Duty to God Priest

8/9/2019 Duty to God Priest

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P r i e s t

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SpiritualStrengthThe Lord has admonished priesthood holders, "Beye clean"(D&C 38:42). In this section you will deepen your understand-ing of the relationship between personal worthiness and priest-hood power (see D&C 121:34-46). Youwill also make plans tostrengthen your habit ofregular prayer and scripture study,which includes studying the words of the living prophets.This section is organized into the following areas: Pray and Study the Scriptures Live Worthily Understand Doctrine

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PRAY AND STUDY THESCRIPTURESLearn Ponder the following questions, andconsider writing your answers in anotebook or study journal:

"Th ey we re m en of as ou nd u nde rst andi ngand th ey ha d s ea rchedthe s c rip tur es di lig ently ,that th e y m ight knowthe w o rd o f G od"(Al m a 17:2) .

1. What effect do consistent prayerand studying the scriptures haveon (a) your ability to keep thecommandments? (b) your relation-ship with your family? (c) your

relationship with God?2. What scripture passages are especially meaningful toyou? Why?

3. What specific things did you learn from the livingprophets in the most recent general conference? How hasfollowing this counsel blessed you?

On the next page, write your plans to have meaningfulprayer and scripture study during your years as a priest.Your scripture study could include the words of the livingprophets in the conference issues of the E nsign or L iahona .

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ActMy plan for strengthening my habit of regular prayer andscripture study:

Share Share what you are learning from your scripture study. Forexample, you could share with yourfamily, with friends, in seminary, orin quorum meetings. Make sharingwhat you learn a regular practice.This will strengthen your testimonyand help you learn how to teach thegospel. It will also strengthen thetestimony of others. Eac h t im e you study,

pr ay firs t fo r inspi ra t ionfrom the H ol y G ho s t.

C on s ider w r it in g d ow nth e im press ions you

rece ive .

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L IVE WORTHILY

Learn Read Doctrine and Covenants121:34-40, and identify the effect thatsin has on priesthood power. Contrastthe examples ofJoseph and David asfound in Genesis 39,4J and 2 Samuel11-12.Ponder how their actionsaffected their spiritual strength, and

share your thoughts with a parent or quorum leader. Discusswhat David could have done to avoid the tragedy that oc-curred in his life.

"W ha t m an n er o f m enoug h t ye t o be ? V eril yI say un to you , ev en asI a m " ( 3 N ep hi 27 :2 7) .

Prepare a lesson or a talk on how repentance and the Atone-ment can help us remain worthy as priesthood holders. Con-sider using Prea ch M y G ospel, pages 51-52; True to th e Faith,pages 14-21; or "The Living Christ" (see page 106of thisbook). With your parents or a priesthood leader, determinewhen and where you can give your talk or lesson, and writeyour plan on the next page.

Choose at least four sections from For th e Str ength of Youth tostudy and apply; choose sections that will help you live wor-thy to enter the temple and participate in sacred ordinances.

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ActMy plan to give a talk or lesson about repentance and theAtonement:

Sections from F or the Stre ngth of You th I will study:

Specific things Iwill do to live these standards and help othersdo the same:

Share Share with others how living thestandards in Fo r th e Stre ngth of Youthhas affected you and influenced thosearound you. Youcould share this withyour family, at church, or in seminary.

Consider s tudy ing"Language ," "S exua lP u rity ," "Hones t y," o r

"Ti thes an d O f fe r in g s " i nFo r the S t re n g th

o f Y o ut h.

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UNDERSTANDDOCTRINELearn Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:68.Part of your duty as a priest isto"expound all things concerning thechurch ofChrist." Review the listsof doctrinal topics you studied as adeacon and as a teacher (seepages 19

and 43).Thenwrite on the next page four ormore additionaltopics you will learn about and teach over the next two years(seepage 68).

"S ee k n ot to d ec la re m ywo rd , b ut firs t s ee k t oo b ta in m y wo rd , a n d t he nshal l yo ur to ng ue b eloosed " (D & C 1 1:21) .

For each ofthe topics you study, prepare lesson outlinesbased on the principles and techniques described in PreachMy Gospel (seechapters 2 and 3). Study the scriptures listed on page 19again. Reflect on yourexperiences and update your outline on "ThePriesthood andPriesthood Keys" (see page 18).Write about how your un-derstanding and appreciation ofthe priesthood has changed.

In preparation to become a full-time missionary, make a listof questions someone might ask about the topics you havestudied, and discuss these questions with aparent or priest-hood leader.

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ActDoctrinal topics I will study:

Share Using the outlines you have prepared, teach others aboutthese doctrinal topics. Youcould do this in family homeevening, in a quorum meeting, in a home teaching visit, inseminary, or in a teaching opportunity with the full-timemissionaries.

