What is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood? Lesson Plan, Resources, and a CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 84 (August 3)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan about teaching about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, along with some resources and an original activity sheet to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  July 28-August 3,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 84.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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WHAT IS THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD?
This lesson plan was designed to teach to a mixed group of males and females or just to females.  It  will likely be way too much information for one lesson, so prayerfully adjust it to the attention span and understanding of your group. 

DISCUSSION STARTER:  

ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO NAME SOME THINGS WITH WORLDLY POWER:  
Some potential examples could be:  waterfalls, certain people, tornado, superheroes, fast cars, dams, hurricanes, etc.  There are no wrong answers.

ASK:  HOW DO PEOPLE OF THE WORLD GAIN POWER?   
 By having lots of money, by being loud, by stepping on people's toes, by being charismatic speakers, etc. 


SHOW PICTURE OF THE PLANET EARTH--

READ THIS QUOTE:
 “Brothers and sisters, the power by which the heavens and earth were and are created is the priesthood…Not only is the priesthood the power by which the heavens and the earth were created, but it is also the power the Savior used in His mortal ministry to perform miracles, to bless and heal the sick, to bring the dead to life, and, as our Father’s Only Begotten Son, to endure the unbearable pain of Gethsemane and Calvary—thus fulfilling the laws of justice with mercy and providing an infinite Atonement…The same priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our friends, and our neighbors—in other words, to do the things that the Savior would do if He were ministering among us today.” M. Russell Ballard


WRITE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ON THE BOARD: 
Motherhood
Fatherhood
Childhood
Neighborhood

ASK:   WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SUFFIX "HOOD" MEANS?  

ANSWER (in case no one knows): Hood = Added as a suffix to a word it shows a current condition or state. 

RELATE TO THE WORDS ON THE BOARD:  

Motherhood = A condition or state of being a Mother
Fatherhood = A condition or state of being a Father
Childhood = A condition or state of being a child
Neighborhood = The condition or state of being neighbors in a proximity

ASK:  CONSIDERING THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WORD PRIESTHOOD MEANS?  

ANSWER: The quality or state of being a Priest.

ASK: WHAT IS A PRIEST?   

LOOK UP: “Priest” in the Bible Dictionary and read the first sentence together.

DISCUSS THE CONCEPT:   Priests are mediators between us and God. Through their various (and very organized) duties, they help save us.

RELATE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEFINITION: 
Priesthood = The condition or state of being mediators between man and God and helping save us.

READ QUOTE: 
“We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.” Dallin H. Oaks 

READ ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD in the scriptures:  

Doctrine and Covenants 84:35-40 (Oath and the Covenant)

 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;  For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.  Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

WATCH THIS ~4 MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND HOW IT APPLIES TO MEN AND WOMEN (or if your group is too young, then summarize it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPACYiU-DQ&t=18s


READ THIS QUOTE:  
“A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings. The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer the gift.” Neil L. Andersen

SUMMARIZE A FEW CONCEPTS OF THE OATH AND COVENANT:  

We receive the holy priesthood by an “oath and covenant.” This means that Heavenly Father gives us His oath (guarantee) that we can have the power and blessings of the priesthood if we covenant (promise) with Him to do certain things. “Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of [the] Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved” (D&C 84:40).  Elder Paul B. Pieper taught: “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”. In verse 38, it says that we can obtain ALL that the Father hath and that is a promise to men and women! 

HARK  BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE LESSON AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE PRIESTHOOD HELPS US BECOME POWERFUL IN GOD'S EYES:   

FINISH UP WITH THIS QUOTE 
"...We must each walk through life on our own, we don’t have to do it alone. Four principles explain why:

First, God wants a powerful people.

Second, He gives His power to those who are faithful.

Third, we have a sacred obligation to seek after the power of God and then to use that power as He directs.

Fourth, when we have the power of God with us, nothing is impossible.

I repeat, God wants a powerful people. Ammon taught that “a man may have great power given him from God”, and Nephi prophesied that we of the latter days would be “armed with . . . the power of God in great glory”.  There are many evidences that God wants a powerful people. This is one reason that at baptism we become eligible to receive “the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost”  and the privilege of constant access to the third member of the Godhead.  This is one reason that 12-year-old boys may be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds “the key of the ministering of angels” .This is one reason every worthy adult may go to the temple, from which he or she emerges surrounded and protected by God’s power.  God wants a powerful people. No one better understands that Satan is real and that he has power. No one better understands that none of us is smart enough or resilient enough to spar with Satan and survive spiritually."  Sheri Dew

 AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 


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Make sure to bookmark this site and come back each week and check out my Come, Follow Me resources and activity sheets!  

Enjoy learning the gospel together!

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