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“To Have the Heavens Opened”
The Lord leads His Church through priesthood authority.
From Come, Follow Me:
As you have studied the Restoration of the gospel, you probably noticed that the Lord doesn’t usually explain a doctrine fully in one revelation. Instead, He reveals things “line upon line” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:12) when circumstances require it. Although the Lord had previously given instruction about the priesthood as early as 1829...He gave additional instruction to the Saints in 1835 about specific priesthood offices needed to govern and guide His growing flock.
Here the Lord teaches us about an ancient priesthood order that was “instituted in the days of Adam” (verse 41).
“The priesthood is the power and authority of God, which He gives to us to help carry out His work of salvation...The Lord has given His priesthood to chosen servants since the days of Adam. Because the priesthood is given to worthy men by the laying on of hands and a record is kept of those ordinations, priesthood holders today can trace their line of authority back to Joseph Smith, who received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Apostles of Jesus Christ.” (The Source of Priesthood Authority)
“Since ancient times, holders of the priesthood of God have recorded their priesthood line of authority...For holders of the priesthood today, tracing back a personal priesthood line of authority to the Savior is unique to the restored gospel.” (Members Can Request Priesthood Line of Authority - Church News and Events)
To request a priesthood line of authority, read Request a Priesthood Line of Authority, which states:
“A Melchizedek Priesthood line of authority may be requested for:
Doctrine and Covenants 107:1–20
Priesthood ordinances provide spiritual and temporal blessings to all of Heavenly Father’s children.
From Come, Follow Me:
Elder Neil L. Andersen taught: “The priesthood is the power and authority of God given for the salvation and blessing of all—men, women, and children… As we are worthy, the ordinances of the priesthood enrich our lives on earth and prepare us for the magnificent promises of the world ahead”...What are you doing to more fully receive—and help others receive—those blessings?
Being able to participate in family history and temple work is truly a blessing. Do you realize the power and blessings you can receive by participating in family history and temple work?
“Both family history and the blessings of the temple can be meaningful in our lives, but the real power comes when we combine them. It is not just randomly mixing two things together; rather, the one helps direct the other...I promise protection for you and your family as you take this challenge to find as many names to take to the temple as ordinances you perform in the temple and to teach others to do the same.
If you accept this challenge, blessings will begin to flow to you and your family...You will find not only protection from the temptation and ills of the world, but you will also find personal power—power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family members to each other and heal that which needs healing.” (Dale G. Renlund, Family History and Temple Blessings)
How will you choose to participate in family history and temple work so you may receive these blessings?
There are many ways to participate in family history and temple work. Family history experiences are most successful when you personalize the time to what interests you or your family. To identify where you should start, decide what you want to accomplish or where you want to begin. If you are uncertain, here are a few suggestions:
Start or continue indexing as a family or individual. You will be helping yourself and others to be able to find ancestors in the records you index. To learn how to begin, see Get Started at FamilySearch. If you prefer, find a specific project by looking at Indexing Overview on FamilySearch.
You may also review FamilySearch Project 5 in The Family History Guide to find out how to get started, manage batches, and set goals. Need some additional help? How to Get Started with Indexing Online gives you five simple steps to get started with indexing.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:41–57
The priesthood blesses families.
From Come, Follow Me:
Adam wanted his posterity to be blessed by the priesthood. What promises did he receive? (see verses 42, 55). As you read about what Adam did, consider your own desires for your family to enjoy the blessings of the priesthood. What are you inspired to do to help your family receive these blessings?
Blessings of the Priesthood
As a family, discuss how the priesthood can bless your lives. You may want to read Bruce R. McConkie’s talk The Ten Blessings of the Priesthood, Robert D. Hales talk Blessings of the Priesthood or Blessings of the Priesthood for All: An Inseparable Connection with the Priesthood for additional ideas. What blessings have you experienced individually or as a group? How have these blessings strengthened your family and your testimonies? You may want to record these in individual journals, a family journal, or an audio recording.
From Come, Follow Me:
How can we strengthen each other in our conversations? in our prayers? in our exhortations, or encouragement? in all our doings? You might choose one of these to work on as a family.
What are some ways you can strengthen your family? "[T]raditions can influence generations for hundreds and even thousands of years, it is critical that we establish traditions of righteousness. A decision you make today to establish a righteous family tradition can have lasting effects on generations to come." (The Traditions of Our Fathers, Brent H. Nielson)
Discuss some of the holidays your family celebrates. What traditions does your family have for each holiday? What other unique traditions do you have--such as for birthdays, graduations, baptisms or other events? Have any of these traditions been passed down from prior generations? Which ones and why have they continued? Discuss how these traditions help bring you closer and make you ber as a family?
Traditions are fun events in family life. After discussing your family traditions in the above activity, select some of your favorites. Choose one and make a home movie of this fun family tradition.
Note: President Nelson encouraged us to do the following for six months, but it may be a wonderful opportunity to carry this invitation through your study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year:
“As you study your scriptures for the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life." (President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail, October 2020 General Conference)
Suggestion for journaling this week: Find the promises in Doctrine and Covenants 106-108. Write or audio-record about their influence in your life, and share with your family.