There are only four Priesthood brethren that hold sacred Priesthood Keys in any one congregation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are the Deacon’s Quorum President, the Teacher’s Quorum President, the Elder’s Quorum President and the Bishop. Priesthood Keys are not spoken about very much in the Church and consequently not much is known about them. Even the scriptures are somewhat veiled on the matter in that the Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon do not have any specific references using the words “Priesthood Keys”. The Doctrine and Covenants lists about two dozen references but there aren’t many of those verses that provide much detail as to what those Keys are. Honorably holding the Priesthood is the power and authority to act in God’s name, while honorable holding Priesthood Keys is the power and authority to act in a leadership capacity in God’s name. Having had the opportunity to hold sacred Priesthood Keys on several occasions, and having pondered and prayed about the meaning of the phrase, below is a list of some of the Priesthood Keys as I have come to know them. Surely that there are more that righteous priesthood leaders will discover as they diligently magnify their callings in both the Levitical or Aaronic Priesthood and the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood and as they better understand the significance and power of sacred Priesthood Keys.
The Key of Leadership – The Lord will be by your side to help you lead those you have responsibilities to shepherd (D/C 84:88; Jarom 1:7).
The Keys of Inspiration and Revelation – The Holy Ghost will teach you all truth, and all things that you should do (2 Ne 32:5; Mor 10:5; Jn 14:16).
The Key to Conversion – You will have the ability to teach truths and have them confirmed by the Holy Ghost to the result of strengthening testimonies and converting souls – bringing God’s children back to Him and helping them make and keep sacred covenants (Matt 28:19; Acts 3:19).
The Key to the Scriptures – There will be new insight into the scriptures as you diligently study and ponder. This insight will aid you in your counseling and teaching; you will be able to unlock the words of God as written by His prophets and use them to teach God’s ways and the way to eternal life, regardless of circumstance (Jn 5:39; D/C 25:7).
The Key of Vision – You will be blessed with the ability to see bright futures of those you lead, especially as they more consistently apply the principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives; conversely, you will have the ability to see the not so bright futures of those that reject the principles and ordinances (AF 1:7; Prov 29:18).
The Key to Bless – You will be given power from on high to help others work through the trials of life and work out their own salvation by assisting them to know how the Savior’s Atonement will cover all of life’s injustices (Rom 12:14; Num 23:20).
The Key of Testimony – You will have a renewed and emboldened ability to proclaim without equivocation the knowledge of the Living Christ; of the restoration of His Gospel; of living prophets and apostles; and of the principles and truthfulness of the Lord’s doctrine and the reality of His Atonement (1 Cor 2:1-5; Ps 119:24).
The Key of Work – You will have the ability to delegate important aspects of the Lord’s work; to help people get to the temple and return often; to encourage more meaningful home and visiting teaching; to direct the brethren to magnify their priesthood responsibilities; to promote the sharing of the Gospel from all members; and to direct opportunities to give service to one another and outside the congregation (James 2:18; Jn 9:4).
The Key of Spirituality – You will have a unique ability to call down the powers of heaven to change lives, to testify with power, and to alter eternal destinies (1 Cor 2:13; Eph 1:13).
The Key of Discernment – You will be blessed to know the hearts of those you serve so that you can better determine their needs and priorities and how the Lord would want you to proceed (3 Ne 24:18; Mal 3:18; 1 Cor 2:14).
The Key of Repentance – Your testimony about the Atonement and how it blesses us will grow exponentially. Share the graciousness and readiness of the Lord’s merciful willingness to forgive and help people understand human weaknesses and God’s goodness; teach how repentance is the Lord’s process for the remission of sins (3 Ne 13:14; Isa 1:18-19; Luke 3:13).
The Key of Redemption – When you help people repent and they begin to feel better about themselves and closer to the Savior and their faith in Him and His Atonement increases. Their faith in His redemptive powers also expands. You will be instrumental in helping them make the connection between living gospel principles and having faith in Christ’s power to save (D/C 103:13; Psalms 130:7).
The Key of Godliness – You will be tutored by the Spirit to better understand the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and to learn of their ways; to understand the principles upon which Heaven operates and how we can be more like them (Isa 55:8; D/C 105:32).
The Key to the Temple – You will learn that helping those you serve get to the temple and return frequently is the key that will unlock faith, testimony, charity, purity, humility and more. A temple attending people are a Zion people and will taught from on high, and become more willing and able to help accomplish the purposes and life-missions they were sent to do (Jn 8:2; Hab 2:20; D/C 36:8).
The Keys of Love and Charity – The central message of the Savior’s earthy mission was one of love. You will come to a deeper understanding about the principle of love. You will learn that when people can feel the Savior’s love more abundantly in their lives they will be able to overcome any challenge and accomplish any endeavor set before them (Mor 10:21; 1 Jn 4:16; 1 Cor 13:1-13; Rom 13:10; Gal 5:14; James 2:8).
The Key to Progress – Some of those you lead will feel that their spiritual lives have plateaued or that they’re floundering. You will help them find their way back to the Iron Rod and help them to have a firmer grip as they move along the path leading them toward God and His love. You will be equipped to show them the steps that are necessary to be reacquainted with the iron rod and the principles that will keep them on the straight and narrow path (Alma 32:30, 32:37; 1 Ne 8:24).
The Key of Priority – Some people find chaos and confusion in their lives. Sometimes it is a result of conflicting priorities. You will have the ability to help people sort out their priorities and have order to their lives. When that happens spiritual growth will also (Matt 6:33; D/C 11:21, 46:8).
The Key to Create Unity – More growth and progress can be achieved as you bring more unity among those you serve (4 Ne 1-18; 3 Ne 28:10).
The Key to Increase Faith – You will have increased appreciation about faith being the first principle of the gospel. Lead by faith, teach faith, encourage faith in the face of every trial, every discouragement, and every challenge (Mor 7:22, 7:33; Eth 12:30, 12:7; Alma 13:28-30).
The Key to Prepare for the Second Coming – We live in the last days and should be preparing for the return of the Savior. The Book of Mormon was given to this dispensation to help us in that preparation. You can help those you have stewardship over be steadfast in their commitment to prepare for and look forward to this glorious event (D/C 34:6, 1:12; Matt 24:42; Alma 39:16).
Additional scripture verses that pertain to Priesthood Keys: D/C 6:28, 7:7, 27:12-13, 68:16-21, 82:2, 84:19, 84:26,
107:15-16/ 18/20/76, 107:70,113:6, 110:11/16 124:34/123/95, 128:11/20-21, 132:7/19/45/59/64, JS-H 1:69/72.
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