1. The Oath and Covenant Chapter 26
of the Priesthood
Introduction Supporting Statements
Because the responsibility of holding the
A. The Melchizedek Priesthood is received by an
priesthood is so great, all who receive it do so by oath and a covenant.
an oath and a covenant. Honoring the covenant
■ “A covenant is a binding and solemn agreement
means that “the man who accepts the priesthood
entered into by at least two individuals. It requires
also accepts the responsibilities that go with it.
that all parties involved abide the conditions of the
He promises that he will give service and make
compact in order to make it effective and binding”
himself approved” (Joseph Fielding Smith, in
(ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, Oct.
Conference Report, Apr. 1966, 102).
1972, 44; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 50).
■ “To swear with an oath is the most solemn
Doctrinal Outline and binding form of speech known to the human
tongue; and it was this type of language which the
A. The Melchizedek Priesthood is received by an Father chose to have used in the great Messianic
oath and a covenant. prophecy about Christ and the priesthood. Of him
1. A covenant is a solemn promise between two it says: ‘The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent,
parties (see Genesis 6:18; 17:1–8; 1 Samuel 18:3; Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
D&C 82:10). Melchizedek.’ (Ps. 110:4.)” (Joseph Fielding
2. Oaths are sworn affirmations that we will be true Smith, in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 92).
and faithful to our promises (see Numbers 30:2; ■ “In ancient dispensations, particularly the
Alma 53:11; 1 Nephi 4:35–37). Mosaic, the taking of oaths was an approved and
3. God uses oaths to confirm His promises to us formal part of the religious lives of the people.
(see Genesis 26:3; Deuteronomy 7:8; Jeremiah 11:5; These oaths were solemn appeals to Deity, or to
Acts 2:30; Moses 7:51). some sacred object or thing, in attestation of the
4. In accepting the covenant of the priesthood, a man truth of a statement or of a sworn determination
promises to receive the priesthood and to magnify to keep a promise. These statements, usually made
his callings in it (see D&C 84:32–39, 43–44). in the name of the Lord, by people who valued
B. Righteousness is the key to priesthood power their religion and their word above their lives,
and eternal life. could be and were relied upon with absolute
1. God is trying to make His mortal children a assurance. (Num. 30.)” (Bruce R. McConkie,
nation of priests and kings (see Exodus 19:6; Mormon Doctrine, 537–38).
Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; D&C 76:55–56). ■ “Beginning in the meridian of time the law
2. “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably whereunder men might take oaths in righteousness
connected with the powers of heaven” and was done away, and the saints were commanded to
can be controlled only upon the principles of refrain from their use. . . .
righteousness (D&C 121:36; see also vv. 34–35). “No such restriction on oath taking, however,
3. Those who hold the priesthood are to lead and applies to Deity. Both in ancient and modern times
govern only by love, kindness, and persuasion he has spoken to his saints with an oath. (D. & C.
(see D&C 121:41–46). 124:47.) The great covenant made with Abraham
4. Priestcraft is a counterfeit of priesthood and that in him and in his seed all generations should be
causes us to err (see 2 Nephi 26:29; Alma 1:2–12; blessed was made by God with an oath in which
Micah 3:11; D&C 33:4). Deity swore in his own name (because he could
swear by no higher) that the covenant would be
5. Corrupt men lose the power of the priesthood
(see D&C 121:37–40). fulfilled. (Gen. 17; Deut. 7:8; 29:10–15; Luke 1:67–75;
Heb. 6:13–20.)” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 538).
6. Righteous men gain eternal life by faithfully ■ “When we receive the Melchizedek Priesthood
observing the oath and covenant of the
priesthood (see D&C 84:33–39; 121:45–46).
we do so by covenant. We solemnly promise to
receive the priesthood, to magnify our callings
in it, and to live by every word that proceedeth
forth from the mouth of God. The Lord on his
part promises us that if we keep the covenant,
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2. Chapter 26
we shall receive all that the Father hath, which is ■ “It is of utmost importance that we keep clearly
life eternal. Can any of us conceive of a greater or in mind what the magnifying of our callings in the
more glorious agreement than this?” (Smith, in priesthood requires of us. I am persuaded that it
Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 91). requires at least the following three things:
■ “Now, you made an oath, when you received “1. That we obtain a knowledge of the gospel.
the priesthood. You made an oath, and you cannot “2. That we comply in our personal living with
with impunity ignore that oath. You promised. the standards of the gospel.
When the stake president or mission president “3. That we give dedicated service” (Marion G.
interviews, or the bishop or branch president, he Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 64; or
asks promises: ‘Will you? Do you? Have you done? Ensign, Nov. 1980, 44).
Will you continue to do?’ And with that oath and ■ “They shall be ‘sanctified by the Spirit unto
the promise, you move forward into your service in the renewing of their bodies.’ I present to you the
the Melchizedek Priesthood” (Spencer W. Kimball, thought that President David O. McKay, who was
in Stockholm Sweden Area Conference Report in his nineties, President Joseph Fielding Smith,
1974, 99). who was in his nineties, and all the Presidents of
■ “One breaks the priesthood covenant by the Church since almost the beginning became
transgressing commandments—but also by men of advanced age, that their bodies were
leaving undone his duties. Accordingly, to break renewed, and their spirits were sanctified”
this covenant one needs only to do nothing” (Kimball, in Stockholm Sweden Area Conference
(Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Report 1974, 99).
