034: Doctrine & Covenants Lesson 8: Restoration of the Priesthood

Restoration of the Priesthood

The priesthood permeates pretty much everything we do in the LDS Church. Much of the reason to be a member is tied up in the power and authority restored through Joseph Smith, culminating in saving temple ordinances. For these reasons, this lesson is a very important one. I confess that this is a lesson I have wrestled with how to teach responsibly–the subject of power and authority from God is very important, but our sources and the history behind them get complicated and messy. This lesson will cover:

• Thoughts on the relationships between history, theology, and legitimacy
• close reading of the accounts of the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods as well as other keys
• A exploration of priests, prophets, and authority in the Bible to which our narratives are so closely linked

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Student Reading: D&C 13;20:38–67;27:12–13;84:6–30;107:1–20,110:11–16;Joseph Smith—History 1:66–73; Our Heritage, pages 11–14, D&C 107 23, 35; D&C 42:43–44;43:15–16;84:111;107:25, 33–35, 38–39, 58, 68, 71, 87–88, 93–97;124:91–93, 124, 128,Matthew 16:19,D&C 78:15–16,D&C 81:1–2,D&C 112:30–34

Additional Teacher Reading: 128:20,Moroni 7:35–372 Nephi 32:33 Nephi 7:18;3 Nephi 17:23–24;Moroni 7:25, 29–31D&C 84:88,Matthew 3:1–6, 1184:111,D&C 107:85,D&C 107:86,D&C 107:13–17, 68, 71–72, 87–88D&C 107:89;124:137D&C 124:133, 136D&C 107:25–26124:138–39

We were amazingly fortunate to have Greg Prince join us for this discussion. He, Emily and Dan provide a vital and even paradigm shifting discussion of the story of priesthood authority.

Please continue the conversation and post your questions and comments here, in our facebook group, or email them to me at mormonsundayschool at gmail.

You can access my Lesson Notes here.

You can access my Reading Notes here.

 

Suggested Resources:

See Lesson Notes.

Many thanks to Devin Roth for the beautiful bumper music. Check out his arrangement of hymns and other work at DevinRothMusic!

Thanks to James Estrada of Oak Street Audio who got this episode finished faster than I even hoped! (I think he pulled another all-nighter)