CHAPTER IX

Priesthood

God is at the Helm--Distinction Between Keys of the Priesthood and Priesthood--Conferring the Priesthood--An Authoritative Declaration--The Church Not Man-made--What is the Priesthood?--The Priesthood--Definition, Purpose and Power--Mission of the Priesthood--What are the Keys of the Priesthood?--Sanctity of the Ordinances of the Priesthood--On Church Government--A Blessing and an Explanation of the Priesthood--The Privilege of the Priesthood to Bless--The Priesthood Greater than Any of its Offices--Necessity of Organization--Acceptance of the Priesthood a Serious matter--How Authority Should be Administered--Authority Gives Enduring Power--Ministry Should Know its Duties and the Use of Authority--How Officers in the Church are Chosen--A Word to Bishops--Jurisdiction of Quorums of Priesthood--Jurisdiction in Stakes and Wards--Duties of Those Engaged in the Ministry--The Purpose and the Duty of the Church: Qualities of Leaders--Leaders Must be Courageous--Duties of Officers of the Church--Truth Will Unite Us--Words to Church Officers--Officers to Set the Example--Duty of the Holy Priesthood--How to Vote on Church Propositions--Order of Voting for Officers of the Church--Officers Dependent on Voice of People--Nearly All Male Members Hold the Priesthood; Responsibility--Many hold the Melchizedek Priesthood--Priesthood Quorums' Responsibilities--What is Priesthood?--Where and How Counsel Should be Sought--Parents Should be Consulted--Proper use of Titles of the Priesthood--All Officers of the Priesthood Necessary and Should be Respected--Checks Upon Church Members--The Priesthood Should Know Section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants--Who is Fit to Preside?--Obligations of the Priesthood--How Honor for Those Who Bear the Priesthood is Begotten--Priesthood Membership Rolls--All Should Exercise Their Authority--The Leaders in Israel--A Testimony of Joseph Smith and His Successors--Goodness of the Leaders of the Church--Divine Missions of Presidents of the Church--The Presidents of the Church Have Been Inspired--When to Organize the First Presidency--First Presidency Not Necessarily Apostles--The Priesthood and Its Offices--Authority of the President of the Church--Relation of Members of First Presidency--Duties of Apostles--Testimony of the Apostles--The Presiding Bishopric--When to Submit Questions to the General Authorities--No Need to Point Out Defects of Church Leaders--Help the General Authorities--Temporal Support of General Authorities--A Blessing Upon Stake Presidencies and Other Officers--Counsel to Stake Presidents and Bishops--Duties of Stake Presidents--Duty of High Councils--Duties of Patriarchs--Duties of High Priests--Duties of High Priests' Quorums--Duty of High Priests--Purpose and Duties of Seventies--Duty of Seventies--Duties of Seventies--Seventies' Quorums to be Replenished from Elders' Quorums--Elders to Proclaim Gospel--Duties of Elders--Authority of the Bishops and Other Presiding Officers--Duties of Bishops--Bishops and Lesser Priesthood Should be Active--Duties of the Lesser Priesthood--Lesser Priesthood--The Work of the Bishopric--Dignity of Teachers' Calling--Value of Teachers' Work--The Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood--Tribute to Heber C. Kimball--Tribute to Erastus Snow--Purpose of Visits of Church Leaders