Young Men Commemorate 150th Anniversary & Restoration of Aaronic Priesthood

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints marked a significant milestone with a video commemorating both the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and the 150th anniversary of the Young Men organization. The 42-minute video was made available for young men ages 11 to 17 around the world, offering a powerful reminder of the sacred events that shaped the priesthood.

Filmed at the Priesthood Restoration Site in northern Pennsylvania, the video features Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who shared a profound testimony: “You are here to bear up the priesthood and to hold up the kingdom of God.” His words, accompanied by reflections from Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and five young holders of the Aaronic Priesthood, brought to life the history and sacredness of this restoration.

The Priesthood Restoration Site, dedicated in 2015 by President Russell M. Nelson, is where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist on May 15, 1829. It is also the site where the first baptisms by priesthood authority took place in the Susquehanna River and where much of the Book of Mormon was translated. Elder Andersen emphasized the transformative power of this moment: “This experience changed the world. It brought the priesthood back, and now millions across all the continents have this priesthood by the laying on of hands.”

President Lund added his perspective: “There are few places in the world where the history of mankind turned—The Sacred Grove, the edge of the Red Sea with Moses. This is one of those places, where the priesthood of God was poured back into the earth.”

Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph and Oliver read about baptism and the authority to baptize. Seeking further understanding, they prayed in the nearby woods, and in response, John the Baptist appeared to ordain them to the Aaronic Priesthood, as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 13. Elder Andersen and President Lund, along with two young men, Joshua Winkel and Spencer Young, reflected on this pivotal moment in history as they stood near the restored Joseph and Emma Smith home.

Elder Andersen and President Lund asked the young men what the priesthood meant to them. The young men shared that holding the Aaronic Priesthood has been a source of strength, helping them influence their peers for good and blessed them as they performed priesthood duties such as blessing and passing the sacrament.

President Lund expressed the weight of this responsibility: “It is no small thing to be trusted by the Lord with His ordinances. Anybody can go out and do good deeds, but when a priesthood holder like you goes out and serves the Savior, you are on the Lord’s errand.”

Baptism in the Susquehanna River

The video continued with Elder Andersen, President Lund, and the young men standing by the Susquehanna River, where Joseph and Oliver baptized each other. Elder Andersen testified, “I want all of you across the world to know that this event really happened.” He emphasized that, “One thing we learn in the gospel of Jesus Christ is we grow line upon line, year by year. If we are open to it, the Lord does not give us all at once. He gives it to us a little bit here and then a little bit there.”

The young men reflected on their own experiences with baptisms, including performing temple baptisms for the dead, and discussed the privilege of teaching others and leading them to baptism as they prepare to enter the mission field.

Growing into Our Covenant

Elder Andersen shared his own experience of performing a baptism just weeks before the filming. “As I held my hand up and said those words, ‘Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ,’ you realize you represent the Savior Himself in this ordinance.” He encouraged the young men to be patient with themselves, saying, “Let yourself grow into the person you are to become. It does not happen in a day. We grow up in our covenants, in our experience with spiritual things, in our knowledge of the Savior.”

President Lund added, “Priesthood authority comes through the laying on of hands, and priesthood power comes through righteous living, through keeping our covenants. Throughout our lives, we can accrue more and more capacity to bless others by living pure and good lives.”

The Translation of the Book of Mormon

Inside the restored home of Joseph and Emma Smith, Elder Andersen and President Lund, joined by young men Sawyer Smith and Juan David Carpintero, discussed the translation of the Book of Mormon. As they sat at a table with items representing the translation process, they recounted the difficulties Joseph Smith faced, including the loss of the 116 pages and the death of Joseph and Emma’s first child.

Elder Andersen reminded the young men: “We have to remember, even while we are gaining a witness of the truth, we are going to have difficulties and obstacles. We are going to have to overcome temptations.” He recalled the testimony of Oliver Cowdery, who had a unique experience as Joseph’s scribe. Cowdery wrote, “To sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of Heaven awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom. Day after day, I continued uninterrupted to write from his mouth as he translated with the Urim and Thummim.”

Before his death, Oliver Cowdery affirmed his testimony: “I am a dying man, and what will it profit me to tell a lie? I know that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. My eyes saw, my ears heard and my understanding was touched, and I know that what I have testified is true.”

Reflections from the Young Men

At the conclusion of the video, each young man shared something meaningful they had learned from their visit to the Priesthood Restoration Site. Sawyer spoke of the duty to gather Israel. Joshua shared his newfound realization of the deep impact the priesthood has had on his life. “I’ve really realized how much the priesthood has affected, changed and blessed my life,” he said.

Elder Andersen concluded with a heartfelt message to all young men, emphasizing their role in the world today: “You are here to bear up the priesthood and to hold up the kingdom of God. … Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He is resurrected. He guides this holy work upon the earth today, and He is coming again. We of the priesthood must take on our responsibility, our covenants and be who we should be.”

Aleah Ingram

Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.