Elder Merrill J. Bateman
Of the Presidency of the Seventy
It is expected that worthy holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood will use the power delegated to them to bless others, starting with their own families.
 |
One of the remarkable evidences
of the Restoration is the testimony of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
regarding the manner
in which the priesthood and its directing powers were returned to earth.
In each case, priesthood and priesthood keys were restored by divine messengers
who had held them in earlier times. John the Baptist brought back the Aaronic
Priesthood with the keys of repentance and baptism.1 Peter, James, and John
restored not only the Melchizedek Priesthood but also "the keys of [the]
kingdom."2 Moses and Elijah returned with the "gathering" and "sealing" keys.3
The events describing the return of the priesthood are remarkable in that
they conform precisely with the biblical pattern of priesthood restoration
in earlier dispensations. For example, consider the restoration and transfer
of priesthood powers during the Savior's time.
Near the end of His ministry, Jesus promised
Peter "the keys of the
kingdom,"4 knowing that Jesus would soon leave and that priesthood keys
were needed by the Apostles if they were to direct the work after His ascension.
In order for them to receive the keys, Matthew records that Jesus took "Peter,
James, and John . . . up into an high mountain" where He "was transfigured
before them" and Moses and Elias "appeared unto them."5 Shortly
after this event, the Savior declared that the Apostles now had the keys
to direct the ministry.6 The Prophet Joseph Smith states that "the Savior,
Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James and John, on the mount, when
they were transfigured before him."7
The pattern of priesthood restoration described by Matthew is the same pattern
followed in our dispensation. Apostles and prophets designated by the Lord
to hold keys in earlier dispensations returned them to earth as this dispensation
began.
In contrast, 19th-century ministers in the Palmyra environs, not understanding
the great apostasy that had taken place, believed in an entirely different
process for priesthood reception. They believed that the power to preach
came through an inner calling to a priesthood of believers. They did not
understand the necessity of receiving the priesthood from a person in authority
by the laying on of hands.8 Also, they did not understand the purpose or
necessity of priesthood keys.
Priesthood Keys and Blessings
The priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man. Priesthood
keys are the right to direct the use of that power. The President of the
Church holds the keys necessary for governing the entire Church. His counselors
in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also hold
the keys of the kingdom and operate under the President's direction. Stake
presidents, bishops, and temple, mission, and quorum presidents are given
keys to guide the Church in their jurisdictions. Their counselors do not
hold keys but "receive delegated authority by calling and assignment."9
Priesthood and priesthood keys open the door to the blessings of the Atonement.
Through the power of the priesthood, people are baptized for the remission
of sins, made possible by the Savior's great act of mercy. A holder of the
Melchizedek Priesthood may confer the Holy Ghost. Through the bestowal of
the Holy Ghost, members are cleansed with fire, guided into truth, comforted,
sanctified, and blessed in many ways as partakers of the fruits of the Atonement.
The sealing authority may bind a man, a woman, and their children together
forever, making possible exaltations in the world to come—again, a blessing
from the Savior.
It is expected that worthy holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood will use
the power delegated to them to bless others, starting with their own families.
One of the great inheritances of the Restoration is that a father ordained
to the Melchizedek Priesthood has the right to bless his wife and children
when prompted and when a blessing is desired by them.
Many years ago, our family had an experience which left an indelible impression
as to the importance and value and power of a father's blessing. The lessons
learned may be of interest to you.
When our oldest children were ready to begin formal schooling, Sister Bateman
and I decided that a father's blessing would be given each child at the
beginning of the school year. The family home evening preceding the start
of school
would be the occasion. The year our oldest son, Michael, entered the third
grade holds special memories for us. During the preceding summer he had
participated in Little League baseball. He loved the sport. When we gathered
for family
home evening just before the start of school, Michael announced that he
did not need a blessing. He had completed his first season in Little
League,
and blessings were for younger children.