When I will teach about these topics:

A s y o u p re pare y ou rl es son ou t li nes, you m ay

w an t to a sk fo r a dv icefrom a full-tim e

m is sio na ry o r a r ec en tlyretu rn e d m i ss io nary .

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Doctrinal Topics The Godhead The Plan of Salvation The Atonement of Jesus Christ Prophets The Apostasy and the Restoration of the Gospel The Restoration of the Priesthood The Priesthood and Priesthood Keys Service Covenants and Ordinances Faith Repentance Baptism The Gift of the Holy Ghost Prayer and Personal Revelation Agency Temples Eternal Families and Family History Work The Law of Chastity The Word ofWisdom Tithing

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REVIEWNear the end of your years as a priest, talk with your parentsor a priesthood leader about your experiences accomplishingyour plans topray and study the scriptures, live worthily, andunderstand doctrine. Discuss how doing these things is help-ing you strengthen your testimony and your relationship withHeavenly Father.

MY SIGNATURE DATE

SIGNATURE OF A PARENT OR LEADER DATE

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Priesthood Duties

The Lord has said that every priesthood holder should "learnhis duty" and "act ... in all diligence" (D&C 107:99).This sec-tion will help you learn and fulfill your duties as a priest, whichare outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 20:46-52, 75-79 andwhich include all the duties of a deacon and a teacher (seepages23 and 46-47). Your duties can be organized into three groups:

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Administer Priesthood OrdinancesPriests officiate at the sacrament table and offer the sacra-mental prayers. They can prepare and pass the sacrament.They can also baptize, confer the Aaronic Priesthood, andordain deacons, teachers, and other priests . Serve OthersPriests assist the bishop in "administering ... temporalthings" (D&C 107:68). This may include gathering fast offer-ings, caring for the poor and needy, caring for the meeting-house and grounds, serving as amessenger for the bishop,and fulfilling other assignments from the bishop.

Invite All to Come unto ChristPriests "preach, teach, expound, exhort, ... and visit the houseofeach member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secretand attend to all family duties" (D&C20:46-47). One way todo this is by serving as a home teacher. Priests also continueto "see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardnesswith each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking"(D&C20:54).This responsibility includes being a peacemakerand being an example ofmoral integrity and uprightness.They continue to "warn, expound, exhort, and teach, andinvite all to come unto Christ" (D&C 20:59). This includessetting a good example, fellowshipping quorum membersand others, speaking in Church meetings, sharing the gospel,and bearing testimony.

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"T o h im w ill I g ive po w e rth a t he sha ll brea k br eadand b les s it and g ive itu nto the pe op le o f m ychurch " (3 Nephi 18 :5).

ADMINISTERPRIESTHOODORDINANCESLearn Read 3Nephi 18:1-11 and Matthew26:26-28. What do you learn fromthese verses about your duty to ad-minister the sacrament? Thoughtfully read the sacrament

prayers (see D&C 20:77, 79). Write down your thoughtsabout the meaning of the covenants and sacred words inthese prayers. On the next page, write your answers to these questions:1. Asyou officiateat the sacrament table,what can you do toset a good example for other Aaronic Priesthood holders?

2. What can you do to help make the sacrament a more mean-ingful experience for the members of the congregation?

Attend abaptismal service, and share with a parent or quo-rum leader what you learn about the ordinance ofbaptism.

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ActMyplan to set a good example for other Aaronic Priesthoodholders as I bless the sacrament:

My plan to help make the sacrament a more meaningful expe-rience for the members of the congregation:

Share After following through with yourplans, discuss with members of yourquorum how your experiences haveinfluenced your feelings about thesacrament and the Savior.

Younger Aa ron icP rie sth oo d h old ers w illlo ok to you as an

examp l e. As you m ak eyou r p lans, con s ide r howyo u r d re ss, app ea rance ,

and act ion s m ayinf luence th em .

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SERVE OTHERSLearn Think about the service you haveperformed in your years as a deaconand teacher, and answer the followingquestions:

"B y th is sha ll a ll m e nkno w th at ye are m ydisc ip les , if ye ha velo ve o ne to another"( Jo hn 1 3:35 ). 1. How did your attitude affect theservice you gave? (Review the

phrases you wrote on page 50.)2. How does service help you become less self-centered andmore aware of others' needs?

3. How were the people you served affected by yourservice?

4. What can you do as a priest to give more effective service? Read Matthew 22:36-40, John 13:34-35, and Mosiah 2:17,looking for reasons we serve others. Discuss with yourquorum the opportunities you have to serve others (askyour bishop or quorum leaders for ideas). List some specificthings your quorum will do to give service. Also planseveral things you will do on your own to serve your familyand others.

