MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD THE TEMPLE MISSION

Transcription

1 MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD THE TEMPLE MISSION

2 Dear Aaronic Priesthood holder; You have been privileged to be born in the last days the glorious days appointed to prepare the earth for Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of you have received your patriarchal blessings wherein you received a divine witness that your Father in Heaven knows you personally and that He has a divine mission for you to perform on this earth. Each of you has been prepared for this day a day of immense glory and a day of immense temptation a day of choosing - choosing to follow the world or choosing to become who you are foreordained to be. - As the Lord has said, There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy (D&C 105:35). Each of you must choose you this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15). The choice is yours and yours alone to be found clean, worthy, and prepared to serve the Lord your God. Greater happiness than you can imagine is reserved for those that honor God and receive all that He desires to give his children as they walk in obedience to His commandments. The Melchizedek Priesthood is essential to enter His temple, to serve a full-time mission, and to receive eternal life. It will require your greatest attention and effort to withstand the subtle temptations of Satan who seeks to disqualify you from the Holy Priesthood and destroy your happiness and future. The Melchizedek Priesthood is the power of God and is the most important stewardship given to men for without this power, families are not eternal and man cannot be saved. This booklet has been prepared to assist you in your sacred preparation and invitation to receive the Holy Priesthood, to put on the armor of righteousness, to stand in holy places, and to be unspotted from the world. It is intended to be read with your parents (especially your father or another priesthood holder) so that you can learn from their experiences in the priesthood. Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood involves making sacred covenants with God that cannot be treated lightly. If you are worthy to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, then you are worthy to receive the blessings of the temple (additional priesthood covenants) and to serve a full-time mission. As you prayerfully read, study, and seek to understand the sacred covenants of the Holy Priesthood, you will receive divine revelation in how you are to prepare, to receive, to honor, and to hold the priesthood of God. We testify that this is one of the most important steps of your eternal progression from which all happiness and eternal joy comes. Sincerely, President Clare President Gordon President Christensen Salem Utah Stake Presidency

3 A Message to Fathers Yours is the sacred responsibility to prepare your son to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. The priesthood was given to man from Father to Son God the Father gave it to His Son Jesus Christ Jesus gave it to Adam - and through the lineage of righteous fathers it has been passed to sons. When a father cannot give the priesthood (as with Abraham), the priesthood is received through a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood holder (thus the pattern set forth by Melchizedek to Abraham). The sacred responsibility to teach and prepare your sons to hold the Highest Priesthood is one of your most important stewardships in this life. This booklet is to help you read and discuss with your son the principles, laws, and covenants associated with the Melchizedek Priesthood and to prepare him to receive the additional laws and covenants of the priesthood within the temple. It is written as a learning guide for your son who will be encouraged to read, discuss, and share what he is learning with you. This gives to you the wonderful opportunity to prayerfully seek inspiration in how you might best teach and prepare your son for this great responsibility. The Pattern of Learning The pattern of true learning and eventual conversion is found in the following steps. Learn: Understand the doctrines though study, pondering, and prayer through the Holy Ghost. Covenant: Choose and commit in your heart to live by the truths you receive. Live: Daily actions reflect the covenants you have made. A similar pattern has been part of your Duty to God experience (Learn, Act, Share) and is the pattern of the temple. The most important purpose in these patterns of learning is the personal and individual witness and knowledge you receive directly from the Holy Ghost. The intent of this guide and preparation is to help you understand truth, gain a personal witness of your divine mission, and receive personal revelation. As you study a doctrine, we invite you to ponder deeply what it means to you and how you will apply it in your life. As you ponder and pray about the doctrine, we invite you to ask questions that will invite the Holy Ghost to teach you. If you ask with a sincere heart, the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth of it unto you (Moroni 10:4). As you receive truth, you are invited to experiment upon the word and plant seeds of faith (actions) to begin to live by the truth you receive. As you live and act upon truth given from God, this brings forth the fruits of conversion, knowledge, and power. This forms the spiritual foundation and pattern of learning for your life. We invite you to mark your scriptures, capture notes and thoughts in this booklet, and record the sacred experiences you will have in this preparation. As you visit with your bishop and stake president, bring your journal, scriptures, and booklet to share what you have received.

