Doctrine and Covenants 84:3–5

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

“This statement has been a stumbling block to some and there have been various interpretations of the meaning of a generation. It is held by some that a generation is one hundred years; by others that it is one hundred and twenty years; by others that a generation as expressed in this and other scriptures has reference to a period of time which is indefinite. The Savior said: ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.’ This did not have reference to a period of years, but to a period of wickedness. A generation may mean the time of this present dispensation. Moreover, the statement is qualified in this revelation in the above quotation. ‘For verily this generation shall not pass away,’ etc. It is not our intention to place any interpretation on this expression, but to say that these matters are in the hands of the Lord and he will accomplish his purposes when he considers that the time has come” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:337).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:17–20

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

“On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 30, 1998, … a Little League football team in Inkom, Idaho, was out on the field for its midweek practice. They had completed their warm-ups and were starting to run a few plays from scrimmage. Dark clouds were gathering, as they sometimes do in the fall, and it began to rain lightly, but that was of no concern to a group of boys who loved playing football.

“Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, an absolutely deafening crack of thunder split the air, inseparable from the flash of lightning that illuminated, literally electrified, the entire scene.

“At that very moment a young friend of mine, A. J. Edwards, … was ready for the ball on a handoff. … But the lightning that had illuminated earth and sky struck A. J. Edwards from the crown of his football helmet to the soles of his shoes.

“The impact of the strike stunned all the players, knocking a few to the ground, leaving one player temporarily without his sight and virtually all the rest of the players dazed and shaken. Instinctively they started running for the concrete pavilion adjacent to the park. Some of the boys began to cry. Many of them fell to their knees and began to pray. Through it all, A. J. Edwards lay motionless on the field.

“Brother David Johnson … rushed to the player’s side. He shouted to coach and fellow ward member Rex Shaffer, ‘I can’t get a pulse. He’s in cardiac arrest.’ These two men, rather miraculously both trained emergency medical technicians, started a life-against-death effort in CPR.

“Cradling A. J.’s head as the men worked was the young defensive coach of the team, 18-year-old Bryce Reynolds. … As he watched Brother Johnson and Brother Shaffer urgently applying CPR, he had an impression. I am confident it was a revelation from heaven in every sense of the word. … As he held this young deacon in his arms, he realized that for the first time in his life he needed to use his newly conferred Melchizedek Priesthood. … [He] had been ordained an elder just 39 days earlier.

“Whether he audibly spoke the words or only uttered them under his breath, [Bryce] Reynolds said: ‘A. J. Edwards, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the power and authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I bless you that you will be OK. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.’ As Bryce Reynolds closed that brief but fervent blessing offered in the language of an 18-year-old, A. J. Edwards drew his first renewed breath” (“Sanctify Yourselves,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 38–39).

“Now, my young friends of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, … not every priesthood declaration can command the renewal or the sustaining of life. Sometimes the will of God is otherwise. But young men, you will learn, if you have not already, that in frightening, even perilous moments, your faith and your priesthood will demand the very best of you and the best you can call down from heaven. You Aaronic Priesthood boys will not use your priesthood in exactly the same way an ordained elder uses the Melchizedek, but all priesthood bearers must be instruments in the hand of God. … You must be ready and worthy to act” (“Sanctify Yourselves,” 39).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22

President Russell M. Nelson:

“The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church. … Ordinances of the temple are absolutely crucial. We cannot return to God’s glory without them” (“Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple,”Ensign, Oct. 2010, 41).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:24–25

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that the Lord “took the Melchizedek Priesthood, which administers the gospel, out of their midst in the sense that it did not continue and pass from one priesthood holder to another in the normal and usual sense of the word. The keys of the priesthood were taken away with Moses so that any future priesthood ordinations required special divine authorization” (The Mortal Messiah, 4 vols. [1979–81], 1:60).

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“We learn through the Joseph Smith Translation that the Lord … instructed Moses: ‘I will take away the priesthood out of their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof.’ (JST Ex. 34:1; italics added.)