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ActMy quorum's plan to give service:

My personal plan to give service:

Share Share with a parent or quorum mem-bers some of your experiences servingothers. For example, you could talkabout how your service has affectedthe people you have served andhow your attitude has affected yourexperiences. Talk about how theseexperiences are helping you becomemore Christlike.

As you m a ke y o urpe rson al p lan , co nside r

w ay s yo u ca n s erve you rfami ly , yo u r f ri en ds, or

y ou r c omm u nity .

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INVITE ALL TO COMEUNTO CHRISTLearn Review the plan you made to becomea good home teacher (see page 53).Looking back on your home teachingefforts, what do you feel you havedone well? On the next page, writesome ways you want to improve.

Write your answers to the following questions, and discussthem with your parents or quorum members:

"0 ye th at em ba rk in th ese rvice o f G od , se e th a tye se rve h im w ith al lyou r h ea rt, m ig ht , m indand s tre ng th " (D&C 4: 2 ).

1. How does your example affect your ability to teach thegospel to others?

2. What can you do as a priest to teach the gospel throughyour actions as well as your words?

Continue in your efforts to share the gospel. Think aboutfamily members and friends whom you could invite to comeunto Christ. Write down their names and what you will doto help them. Include names of Aaronic Priesthood holderswho aren't actively participating in the Church.

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ActMy plan to improve as a home teacher:

Names ofpeople and how I will help them come unto Christ:

Share Share with your parents or a priest-hood leader the experiences you haveas you help others come unto Christ.Discuss how this is helping youprepare for a full-time mission andbecome a lifelong missionary.

You ca n h e lp peop lec om e u nto C hrist by

inv iting th em to co me tochu rch o r v is it w ith th e

m iss io na ries o r by gi v ingth em a copy o f the B oo k

o f Mo rmon .

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REVIEWNear the end of your years as a priest, talk with your parentsor a priesthood leader about your experiences accomplishingyour plans to administer priesthood ordinances, serve others,and invite all to come unto Christ. Discuss ways you wereable to bless others through your priesthood service. Talkabout how your experiences are helping you become a faithfulpriesthood servant.

MY SIGNATURE DATE

SIGNATURE OFA PARENT OR LEADER DATE

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FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH:

Family andFriendsAfter you have begun working on your plans in "SpiritualStrength" and "Priesthood Duties," create a project based onthe standards in the "Family" and "Friends" sections of Fo rth e St rength of Youth. Use the steps on the following pages as aguide. Your project should be challenging and should includea significant time commitment. It should also be based on yourown needs and interests. It should be focused on choosingfriends wisely and learning how to treat others, especially yourfamily members, in a Christlike way.

STEP 1: LEARNStudy Matthew 5-7 or 3 Nephi 12-14and make a list ofwhatthe Savior taught about how to treat others. Then find exam-ples in the scriptures where Christ or others exemplified someof these principles. Read "Family" and "Friends" in For theStrength of Youth, and find phrases that express these principles.Write your answers to the following questions, and share themwith your parents or quorum members:

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"A ll t hi ngs w ha tsoev e rye w ou ld tha t m enshou ld do to yo u,do y e e ven so to th em "(3 Nep hi 1 4:12) .

1. How is your priesthood servicedifferent when you love those youserve?

2. What experiences have you had inwhich someone showed Christlikelove for you?

3. How can you show your love forfamily members and others?

STEP 2: CREATE APROJECT

Create a project that will help you apply what you havelearned about loving others. It should include two parts:(1)plans to improve your relationship with your familyand (2) plans to be a better friend. Have a parent or leaderapprove your project before you begin working on it. Hereare some examples of things you could include in each partof your project:

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Examples-Family Make a list of ways you can help build a happy home. Baseyour list on the standards in the "Family" section of For theSt rength of Youth (for example, be cheerful, helpful, and con-siderate; be a peacemaker; and honor your parents). Do thosethings, and record the difference it makes in your home.

Plan an activity with a family member with whom youwould like to improve your relationship. For example, youcould take an interest in his or her hobbies, find a place totalk, or play games together.

Examples-Friends Make a list of things you can do to be a better friend. Forexamples, see the "Friends" section of For the Strength ofYouth. Do those things, and record the difference it makes inyour relationships. If appropriate, include names of specificpeople in your list. Interview a mother, grandmother, sister, or other woman tolearn about how to show proper respect to women. Make aplan to apply what you learn. Note how carrying out yourplan improves your relationship with women. Here are somequestions you might ask:1. How can a son show proper respect for his mother?2. How can an Aaronic Priesthood holder show properrespect for young women?

