, all the way back to Adam. (v. 6-17)
- There are two priesthoods, represented by Moses and his brother Aaron. The greater priesthood (Moses) holds the key of the knowledge of God, which unlocks the power of godliness. The lesser priesthood (Aaron) holds “the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel.” (v. 18-30)
- The priesthood is received by an oath and covenant. We promise to receive God; He promises to give us everything He has. (v. 31-42)
- The Spirit gives light and truth to everyone. Some receive it, while others remain in darkness. Your minds have been darkened when you have treated lightly the things which you have received. (v. 43-59)
- Share your testimony with the world. God will be with you as you share your light with others, regardless of how receptive they may or may not be. (v. 60-95)
- When Jesus returns to the earth, we will sing a hymn of praise and gratitude. (v. 96-102)
- Instructions for missionaries: Be generous. Share with your family, with the church, and the poor. Serve with people who can learn from you. Be willing to travel. (v. 103-117)
- Conclusion: Jesus will shake the heavens and the earth and will come and reign with us. (v. 118-120)
Here are some of my favorite passages from this revelation with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. God’s transformational power can sanctify us.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:17-20
Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.
And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
Blog Posts
📄 What Is the Priesthood?
People who exercise faith, repent, and work righteousness become “high priests forever.” They are sanctified, their garments are washed white through the blood of the Lamb, and they ultimately enter into the rest of God
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 13:7, 13
📄 The Power of Godliness
God makes His transformational power available to us as we participate in ordinances and make covenants with Him.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 13:11-12
2. God can help us find peace.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:23-24
Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
Blog Posts
📄 Sanctified
The Savior not only compensates for the effects of our sins but also helps us to become sinless. His Atonement can both justify and sanctify each of us.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 27:20; Moroni 10:32-33
📄 Rest
We can enter “the rest of the Lord,” meaning that we can find stability and peace in life.
Book of Mormon connection: Jacob 1:7
3. The priesthood brings both obligations and blessings.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-39
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 of 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.
Blog Posts
📄 The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
When we receive the priesthood, we take upon ourselves obligations to serve others, even in ways that may be difficult. But we have the Lord’s promise that we will be strengthened to fulfill those obligations.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 26:15-17; Moroni 9:6
📄 He [or She] That Receiveth You…
By respecting God’s servants and paying attention to their words, we demonstrate that we respect Him and are willing to heed His words.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 12:1
4. We need to receive and follow God’s word.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:43-44
And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
Blog Posts
📄 Every Word
Don’t be picky consumer of spiritual nourishment.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:22-25
5. God’s light is available to everyone.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:46
And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
Blog Posts
📄 Enlightened
God can not only reveal information to us; He can also help us improve our ability to acquire knowledge and to use it wisely.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:16
6. Don’t treat revelation lightly.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:54
And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
Blog Posts
📄 A Light Thing
Overemphasizing trivial things can create unnecessary anxiety. But trivializing things that really are important can be much more dangerous.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 19:7; 2 Nephi 33:2
📄 Then Shall the Greater Things Be Made Manifest unto Them
When we receive knowledge willingly and apply it faithfully, God entrusts us with more knowledge.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 26:9-10
📄 “Above the Brightness of the Sun”
The Savior’s light is brighter than the sun; it can chase away all the darkness in our minds and hearts.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 1:9
7. God will help us overcome fatigue.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:80
And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athirst.
Blog Posts
📄 Be Not Weary
Keep working toward eternal goals and fulfilling divinely-appointed responsibilities, even when you feel tired or discouraged.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 37:34
8. Be prepared to share your testimony.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:85
Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.
Blog Posts
📄 “In the Very Hour”
It’s better to be prepared than to have a plan. Plans are brittle; preparation is resilient and adaptable.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 2:4; 1 Nephi 3:2-5; 1 Nephi 5:10-19; 1 Nephi 19:23
📄 Ready to Give an Answer
Be prepared to answer questions about your faith, whenever they come
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 17:2-3
9. God is with us as we do His work.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:88
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for 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.
Blog Posts
📄 “I Will Go Before Thee”
God will go before us as we step into an uncertain future.
Book of Mormon connection: Ether 1:42
📄 Heavenly Help
God sends angels to help us accomplish His work
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 4:24; Alma 9:25; Alma 38:7; Alma 10:10
📄 I Will Be Their Rearward
We are never alone when we are fulfilling an assignment from God.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 21:28-29
10. Don’t be timid in fulfilling your God-given responsibilities.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:94
Nevertheless, search diligently and spare not; and wo unto that house, or that village or city that rejecteth you, or your words, or your testimony concerning me.
Blog Posts
📄 Spare Not
Share the gospel wholeheartedly, holding nothing back.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 22:2.
11. Good will ultimately prevail over evil.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:117-118
And verily I say unto you, the rest of my servants, go ye forth as your circumstances shall permit, in your several callings, unto the great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days.
For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall tremble.
Blog Posts
📄 What Is the “Abomination of Desolation?”
Abominations lead to desolation, but God can restore desolate places and desolate people who turn to Him and seek to be close to Him again.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 10:6-7; 3 Nephi 22:1, 3
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What is the significance of Moses’ priesthood line of authority? (v. 6-17)
- How is the power of godliness manifest through ordinances? (v. 20-21)
- In what way is the Book of Mormon a “new covenant?” (v. 57)
- What is the significance of the quotations from the Gospels in this revelation?
- What is the message of the millenial hymn? (v. 99-102)
- How does the bishop “humble the rich and the proud?” (v. 112)
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