Six years ago, in the October 2019 women’s session of general conference, President Nelson said to all the women, “I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with Doctrine and Covenants sections 84 and 107.” This week, we will be studying the first of those powerful revelations on the oath and covenant of the priesthood and how it holds truths relevant to all of God’s children.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
D&C 84:80 (Preaching comes with protection)
D&C 84:85 (It will be given you)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
D&C 84:39 (The Oath and the Covenant of the Priesthood)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
D&C 84:1-5 (Temple Promises)
D&C 84:6-16 (Priesthood line of authority)
D&C 84:17-32 (Description of the priesthood)
CR: Exodus 19-20
D&C 84:20-21 (Godliness is in the ordinances)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
D&C 25:10,16 (Seek for things of a better world)
D&C 84 section heading (Season of joy)
Words of the General Authorities:
Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.
How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man. Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men have access to “all the spiritual blessings of the church” or, we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children.
Now a little word of warning. There are those who would undermine your ability to call upon the power of God. There are some who would have you doubt yourself and minimize your stellar spiritual capacity as a righteous woman.
Most certainly, the adversary does not want you to understand the covenant you made at baptism or the profound endowment of knowledge and power you have received or will receive in the temple—the house of the Lord. And Satan certainly does not want you to understand that every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having “charge over” you.
As a righteous, endowed Latter-day Saint woman, you speak and teach with power and authority from God. Whether by exhortation or conversation, we need your voice teaching the doctrine of Christ. (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures”, October 2019 General Conference)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
D&C 84:6,31-34 (Sons of Moses)
D&C 84:35-42 (Receiving the priesthood)
Words of the General Authorities:
It is interesting that in the oath and covenant of the priesthood, the Lord uses the verbs obtain and receive. He does not use the verb ordain. It is in the temple that men and women--together--obtain and receive the blessings and power of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. (Paul B. Pieper, “The Realities of Mortality”, BYU-Idaho Devotional delivered on 19 February 2013)
You won’t find this process spelled out in any manual. The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutor as you seek to understand what the Lord would have you know and do. This process is neither quick nor easy, but it is spiritually invigorating. What could possibly be more exciting than to labor with the Spirit to understand God’s power—priesthood power? (Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures”, October 2019 General Conference)
Endowed, covenant-keeping women have direct access to priesthood power for their own lives. We can receive revelation, be blessed and aided by the ministering of angels, learn to part the veil that separates us from our Heavenly Father, be strengthened to resist temptation, be protected, and be enlightened and made smarter than we are—all without any mortal intermediary. (Sheri L. Dew, “Women and the Priesthood: What One Latter-day Saint Woman Believes”)
Quotes:
The overarching and ultimate purpose of the priesthood is to make salvation and exaltation possible for all of God’s children. Every time priesthood keys are used or a priesthood ordinance is performed, it is for the purpose of saving and exalting God’s children.
I am grateful to the Lord for establishing a Church in a hierarchical structure that allows worthy men to be ordained to offices of the priesthood and exercise His power and authority on the earth. (Barbara Morgan Gardner, “The Priesthood Power of Women”)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
D&C 84:85 (It will be given you)
D&C 84:106 (Strengthen your friends)
D&C 84:88 (God is always there)
God’s Friends Scripture Chain:
D&C 84:63,77
Exodus 33:11
James 2:23
D&C 88:3,62,117,133
D&C 93:45,51
D&C 94:1
D&C 97:1
D&C 98:1
D&C 103:1
D&C 104:1
D&C 105:26
Translations:
Friend = rayah - close companion; bonded (Hebrew)
Words of the General Authorities:
Jesus Christ has long called His faithful followers His friends. Fourteen times in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Savior uses the term friend to define a sacred and cherished relationship. I am not talking about the word friend as the world defines it—subject to social media followers or “likes.” It cannot be captured in a hashtag or a number on Instagram or X. (David L. Buckner, “Ye Are My Friends”, October 2024 General Conference)
View transcript here.