3. How can a young man show proper respect for his futurewife before and after they are married?

Invite a new convert, a friend of another faith, or a less-activemember to attend a Church activity with you. Help him orher feel welcome and included.

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My ProjectFamily

Friends

APPROVAL OFA PARENT OR LEADER

ESTIMATED DATEOF COMPLETION

MY SIGNATURE DATE COMPLETED

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STEP 3: REPORT YOUR EXPERIENCESIn the space below, write what you have learned from carryingout your project and how it has helped you become a better dis-ciple of Jesus Christ. Report on what you learned to your familyor quorum members.

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P r i e s t

Preparing toReceive theMelchizedekPriesthoodDuring your years as a priest, use the steps on the followingpages to create a project that will help you prepare to receivethe Melchizedek Priesthood and serve a full-time mission. Thisproject builds on what you have accomplished throughoutyour years as an Aaronic Priesthood holder. It should be chal-lenging and should include a Significant time commitment. Itshould also be based on your own needs and circumstances.

STEP 1:LEARNWhen you receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, you enter intothe oath and covenant of the priesthood. To learn about thisoath and covenant, read Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-44and "Melchizedek Priesthood" in Tr ue to the F ai th (pages101-2). Then, with help from your bishop or your parents,plan a time when you can teach others what you have learned

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(for example, in priests quorum meeting, sacrament meeting,or family home evening).One important duty of the Melchizedek Priesthood is to preachthe gospel (see D&C 53:3).To prepare for this duty, f ind outwhat will be required of you when you serve a full- time mis-sion. Consider the following:1. Personal worthiness and testimony.2. Gospel knowledge.3. Christlike attributes.4. Work habits and physical health.To learn about the requirements for missionary service, usethe following sources: your parents, your bishop, returnedmissionaries, the Missionary H andbook, Pr eac h M y G ospel, andtalks by General Authorities (some of these talks can be foundat DutytoGod.lds.org). Write down what you learn.

STEP 2: CREATE A PROJECTCreate a project that will help you apply what you've learned.It should include two parts: (1)preparation to receive theMelchizedek Priesthood and (2) preparation for a full-timemission. Have a parent or leader approve your project beforeyou begin working on it. Here are some examples of thingsyou could include in each part of your project:

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"T a ke u p on you mineordinat ion , eve n t h at o fan e lde r, to pre a ch f aithand r e pe n ta n c e andrem ission of s ins ,accord ing to m y wor d"(D & C 5 3:3) .

Examples-MelchizedekPriesthood Read the entire Book ofMormon. Ina journal, write what you learn fromyour study and write specific exam-ples from your life that show howconsistent scripture study gives youpower to resist temptation. Interview three Melchizedek Priest-hood holders (such as your father orthe elders quorum president in your

ward). Ask them questions such as the following, and writetheir answers:1. What are the duties of an elder?2. What is the difference between having the authority of thepriesthood and holding priesthood keys?

3. What would you recommend I do to understand andprepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood?

4. What experiences have you had in which you were ableto serve others by exercising the Melchizedek Priesthood?

5. How has holding the Melchizedek Priesthood blessedyour life?

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6. How do you perform the ordinances of the MelchizedekPriesthood (such as consecrating oil, administering to thesick, and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost)?

Examples-Full- TimeMission Find examples ofmissionaries in the scriptures (such as theSavior, Enoch, Ammon, and Samuel the Lamanite). Identifywhat made them effective, the promises they received, andthe effect their work had on the people they served. Make alist of what you find. Share your list with a returned mis-sionary. Ask him or her to share experiences from his or hermission that illustrate these principles and attributes. Practice teaching some of the lessons in chapter 3 of Pr e ac hMy G ospel. Schedule regular opportunities to go teachingwith the full-time missionaries in your area, and be preparedto help the missionaries teach.

Interview three returned missionaries. Ask them questionssuch as the following, and write their answers:1. What would you recommend I do to prepare for a full-time mission?

2. What qualities make a missionary effective, and what canI do to develop those qualities?

3. How is your life different now because you served amission?

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Pr iest

Refer to what you wrote about the requirements for missionaryservice (seepage 85),and make a plan to improve in each area(personal worthiness and testimony,gospel knowledge, Christ-like attributes, and work habits and physical health).

My ProjectMelchizedek Priesthood

Full-Time Mission

APPROVAL OF A PARENT OR LEADER

ESTIMATED DATEOF COMPLETION

MY SIGNATURE DATE COMPLETED

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STEP 3: R EPO RT YOUR EXPER IENCESIn the space below, write what you have learned from carryingout your project and how it has helped you prepare for the Mel-chizedek Priesthood. Present what you have learned to yourfamily or quorum members.

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Duty to God Priest