Sister Bateman and I were stunned. We encouraged him, suggesting that a
blessing would help him with his schoolwork. It would be a protection to
him. It would help him in his relations with his brothers, sisters, and friends.
Our encouragement, along with some coaxing, failed. He was too old. Believing
in the principle of agency, we were not about to force a blessing on an eight-year-old.
All of the children except Michael received a blessing that year.
The school year proceeded normally. Michael and the other children did well
in school, and the family enjoyed their associations together. Then the following
May arrived, and it was time for Little League baseball to begin. Following
the last day of school, Michael's coach called a team practice. Michael's
anticipation could not have been greater. His dream was about to be realized.
He was to be the starting catcher. The baseball diamond was only a few blocks
from our home. The boys and the coach walked to the baseball field, crossing
a busy highway. Following the practice, the boys and coach started for home.
Michael and a friend ran on ahead of the coach and the other boys. As the
two boys approached the busy highway, Michael failed to look and darted in
front of a car driven by a 16-year-old young man out for his first drive.
Can you imagine the fear that must have struck the young man's heart? He
slammed on the brakes and swerved in an attempt to miss the boy. Unfortunately,
the side of the front fender and bumper hit Michael and threw him down the
highway.
A short time later, Sister Bateman and I received a telephone call from
the police. Michael, in critical condition, was in an ambulance on his way
to the hospital. It was important that we hurry. Before leaving, I called
a friend and asked him to meet us at the hospital and assist in giving a
blessing. The 20-minute drive was the longest of our lives. We prayed fervently
for the life of our son and to know the will of the Lord.
As we parked the car by the door of the emergency room, we saw a policeman
exiting with a young man who was crying. The policeman recognized us and
introduced the young man as the driver of the car. We knew enough of the
story to put our arms around him and tell him that we knew it was not his
fault. We then entered the hospital to find Michael. As we entered his
room, the doctors and nurses were working feverishly, attending to his
needs. My
friend had arrived, and we asked if it would be possible to have two or
three minutes alone with him. My priesthood brother anointed, and I sealed.
As
I laid my hands upon Michael's head, a feeling of comfort and peace came
over me, words flowed, and promises were made. He was then rushed to the
operating room.
For the next four weeks, Michael lay in a hospital
bed with his head bandaged and his leg in traction. Each Wednesday, his Little
League teammates would
visit him after the game and give him a report. Each Wednesday, tears would
well up in Michael's eyes and run down his cheeks as the boys relived the
game. After four weeks in traction, Michael was put in a body cast from his
chest to his toes. On two or three occasions we took him to a game to watch
his friends play. Another four weeks passed, and the body cast was replaced
with a cast from his hip to his toes. Two days before school was to begin,
the final cast was removed. As the family gathered the next night for school
blessings, is there any wonder as to who wanted the first blessing? A nine-year-old
boy, a little older and a lot wiser, was first in line.
Over the years our children have come to understand that accidents are not
always prevented by priesthood blessings, but they also know that more
than one type of protection is available through the priesthood. Today,
our grandchildren are the recipients of priesthood blessings. The tradition
is in the second and third generations. We believe that this practice,
like the family, will prevail through the eternities.
I am so grateful that a 14-year-old boy, Joseph Smith, entered a grove of
trees asking to know which church is right. I will be eternally grateful
for the answer he received and the subsequent restoration of the priesthood
and its keys through John the Baptist; Peter, James, and John; and other
holy messengers. May we use this great power to bless all of God's children,
beginning with our own families, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ,
amen.
NOTES
1. See D&C 13; Joseph
Smith—History 1:68–72.
2. See D&C 27:12–13.
3. See D&C 110:11–16.
4. See Matthew 16:19.
5. Matthew
17:1–3.
6. See Matthew
18:18; D&C 7:7.
7. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976),
158.
8. See Milton V. Backman Jr., Christian Churches of America: Origins and Beliefs,
rev. ed. (1976, 1983), 54–55.
9. Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and
Auxiliary Leaders (1998), 161.
Previous