4 WHAT IS THE PRIESTHOOD OF GOD? Questions to ponder as you study: What is the priesthood? Why is it so important? What is it used for? How does the priesthood work? What is expected of me? Truths to study: (As you read, write down those words, statements, or truths that stand out to you. As you have impressions, even in the form of other questions, write these down.) The Priesthood Chapter 13: Gospel Principles Read the entire lesson and underline words the the-priesthood Priesthood Power Elder John H. Groberg Read the entire talk and underline words the The Powers of Heaven Elder David A. Bednar Read the entire talk and underline words the Doctrine and Covenants 107 Read the entire section and underline words the Doctrine and Covenants 84 Read the entire section and underline words the Teach what you have learned: Reading the above truths with your impressions, how would you teach the following questions? Write down your

5 thoughts in a way you would teach another person. 1. What is the priesthood of God? 2. Why was it given to men? Why would he trust me to hold it? 3. What does God expect of those that hold His priesthood? 4. What does Power in the Priesthood mean? How will I live? Write down three things you will do (live) from what you have learned and what the Spirit has taught you

6 Making and Keeping Priesthood Covenants Questions to ponder as you study: What am I covenanting to do? How important are my covenants? What does it mean to magnify the priesthood? Truths to study: (As you read, write down those words, statements, or truths that stand out to you. As you have impressions, even in the form of other questions, write these down.) The Oath & Covenant Elder L. Tom Perry Read the entire talk and underline words the The Why of Priesthood Service President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Read the entire talk and underline words the Priesthood Power President Thomas S. Monson Read the entire talk and underline words the Magnify the Priesthood Read RESOURCE B in the back of this booklet and underline words the Spirit impresses upon your mind.

7 Teach what you have learned: Reading the above truths with your impressions, how would you teach the following questions? Write down your thoughts in a way you would teach another person. 1. What is the Oath and Covenant of the priesthood? 2. What does it mean to magnify the priesthood? 3. Why is the Abrahamic covenant so important? How will I live? Write down three things you will do (live) from what you have learned and what the Spirit has taught you

8 BE YE CLEAN Questions to ponder as you study: Do I really understand the Atonement? How do I know I am clean? Have I used the Atonement in my life? How do I know I have repented? Truths to study: (As you read, write down those words, statements, or truths that stand out to you. As you have impressions, even in the form of other questions, write these down.) The Atonement of Jesus Christ Elder Russell M. Nelson Read the entire talk and underline words the Be Ye Clean President Gordon B. Hinckley Read the entire talk and underline words the Understanding the Atonement Elder Jeffery R. Holland Watch this video and describe the feelings that come to you Letter from Stake Presidency Read Resource C in the back of this booklet and write questions or impressions the Spirit impresses upon your mind.

9 Teach what you have learned: Reading the above truths with your impressions, how would you teach the following questions? Write down your thoughts in a way you would teach another person. 1. How can the Atonement change my life? 2. How can the Atonement bring us peace, heal our spiritual wounds and physical infirmities, help us overcome sorrow, and cleanse our souls? 3. How does the Atonement require faith? How will I live? Write down three things you will do (live) from what you have learned and what the Spirit has taught you

10 THE SACRED IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE Questions to ponder as you study: Why is the temple so important? How can I prepare to enter the temple? Truths to study: (As you read, write down those words, statements, or truths that stand out to you. As you have impressions, even in the form of other questions, write these down.) Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings Elder Russell M. Nelson Read the entire talk and underline words the Spirit impresses upon your mind. The Sacred Importance of Temples President David O Mckay Read entire talk and underline words the spirit impresses upon your mind. Blessings of the Temple President Thomas S. Monson Read entire talk and underline words the spirit impresses upon your mind. The Holy Temple President Boyd K. Packer Read entire talk and underline words the spirit impresses upon your mind

11 Teach what you have learned: Reading the above truths with your impressions, how would you teach the following questions? Write down your thoughts in a way you would teach another person. 1. Why do we need to prepare to enter the temple? 2. Why are the sealing keys restored and exercised in the temple? 3. How can we be like the Savior by doing temple work? How will I live? Write down three things you will do (live) from what you have learned and what the Spirit has taught you

12 READY TO SERVE A MISSION? Questions to ponder as you study: What can I do to really be prepared to serve a mission? What is expected for me to be ready? What do I need to know to teach? Truths to study: (As you read, write down those words, statements, or truths that stand out to you. As you have impressions, even in the form of other questions, write these down.) How to Prepare to Be a Good Missionary Elder M. Russell Ballard Read the entire talk and underline words the We love all of our missionaries who are serving the Lord full-time in the mission field. But there is a difference in missionaries. Some are better prepared to serve the Lord the first month in the mission field than some who are returning home after twenty-four months. We want young men entering the mission field who can enter the mission field "on the run," who have the faith, born of personal righteousness and clean living, that they can have a great and productive mission. (Ezra Taft Benson, CR, May, 1986, p. 45) Raising the Bar Elder L. Tom Perry Read the entire talk and underline words the w-to-prepare-to-be-a-goodmissionary?lang=eng You must have a testimony of the divinity of this work. You must know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, that the priesthood and authority of Heavenly Father is here, and that you bear that priesthood and have the authority to represent Him in the world. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 193)