Kimball, 497). ■ “Have you thought of that? ‘All that my Father
■ “The Lord has made clear that they who hath’: to be a God; to be a great leader; to be
receive his priesthood receive him. And I think perfect; to have all the blessings which you can
that means more than just sitting in a chair and ascribe to your Father in heaven—all that is
having somebody put his hands upon your head. available to you and me as we hold the
I think when you receive it, you accept it. You do priesthoods, particularly the Melchizedek
not just merely sit. ‘And he that receiveth my Priesthood, which of course comes only after the
Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore Aaronic Priesthood” (Kimball, in Stockholm
all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.’ Sweden Area Conference Report 1974, 99).
Can you imagine anything greater? Shouldn’t we B. Righteousness is the key to priesthood power
be frightened, almost awed as we contemplate the and eternal life.
honor we have and the responsibility we have that ■ “Whenever the Lord has a people on earth he
has come from the oath and the covenant” offers to make them a nation of kings and priests—
(Kimball, in Stockholm Sweden Area Conference not a congregation of lay members with a priest or
Report 1974, 100). a minister at the head—but a whole Church in
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which every man is his own minister, in which ■ “The faithful in the priesthood are those who
every man stands as a king in his own right, fulfill the covenant by ‘magnifying their calling’
reigning over his own family-kingdom. The and living ‘by every word that proceedeth forth
priesthood which makes a man a king and a priest from the mouth of God.’ (D&C 84:33, 44.) Far more
is thus a royal priesthood” (Bruce R. McConkie, seems to be implied in these requirements than
Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:294). token obedience—far more is needed than mere
■ “Most men are inclined to abuse authority, attendance at a few meetings and token fulfillment
especially those who wield it who are the least of assignments. The perfection of body and spirit
prepared to hold positions of trust. It has been the are implied, and that includes the kind of service
characteristic of men in power to use that power to that goes far beyond the normal definition of
gratify their own pride and vain ambitions. More duty. ‘Behold, there are many called, but few are
misery has come to the inhabitants of this world chosen.’ (D&C 121:34.)” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The
through the exercise of authority by those who Example of Abraham,” Ensign, June 1975, 4).
least deserved it, than from almost any other cause. ■ “Now, the sealing for eternity gives to you
Rulers of kingdoms in the past have oppressed eternal leadership. The man will have the authority
their subjects, and where they had the power they of the priesthood, and if he keeps his life in order
have sought to increase their dominions. We have he will become a god. . . . The Lord created this
had some horrible examples of misplaced ambition earth for us and made it a beautiful place to live.
which, in recent years, placed the very existence of He promised us that if we would live the right
humanity in peril. These conditions still prevail in way we could come back to him and be like him”
high places bringing fear and consternation to the (Spencer W. Kimball, in São Paulo Brazil Area
troubled world. Conference Report 1975, 43).
“There should not, however, be any of this ■ “What then, is the doctrine of the priesthood?
unrighteous ambition within the Church, but And how shall we live as the servants of the Lord?
everything should be done in the spirit of love “This doctrine is that God our Father is a
and humility” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Church glorified, a perfected, and an exalted being who
History and Modern Revelation, 2:178). has all might, all power, and all dominion, who
■ “The priesthood cannot be conferred like a knows all things and is infinite in all his attributes,
diploma. It cannot be handed to you as a certificate. and who lives in the family unit.
It cannot be delivered to you as a message or sent to “It is that our Eternal Father enjoys this high
you in a letter. It comes only by proper ordination. status of glory and perfection and power because
An authorized holder of the priesthood has to be his faith is perfect and his priesthood is unlimited.
there. He must place his hands upon your head and “It is that priesthood is the very name of the
ordain you. . . . power of God, and that if we are to become like
“I have told you how the authority is given to him, we must receive and exercise his priesthood
you. The power you receive will depend on what or power as he exercises it.
you do with this sacred, unseen gift. “It is that he has given us an endowment of
“Your authority comes through your ordination; heavenly power here on earth, which is after the
your power comes through obedience and order of his Son and which, because it is the power
worthiness” (Boyd K. Packer, That All May Be of God, is of necessity without beginning of days
Edified, 28–29). or end of years.
■ “There is no limit to the power of the priesthood “It is that we can enter an order of the
which you hold. The limit comes in you if you do priesthood named the new and everlasting
not live in harmony with the Spirit of the Lord and covenant of marriage (see D&C 131:2), named also
you limit yourselves in the power you exert” the patriarchal order, because of which order we
(Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 498). can create for ourselves eternal family units of our
■ “Priesthood and priestcraft are two opposites; own, patterned after the family of God our
one is of God, the other of the devil. When Heavenly Father.
ministers claim but do not possess the priesthood; “It is that we have power, by faith, to govern
when they set themselves up as lights to their and control all things, both temporal and spiritual;
congregations, but do not preach the pure and full to work miracles and perfect lives; to stand in the
gospel; when their interest is in gaining personal presence of God and be like him because we have
popularity and financial gain, rather than in gained his faith, his perfections, and his power, or
caring for the poor and ministering to the wants in other words the fulness of his priesthood”
and needs of their fellow men—they are engaged, (Bruce R. McConkie, in Conference Report, Apr.
in a greater or lesser degree, in the practice of 1982, 50; or Ensign, May 1982, 33–34).
priestcrafts” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 593).
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