Why does God give authority to His children? Doctrine and Covenants 107 illustrates that priesthood authority provides structure for our discipleship, encouraging us to emulate the Savior and helping us to support one another in that process. The higher priesthood is called the Melchizedek Priesthood “because Melchizedek was such a great high priest” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:2; see also Alma 13:14-19), but it was originally called “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:3; see also Alma 13:1-2, 7, 9, 16). Church councils are to make decisions in accordance with divine attributes (Doctrine and Covenants 107:30-31; see also 2 Peter 1:5-8). And we are strengthened as we uphold one another in our callings and responsibilities (Doctrine and Covenants 107:22).
Doctrine and Covenants 107 is a long revelation — 100 verses — but it divides neatly into five sections:
- The power and authority of the two priesthoods: Melchizedek and Aaronic (v. 1-20)
- Duties of general church leaders: the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Seventy (v. 21-40)
- The history of priesthood authority from Adam to Noah (v. 41-57)
- Duties of quorum presidents: deacons, teachers, priests, elders, seventies, and the President of the Church (v. 58-98)
- A final admonition for everyone to learn and fulfill their duty (v. 99-100)
Doctrine and Covenants 106 and 108 can serve as case studies for this principle. In section 106, Warren Cowdery (Oliver’s older brother) is called as a presiding high priest. The Lord tells him that he should dedicate all of his time to this calling, “seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness” (v. 3), and the Lord reassures him, “notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me” (v. 7). In section 108, Lyman Sherman is given more information about his current calling as a seventy. The Lord instructs him to “be more careful … in observing [his] vows” (v. 3), to “wait patiently” (v. 4), and to “strengthen [his] brethren in all [his] conversation, in all [his] prayers, in all [his] exhortations, and in all [his] doings” (v. 7).
For Warren and Lyman — and for all of us — church assignments and priesthood authority provide opportunities to become more Christlike as we strive to represent Him and do His work.
Here are some of my favorite passages from these revelations with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. God will help us manage our time as we put Him first.
Doctrine and Covenants 106:2-3
And should preach my everlasting gospel, and lift up his voice and warn the people, not only in his own place, but in the adjoining counties;
And devote his whole time to this high and holy calling, which I now give unto him, seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.
Blog Posts
📄 “All These Things”
Focus on the work you need to do, trusting that God will provide “all things necessary” to be successful.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 13:33
2. God wants us to be a light.
Doctrine and Covenants 106:8
And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen.
Blog Posts
📄 Be a Light
Visualize positive outcomes, see things accurately, and focus on actionable next steps.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 21:6
3. God’s priesthood creates a community of consecrated disciples.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:1-3, 18-19
There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church–
To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
Blog Posts
📄 His Holy Order
An order is special kind of community, in which members commit to abide by certain standards of behavior and support one another in their efforts to be more holy.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 6:2-3
📄 Without Beginning of Days or End of Years
When we exercise priesthood authority or power, we are acting on behalf of God and doing something of eternal significance.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 13:8-9, 14-19
📄 “After the Order of His Son”
When we operate according to divine patterns, we lead the people we serve closer to the Savior.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 13:1-2, 7; Helaman 8:18
4. Parents should bless their children, and children should honor their parents.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:53-54
Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.
And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
Blog Posts
📄 Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Be a good patriarch or matriarch by being involved in your children’s lives, understand their goals and challenges, and provide meaningful encouragement and advice.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 4:3-12
📄 The Ancient of Days
We should honor our first parents, Adam and Eve, just as we honor our immediate parents.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 5:11; 2 Nephi 2:15, 25; 2 Nephi 9:9; Mosiah 16:3; Alma 12:26; Alma 42:2, 7; Helaman 5:6; Helaman 6:26; Ether 8:25
5. We need to be proactive in understanding and fulfilling our responsibilities.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:99-100
Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.
Blog Posts
📄 Duty
Learn your duty, and then act with all diligence to fulfill it.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 1:17; Mosiah 13:30; Alma 4:19; Alma 7:22
6. Open your heart to receive counsel from church leaders.
Doctrine and Covenants 108:1
Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.
Blog Posts
📄 Receive Counsel
Remember that your perspective is limited and that you can benefit from the wisdom and guidance of other people.
Book of Mormon connection: Jacob 4:10; Alma 39:10
7. God wants us to feel a responsibility for the spiritual well-being of others.
Doctrine and Covenants 108:7
Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.
Blog Posts
📄 “Strengthen Thy Brethren”
Strengthen other people through conversations, prayers, exhortations, and activities.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 15:18
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- How can I “separate [myself] from the crafts of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 106:6)?
- What truths about priesthood power can I learn from Doctrine and Covenants 107? (See President Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” October 2019 general conference.)
- What does it mean for the Melchizedek priesthood to have the privilege “to have the heavens opened unto them” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:18-19)? (See President Emily Belle Freeman, “Live Up to Your Privileges,” October 2024 general conference.)
- How can we uphold our church leaders by our “confidence, faith, and prayers” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:22)? How does this relate to the admonition to receive their words “in all patience and faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 21:5)?
- What lessons can we learn from the priesthood lineage outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 107:41-57?
- How can I be more “careful … in observing [my] vows” (Doctrine and Covenants 108:3)?
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