13 Read the Book of Mormon Read the entire Book of Mormon. Seek and receive a divine witness that it is of God. Read Preach My Gospel, pages Read Preach My Gospel Read the entire manual and underline words the Section 1: My Purpose 1-15 Section 2: How Do I Study Effectively and Prepare to Teach? Becoming a Missionary Elder David A. Bednar Physically Preparing Discuss with your parents the following and determine how well prepared you are. 1. Washing and Ironing clothes 2. Budgeting Earn your own money for your mission 3. Weight/Health/Personal Hygiene 4. Cooking 5. Sewing 6. Cleaning (a house of order ) Questions Reading the above truths, what impressions come to you as you ask the following questions? 1. What are some additional things I am to do to prepare for my mission? 2. How can I help my friends to prepare for their missions? How will I live? Write down three things you will do (live) from what you have learned and what the Spirit has taught you. 1.

14 2. 3.

15 CALLED TO SERVE: HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MISSION Questions to ponder as you study: What can I do to prepare to represent Jesus Christ? How can I recognize the Spirit? Why is Obedience important? How will serving a mission bless my life? Truths to study: (As you read, write down those words, statements, or truths that stand out to you. As you have impressions, even in the form of other questions, write these down.) What is My Purpose as a Missionary? Study Preach My Gospel, pages 1 16 Representing Jesus Christ Study Preach My Gospel, pages Obedience I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. (D&C 82:10) Read the white Missionary Handbook Learning to Listen to the Spirit Study Preach My Gospel, pages Memorize D&C 4

16 Teach what you have learned: Reading the above truths with your impressions, how would you teach the following questions? Write down your thoughts in a way you would teach another person How will I live? Write down three things you will do (live) from what you have learned and what the Spirit has taught you

17 RESOURCE A: Quotes on the Priesthood The priesthood is greater than any of its offices... An elder holds as much priesthood as an Apostle. (See D&C 20:38.) When a man receives the priesthood, he receives all of it. However, there are offices within the priesthood divisions of authority and responsibility. One may exercise his priesthood according to the rights of the office to which he is ordained or set apart. (Boyd K. Packer, What Every Elder Should Know and Every Sister as Well: A Primer on Principles of Priesthood Government, Ensign, Feb. 1993) Power in the priesthood is different than the authority of the priesthood, as the power of the priesthood varies from man to man. Strictly speaking, priesthood power is acquired by an individual through his righteousness and honoring his priesthood. (David O. McKay, The Improvement Era, Nov. 1966, p. 958) There is no limit to the power of the priesthood which you hold. The limit comes in you if you do not live in harmony with the spirit of the Lord and you limit yourselves in the power you exert. (Teachings Spencer W. Kimball, p. 498) Every man ordained to any degree of the priesthood has the authority delegated to him. But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the priesthood. (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 136) It was originally called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God, but it is now called the Melchizedek Priesthood to avoid the repetition of the name of Deity. (D&C 107:1-4) The Melchizedek Priesthood has the power and authority, and holds the keys, of all spiritual blessings of the Church 1. To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (the knowledge of God and temple ordinances with their accompanying knowledge); 2. To have the heavens opened unto them (personal revelation and witness of the Spirit); 3. To commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn (administer and teach in the church of Jesus Christ); 4. To enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant (our inheritance if we remain faithful). (D&C 107:17-19)

18 It is through the Melchizedek Priesthood and its ordinances that man can come to know God. (D&C 84:19-22) Those that are called and ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, according to Alma, were chosen by God while yet in premortality, because they had proven themselves to be of "exceeding great faith." (Alma :13:1-5) Joseph Smith taught the same. (TPJS, p. 365)

