Family Home Evening Lesson #35: RESTORATION OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "The Priesthood is Restored" Children's Songbook pg. 89)

3. Read D&C 27:12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them.

4. Read and discuss "Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration" from The Gospel Art Picture Kit:

When Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist, they were promised they would later receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. “The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church” (D&C 107:8).

In June 1829 Joseph was translating the Book of Mormon, and Oliver was writing for him. During this time Joseph and Oliver went into the wilderness area near the Susquehanna River between the towns of Harmony and Colesville, Pennsylvania. Peter, James, and John appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Peter, James, and John said they held the keys of the kingdom, and they were to bring the Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth in the dispensation of “the fulness of times,” or the latter days. Because of this great event, we have the Melchizedek Priesthood on the earth today.

Then read and discuss the following from Jeffrey R. Holland:

The priesthood of God, with its keys, its ordinances, its divine origin and ability to bind in heaven what is bound on earth, is as indispensable to the true Church of God as it is unique to it and that without it there would be no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: The Priesthood in Our Home (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 19)
The Priesthood (Gospel Principles, Chapter 13)
Priesthood Organization (Gospel Principles, Chapter 14)