"Many years ago President Spencer W.
Kimball and several others church leaders visited the small cathedral in Copenhaven,
Denmark, that houses Bertel
Thorvaldsen’s famous statue of Hesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles.
Speaking of this experience, Elder Rex D. Pinegar
said: “As we looked at those beautiful works of art we noted that Peter was sculptured with large keys in
his hands. . . As we were ready to leave the cathedral, the Danish
caretaker…was standing near the door awaiting our departure. President Kimball
shook his hand [and] thanked him for his kindness in letting us visit the
cathedral. Then the president began an explanation of the church established by
Jesus Christ and of its importance to us….Gathering president Tanner, Elder
Monson, and Elder Packer closer to him, the president continued, “We are living
apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are Twelve Apostles and three others
who are the presidency of the Church. We hold the real keys, as Peter did, and
we use them every day. They are in use constantly.’” (in Ensign, Nov. 1976, 69).
Matthew
16:13-19 Peter is promised the keys of
the kingdom.
Jesus left Decapolis and went to the area of
Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples “Whom say ye that I am?” (v 15)
What was Peter’s response? (v 16) What was the source of Peter’s testimony? (v
17)
What can we learn from this account about our testimonies?
(v 18) “Upon this rock I will build my
church.” The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the rock Jesus referred to is
revelation (Teachings, p274).
In what way is revelation the foundation of the Lord’s Church?
The Savior promised to give Peter the
“keys of the kingdom of heaven” (v 19). What are these keys? Why are they
necessary? See D&C 128:9-10, D&C 132:46. Who holds them today?
President
Joseph F. Smith taught:
The
Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man
ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has this 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. In
their fulness,
the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of
the church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case
that person holds the keys of that particular labor? (Gospel Doctrine, p 136.)
Why is a conviction that the prophet holds these keys an essential part of our testimonies?
Matthew 17:1-5
•Moses and Elias (Elijah; see footnote 3b) appeared.•“A bright cloud overshadowed them,” and they heard the voice of the Father bearing witness of his Son.•Peter, James, and John saw a vision of the transfiguration of the earth at the Savior’s Second Coming (D&C 63:20-21)•They were “transfigured” before Christ” (Teachings, p. 158)•They were taught about the Savior’s death and resurrection (JST Luke 9:31)•They received from Jesus, Moses, and Elijah the priesthood keys they would need to govern the Church after the Savior’s death. (Teachings, p. 158)What Can We Learn?
•We should follow the Savior’s example by praying fervently when we need spiritual strength.•We can have the assurance that Jesus will strengthen us as he did Peter, James, and John.
•We can be strengthened by testimony of the Savior and by the doctrines of the gospel.•Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothing became brilliantly white.
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