19 RESOURCE B: Understanding the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood Oath and Covenant A covenant is a solemn promise between two parties. "The man who accepts the priesthood also promises that he will give service and make himself approved." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, Apr. 1966, p. 102) Elder Marion G. Romney said: "Men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood by an oath and covenant. A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. An oath is a sworn attestation to the inviolability of the promises in the agreement. In the covenant of the priesthood, the parties are the Father and the receiver of the priesthood. Each party to the covenant undertakes certain obligations." (Conference Report, April, 1962, p.17) President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "Now may I say a few words about the oath which accompanies the reception of the Melchizedek Priesthood. To swear with an oath is the most solemn and binding form of speech known to the human tongue; and it was this type of language which the Father chose to have used in the great Messianic prophecy about Christ and the priesthood. Of him it says: 'The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.' (Psalms 110:4)... Joseph Smith said that all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually, that is, if they are faithful and true." Fail to Keep Oath & Covenant "One breaks the priesthood covenant by transgressing commandments, but also by leaving undone his duties. Accordingly, to break this covenant one needs only to do nothing." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 497) "This makes a very serious matter of receiving this covenant and this priesthood; for those who receive it must, like God Himself, abide in it and must not fail and must not be moved out of the way; for those who receive this oath and covenant and turn away from it and cease to do righteously and to honor this covenant, and will to abide in sin, and repent not, there is no forgiveness for them either in this life or in the world to come. It is God's word, and God's word is truth; and it becomes necessary for all those who enter into this covenant to understand this word, that they may indeed abide in it and may not be turned out of the way." (President Joseph F. Smith, Conf. Report, Apr., 1898, p.65) Magnify the Priesthood 2. Can a man be faithful who is not honest and truthful in all dealings and relationships with his fellowmen and who does not honor and obey the laws of the land? 3. Can a man be faithful who does not abide by the first two great commandments, to love the Lord God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind, and his neighbor as himself? 4. Can a man be faithful who does not honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy, attend the sacrament and priesthood meetings, or worthily fulfill all other duties in keeping with his callings and obligations that day? 5. Can a man be faithful who does not observe and keep the Word of Wisdom or does not pay an honest tithing and fast offering?

20 6. Can a man be faithful who does not obey the law of chastity and is not morally clean in his life and habits? 7. Can a man be faithful who does not, through obedience and sacrifice, prepare himself worthily for the holy temple of God to bind his family eternally together in love? 8. Can a man be faithful if he does not keep all the commandments of God? 9. Receive All the Father Hath "This is the promise of exaltation offered to every man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, but is a conditional promise... a promise conditioned on magnifying our callings in the priesthood and living by every word that proceeded forth from the mouth of God." (President Joseph Fielding Smith, Improvement Era, Dec., 1970) "The Father has promised his sons who receive the holy priesthood and faithfully abide by the conditions of its oath and covenants that they are to share in all that which the Father hath. The Father possesses kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers, dominions and exaltations. These, the faithful will receive of him as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. "This promise... And the Lord will not fail.. Is a challenging encouragement for all to do His will. It is natural for a father to share his estate with his children. Our Heavenly Father is no exception. He does so with a binding covenant with his faithful sons." (Delbert L Stapley, Conf. Report, Apr., 1961, pp ) Promise to Receive The power and authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church, to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. (D & C 107:18-19) The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that after a man so devotes himself to righteousness that his calling and election is made sure, "Then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter. Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more or less than the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time; and even He will manifest the Father unto him; and They will take up Their abode with him and the Lord will teach him face to face; and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp ) Abrahamic Covenant Abraham was a righteous man, but he wanted to be a man of greater righteousness. He pled with the Lord, and received an incredible promise: that if he remained faithful he would continue with his family for eternity, live with God, have eternal increase, and have all the blessings of exaltation the life that God lives. But his promises even went beyond this. Abraham obtained a promise from the Lord that all the blessings of the gospel that he had received, all the promises, would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. The Lord also gave other promises to Abraham concerning his posterity:

21 10. They would be a great nation. 11. They would be a chosen people of the Lord. 12. They would be blessed with the priesthood. 13. They would receive certain lands for an eternal inheritance. 14. Through his posterity all the nations of the earth would have the opportunity to receive the gospel (missionary work). All these promises together are called the Abrahamic covenant. "The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the effect of the Holy Ghost is to make such a person actually of the blood of Abraham." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp )

