(September 2011)

I             Purpose

The following is an outline of Aaronic Priesthood Keys and the tool of “Fulfilling My Duty to God.”

II            I Have A Work For Thee

The first quoted scripture in the booklet is Moses 1:4, 6 (DTG page 6):  “Behold, thou art my son; … and I have a work for thee”.  There is “a space granted unto man in which he might repent;”…”a time to prepare…” (Alma 12:24), a time and space to discover their unique mission.  Duty to God for Young Men is created in such a way as to allow each young man to discover his personal work and mission.

III           Let Every Man Learn His Duty

The second quoted scripture is from D&C 107:99 (DTG Page 8):

99  Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but learning and doing our Duty to God allows each of us to learn what our personal mission is.

IV          Who Is To Teach Each Young Man His Duty?

If we scan backwards from this verse, we learn who is responsible for teaching each young man his duty, beginning in Section 107 verse 85:

85  And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them, and to teach them their duty, edifying one another, as it is given according to the covenants.

86  And also the duty of the president over the office of the teachers is to preside over twenty–four of the teachers, and to sit in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants.

87  Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is to preside over forty–eight priests, and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants—

88  This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood. (D&C 107:85 – 88 emphasis added)

(Referenced in DTG page 97, “To the Quorum Presidents”)

[Note brethren that the responsibility of the Elders Quorum President is a bit different:

89  Again, the duty of the president over the office of elders is to preside over ninety–six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to teach them according to the covenants. (D&C 107:89)

There is no mention of duty.  At the end of our time as young men, we are to know our duty, and rely solely upon our covenants.]

V           A Curious Observance

Obviously, simply because of age and experience, a Deacon Quorum President does not understand every aspect of the duties of a Deacon.  So who is to teach the Deacons Quorum President?

In recently studying about this, I realized that Deacon Quorum Presidency meeting is an important place for this training to be taking place, so that the Deacon Quorum President is able to teach his Quorum members their duties in quorum meeting.

I noted this curious quote in Handbook 2 section 8.9.3 about Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Presidency Meeting.

Each quorum presidency holds a presidency meeting regularly. The bishop regularly attends and presides over the priests quorum presidency meeting, and one of his assistants conducts it. The deacons quorum president and teachers quorum president conduct their presidency meetings, and they preside unless a member of the bishopric attends. Quorum advisers and secretaries also attend these meetings. Secretaries take notes and keep track of assignments. (Handbook 2 Section 8.9.3 emphasis added)

I wondered why that could be.  It must not be because the counselor in the bishopric holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, because under that principle an advisor attending would preside.  As noted in Handbook 2 Section 2.1.1 “Counselors to priesthood leaders do not receive keys. They are set apart and function in their callings by assignment and delegated authority.”  Because the Deacon and Teacher Quorum President hold keys, and counselors in bishoprics do not, it cannot be based upon holding keys.

My question was answered very clearly by Handbook 2 Section 8.3.1 which quotes D&C 107:13 – 15 which says in part:

13  The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron…

15  The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same. (emphasis added)

The Bishopric is the Presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood.  This is by virtue of the fact that the Bishop is president of the priest quorum.  (Handbook 2 Section 8.3.1) Counselors in bishoprics preside in Quorum meetings and presidency meetings because they are part of the Presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood.

VI          The Point

I have come to believe that the only way in which Duty to God will truly be implemented within the minds and hearts of the young men of our stake will be through proper priesthood keys.  The new Duty to God is as different from the old as the Higher Law the Savior gave from the Law of Moses.  The new, higher law requires higher principles.