Restoration of the Priesthood

Lesson

*For Younger Children* Introduce the top of the Priesthood using the light object lesson. Tell the story found in Mark 4:35-41. Explain how the Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the Earth in 1829. Testify of important event that took place on May 15th, 1829- The Restoration of the Priesthood.

Introduce the topic of Priesthood Power with the following object lesson.

Use a flashlight, a small lamp, or the light fixture in your home to help illustrate the meaning of the word power. Begin the discussion with the light off. Point out that although all the parts seem to be properly in place, the flashlight or lamp is not giving off light.

• What must happen before the light will work?

Let one of your children show what happens when the light is switched on. Explain that the flashlight or lamp must have electrical power before it will give off light.

Tell the story of Jesus Calming the Storm, in Mark 4:35-41

Explain that this lesson is about another kind of power—a power even greater than electricity. Invite the children to listen to the following story and to think about what kind of power is being used. Tell the story found in Mark 4:35–41.

• How would you feel if you were on a boat during a bad storm?

Explain that the disciples woke Jesus Christ because they were frightened of the storm. Read aloud what the disciples asked Jesus in the last part of Mark 4:38 (from Master). The disciples were afraid that the storm would sink the boat and they would all die.

Read aloud Mark 4:39 to see what Jesus did. Have your children repeat Jesus’ words: “Peace, be still.”

Explain that the disciples were amazed that the storm was calmed so quickly.

The Priesthood Restored Today

Explain that Jesus was able to calm the storm using the power of the Priesthood. This special power has been restored, or brought back to the earth so we can be blessed by it. Summarize the following explanation of how the Aaronic Priesthood was restored in 1829.

• In the spring of 1829 the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were translating the part of the Book of Mormon that describes what the resurrected Jesus Christ taught the Nephites about baptism (see 3 Nephi 11:18–28, 33–34). Baptism was one of the subjects that the ministers had argued about in Joseph’s youth, and many Christians were confused about baptism. They wondered if baptism was necessary, how it should be done, who could baptize, and at what age a person should be baptized. Joseph and Oliver decided to ask the Lord for the answers to these questions, and on 15 May 1829 they went to pray in the woods along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Oliver described what happened: “On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the Gospel of repentance. What joy! what wonder! what amazement!” (in footnote to Joseph Smith—History 1:71).
• Describe the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and Joseph’s and Oliver’s baptisms, as described in Joseph Smith—History 1:68–74 and Doctrine and Covenants 13.
• John the Baptist, the angel who appeared to Joseph and Oliver (see D&C 27:7–8), was the valiant prophet who had baptized Jesus Christ. When John died, he still held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood. That meant he had the right and ability to restore the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood to Joseph Smith. John ordained Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic Priesthood by the laying on of hands. John did not possess the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, however, so he could not restore them.

Testify of important event that took place on May 15th, 1829- The Restoration of the Priesthood.

*For Teenagers or Adults* Read Joseph Smith History 1:68-75.  Together, make a list and discuss the blessings we benefit from today, because of the Restoration of the Priesthood. Testify of important event that took place on May 15th, 1829- The Restoration of the Priesthood.

Read of the word’s of Joseph Smith as he describes the experiences he had with Oliver Cowdery when the Aaronic Priesthood was restored on May 15th, 1829.

68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:

69 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

70 He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.

71 Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded.

72 The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.

73 Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation.

74 Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of having received the Priesthood and our having been baptized, owing to a spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the neighborhood.

75 We had been threatened with being mobbed, from time to time, and this, too, by professors of religion. And their intentions of mobbing us were only counteracted by the influence of my wife’s father’s family (under Divine providence), who had become very friendly to me, and who were opposed to mobs, and were willing that I should be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption; and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful proceedings, as far as in them lay.

Together, make a list and discuss the blessings we benefit from today, because of the Restoration of the Priesthood.

Testify of important event that took place on May 15th, 1829- The Restoration of the Priesthood.

Treat

Fruit Kabobs or Peanut Butter Polka Dot Bars

Fruit Kabobs

Ingredients:

2 cups Watermelon, Cubed
2 cups Honeydew Melon, Cubed
2 cups Cantaloupe, Cubed
2 cups Pineapple, Cubed
2 cups Strawberries, Halved
½ cups Grapes
½ cups Blackberries
8 whole Bamboo Skewers

Instructions:

Cut watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe and pineapple into bite size pieces. Cut strawberries in half. Leave grapes and blackberries whole.

In desired order, push pieces of fruit onto skewer until skewer is full. Depending on size of fruit pieces, you may need more or less to fill each skewer.
You can add kiwi, orange segments, raspberries or any fruit you like.

Cover and chill in fridge until ready to eat.

Peanut Butter Polka Dot Bars

Ingredients:

FOR THE BARS:
¾ cups Butter, Softened
¾ cups Peanut Butter, Creamy
2 cups Brown Sugar
2 whole Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2-½ cups Quick Cooking Oats
2-½ cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
½ teaspoons Salt
1 package (about 12 Oz. Size) Mini Reese’s Pieces (or Regular Size)

FOR THE CHOCOLATE FILLING:
½ cups Butter
½ cups Sugar
⅔ cups Cocoa Powder
1 can (14 Oz. Size) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1-½ teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 13×9 baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.

In an electric mixer combine butter, peanut butter and brown sugar together. Mix until well combined. Add eggs, and vanilla. Mix until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl whisk together oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. The dough will be very thick, and you may have to use your hands to fully incorporate the flour. Set aside 2 cups of dough. Press remaining dough into the prepared baking dish.

Prepare the chocolate filling. In a small sauce pan melt the butter. Over low heat stir in sugar and cocoa powder. Pour in sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly until smooth and it begins to thicken. Stir in vanilla. Pour over dough, and spread evenly.

Sprinkle the Reese’s Pieces over the chocolate layer. Using the remaining 2 cups of dough, drop teaspoonfuls over the candy layer. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack completely before serving (trust me!).

(Recipe slightly adapted from Hershey’s Recipe Collection.)