Worth Celebrating

Many occasions are important to remember, and one of special significance to Latter-day Saint teenagers is May 15, 1829. On that day, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and bestowed on them the Aaronic Priesthood.

Today, all over the world, thousands of deacons, teachers, and priests in the Aaronic Priesthood and thousands of Beehives, Mia Maids, and Laurels in Young Women are still blessed by the restoration of that priesthood.

The Aaronic Priesthood trains young men in leadership, gospel knowledge, and priesthood responsibilities. Young Women receive similar opportunities to learn and grow and to meet with and work with the Young Men. Service given by both organizations blesses the lives of thousands more.

The restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood came in response to prayer. Joseph and Oliver were translating the Book of Mormon when they read a passage in 3 Nephi on the subject of baptism. They went out into the woods and knelt down, asking Heavenly Father for greater understanding. Oliver describes what happened: “On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the Gospel of repentance” (JS—H 1:71, note).

He ordained them, saying, “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness” (JS—H 1:69; see also D&C 13).

This May, take time to share with us what the Aaronic Priesthood means to you. You could tell us what you do to honor the priesthood, what you did to commemorate its restoration, or how Young Men and Young Women give service to others where you live. Write to us at newera@ldschurch.org.