22 RESOURCE C: Letter from Salem Utah Stake Presidency To the young men who bear the priesthood of God January 2013 You have been foreordained, prepared, and chosen to come forth in these, the last days days that are glorious and also dangerous. It is a day foretold by ancient prophets as perilous times. As you read the words prophesied for our day, notice how many of these are around us - For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:2-5). You have been born in the covenant of your God to bear His holy priesthood during the most important time in the history of the earth - the fullness of times - the last dispensation - to come forth in the eleventh hour to prepare for the Lord s second coming. Satan is marshaling all his forces to bind you and to deny you of the foreordained mission you have been called and chosen to perform. Satan is real. He is the father of all lies and he carefully seeks to deceive you, to bind you through sin, and to make you miserable like he is. Satan has also prepared for this day and is unleashing every evil, every subtle deception, and every blatant and vile perversion ever known to man in any generation. His greatest deception is to distract you from whom you are and to keep you from holy and eternal truths that give you power - power he knows you can bind him with. He does this through the constant bombardment and allure of the flesh, sexual themes through TV, movies, video games, and music to create a virtual society that removes natural affections, consequences and accountability. He wants you to defile your temple (body) because he will never have a temple (body) and he knows that God cannot dwell in unholy temples. So he does everything he can to cause you to defile yours to disqualify yourselves through sexual perversions, drugs, pornography anything that will cause you to destroy or become addicted to your flesh. Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons (2 Cor. 6:16-18) Brethren of the priesthood, There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy (D&C 105:35). In words of soberness, the Spirit has moved upon us to clearly and carefully invite you to stand on holy ground and to be ye clean, which bear the vessels of the Lord. The Lord cannot look upon sin in the least degree of allowance He knows every thought, every desire of your heart, every act you do. Through His Atonement, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven through sincere and complete repentance. A casual I am sorry will not do. Waiting to confess and repent of your sins right before your mission will not do. We have felt directed to raise the bar and to clearly state what is expected of you as bearers of the priesthood of God. The ordinance of the sacrament is one of the most sacred and important assignments you have in the Aaronic Priesthood the offering of the emblems that represent our Savior s flesh and blood given through the Atonement - through which we are cleansed and we qualify to receive his Spirit to be with us. The Sacrament is holy and cannot be defiled. Your hands cannot be unclean when you administer the sacrament (prepare, pass, or bless). God will not be mocked and as He has said, ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily for they eateth and drinketh damnation to [their] soul (3 Nephi 18:28-29). Remember, we must be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. To be worthy of this sacred ordinance, you cannot be viewing pornography. Pornography offends God and it offends your divine soul (body and spirit). He that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matt 5:28). Pornography is sin. It defiles, addicts, and

23 destroys your mind. It destroys everything that is holy and makes you unclean, ashamed, and powerless. It is the tool Satan is using in the last days to bind you and deny you the power of God. You have power in you to act and not to be acted upon. Satan always wants you to hide, to think that you can overcome this yourself, and to think - I can look a little everyone is doing it it won t harm me. We testify that it will destroy you - touch not the unclean thing. If you have seen or are viewing pornography visit with your father and with your bishop. The Lord will inspire them in how to help you. You cannot masturbate (abuse your own body) and be worthy to touch the ordinance of the sacrament. Masturbation is sin. God commands us to be clean, to have self-mastery, to control and overcome the flesh. Masturbation is addicting, embarrassing, demoralizing, and offensive to the Spirit. Masturbation leads to other sins and will always deny you of the Spirit. Those participating in masturbation are breaking the law of chastity and are not worthy to enter the Lord s temple. If you have any questions or are struggling in any way, visit with your father and with your bishop. Those who desire to serve missions can have no pornography or masturbation in their lives for at least 6 months before they turn in their applications. Oral sex is fornication. Young men who allow or participate in this sin must participate in full and complete repentance, must receive an exception, and be clean for at least 1 year to be able to serve a mission. Petting - touching in inappropriate places, above or underneath the clothes - is a serious sin and requires full and complete repentance of at least 6 months - 1 year prior to submitting an application to serve a mission. Immoral behavior in any manner offends the Spirit and disqualifies us from using and exercising the priesthood. Young men cannot view movies that have suggestive, immoral, or violent themes without offending the Spirit. Music must be carefully selected to lift, edify, and inspire. Video games are another way Satan seeks to introduce immoral or violent themes through entertainment. All of these subtle devices are designed to slowly wear down your defenses and introduce thoughts that lead to temptation and sin. A young man must be free of these worldly distractions to serve a mission. BE WISE and BE CAREFUL where you spend your time and how your mind is influenced. We are to be the defenders of virtue to protect with our very lives the virtue of women. We who hold the priesthood cannot lower our standards to the world. We have been called and chosen to come forth to put on the armor of righteousness to be an example of the believers - to be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a light and standard for the nations. It is time to put away the things of the world and elevate your time, thoughts, and heart to seek that which is holy, uplifting, and edifying. There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy. We invite each of you to choose to choose to be worthy in all ways to qualify for the great responsibility and privileges of the holy priesthood, and to be ready to fulfill your foreordained mission to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Love President Clare, President Gordon, and President Christensen