Lesson Helps

FHE: Aaronic Priesthood

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Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read "Counsel to Young Men," by Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 2009, 49-52.

Thought:

The priesthood is something you cannot see nor hear nor touch, but it is a real authority and a real power.

(Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel to Young Men," Ensign, May 2009, 49-52.)

Song:

"The Priesthood Is Restored" Children's Songbook, p. 89.

Scripture:

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 (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1).

Object Lesson:

Tell your family to imagine that there is a new car in the driveway that they can use. Describe the details of the car (horsepower, rate of acceleration, body design, engine size, etc.). State that no matter how powerful the car is, it won't work unless you have the proper keys.

Explain that priesthood power must also come through the proper authority (keys) in order to function correctly.

Discuss where the authority for the Aaronic Priesthood came from.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], 56.)

Story:

When I was approaching my 18th birthday and preparing to enter military service near the close of World War II, I was recommended to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. Mine was the task of telephoning my stake president, Paul C. Child, for an appointment and interview. He was one who loved and understood the holy scriptures. It was his intent that all others should similarly love and understand them. Knowing from others of his rather detailed and searching interviews, my telephone conversation with him went something like this:

"Hello, President Child. This is Tom Monson. I have been asked by the bishop to seek an interview with you."

"Fine, Brother Monson. When can you visit me?"

Knowing that his sacrament meeting time was six o'clock, and desiring minimum exposure of my scriptural knowledge to his review, I suggested, "How would Sunday at five o'clock be?"

His response: "Oh, Brother Monson, that would not provide us sufficient time to peruse the scriptures. Could you please come at two o'clock, and bring with you your personally marked and referenced set of scriptures."

Sunday finally arrived, and I visited President Child's home on Indiana Avenue. I was greeted warmly, and then the interview began. He said, "Brother Monson, you hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Have you ever had angels minister to you?"

My reply was: "No, President Child."

"Do you know," said he, "that you are entitled to such?" Again came my response: "No."

Then he instructed, "Brother Monson, repeat from memory the thirteenth section of the Doctrine and Covenants."

I began, "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels. . . ." (D&C 13:1.)

"Stop," President Child directed. Then in a calm, kindly tone he counseled: "Brother Monson, never forget that as a holder of the Aaronic Priesthood, you are entitled to the ministering of angels." It was almost as if an angel were in the room that day. I have never forgotten the interview. I yet feel the spirit of that solemn occasion. I revere the priesthood of Almighty God. I have witnessed its power. I have seen its strength. I have marveled at the miracles it has wrought.

(Thomas S. Monson, Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994].)

Activity:

Write two sets of the following words on different colored paper or with different colored pens (space the letters apart enough to cut between them). AARONIC, BAPTISM, DEACON, TEACHER, POWER, MAGNIFY, PRIEST. Cut the words apart and put into two envelopes.

Divide the family into two teams and give each team one of the envelopes containing the letters. Give them these instructions:

  1. Your job is to make words out of these scrambled letters.
  2. Each envelope contains seven words that have something to do with the priesthood.
  3. All the letters in each word are the same color.
  4. All team members may work together on the same word or you may organize so that different people are working on each word. On the word GO, dump the letters out and start working. The team that correctly spells all seven words first wins.

(Adapted from Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun For Family Night: Church History Edition, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1993], 83.)

Refreshment

Nachos

  • Tortilla chips
  • Shredded cheddar cheese

Other ingredients of your choice:

  • Browned ground meat or shredded cooked chicken
  • Sliced or chopped jalapeno peppers (these come in jars and can be found in the Mexican food section of your market)
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Salsa
  • Sliced black olives
  • Chopped green onion (white part and the green tops)

Arrange tortilla chips on a cookie sheet. Top chips with cheese and other ingredients of your choice. Cook under the broiler until the cheese melts. Serve alone or with guacamole or sour cream.
(Clark L. and Kathryn H. Kidd, 52 Weeks of Recipes for Students, Missionaries, and Nervous Cooks, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007], p. 43.)

Click here to download the pdf version of this lesson.

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