“This higher priesthood, with its attendant ordinances, was taken from Israel till the time of Jesus Christ. …

“Between Moses and Christ only certain prophets possessed the right to the higher priesthood and the blessings that could bring men into the presence of God” (“What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, 9).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:28

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“Luke says: ‘The word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.’ Later John is to say: ‘He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me,’ such and such things. (John 1:33.) Who sent him we do not know. We do know that ‘he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood [meaning, when he was eight years of age], and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power [note it well, not to the Aaronic Priesthood, but] to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power.’ (D&C 84:24.) We do not know when he received the Aaronic Priesthood, but obviously it came to him after his baptism, at whatever age was proper, and before he was sent by one whom he does not name to preach and baptize with water” (The Mortal Messiah, 4 vols. [1979–81], 1:384–85).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44

President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“We magnify our priesthood and enlarge our calling when we serve with diligence and enthusiasm in those responsibilities to which we are called by proper authority. … We magnify our calling, we enlarge the potential of our priesthood when we reach out to those in distress and give strength to those who falter. … We magnify our calling when we walk with honesty and integrity” (“Magnify Your Calling,” Ensign, May 1989, 48–49).

President Thomas S. Monson:

“How does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it. … I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to the trust which is conveyed when it is conferred” (“Priesthood Power,”Ensign, Nov. 1999, 49, 51).

President Russell M. Nelson:

“One day Sister Nelson and I will dwell together in the presence of our family and the Lord forevermore. We will have been faithful to covenants made in the temple and to the oath and covenant of the priesthood, which have assured us, in the words of the Lord, that ‘all that my Father hath shall be given unto [you]’ (D&C 84:38).

“Faithful sisters share the blessings of the priesthood. Think of those words ‘all that my Father hath.’ … It means that no earthly reward—no other success—could compensate for the bounties the Lord will bestow upon those who love Him, keep His commandments (see Moroni 4:3), and endure to the end (see D&C 14:7)” (“Identity, Priority, and Blessings,” Ensign, Aug. 2001, 10).

President Henry B. Eyring:

“Rising to the possibilities of the oath and covenant brings the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life. That is a purpose of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Through keeping the covenants as we receive the priesthood and renewing them in the temple ceremonies, we are promised by an oath made by our Heavenly Father, Elohim, that we will gain the fulness of His glory and live as He lives. We will have the blessing of being sealed in a family forever with the promise of eternal increase. …

“… There are at least two reasons why you should be confident rather than discouraged with the penalties that would follow either failing to keep the oath and covenant or deciding not to accept it. Whether you accept the oath and covenant and find it too difficult or if you fail to try, the penalty is the same. There is no question, therefore, that your best course and mine is to receive the holy priesthood and try with all of our hearts to keep its covenants. If we choose not to try, we would certainly lose the opportunity for eternal life. If we try and with God’s help succeed, we will gain eternal life.

“There is yet another reason to decide now that you will try with all your heart to qualify for that oath and covenant and have confidence that you will succeed. God promises you the help and power which, if you exercise faith, will give you success.

“Let me describe some of the blessings you will receive as you go forward in faith.

“First, the very fact that you have been offered the oath and covenant is evidence that God has chosen you, knowing your power and capacity. He has known you since you were with Him in the spirit world. With His foreknowledge of your strength, He has allowed you to find the true Church of Jesus Christ and to be offered the priesthood. You can feel confidence because you have evidence of His confidence in you.

“Second, as you will try to keep your covenants, the Savior has promised His personal help. He has said that as you go forward in honoring the priesthood: ‘There I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up’ [D&C 84:88]” (“Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 61–62).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:45–46

True to the Faith:

The Light of Christ is “an influence for good in the lives of all people. … [However,] the Light of Christ should not be confused with the Holy Ghost. It is not a personage, as the Holy Ghost is” (True to the Faith [2004], 96).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:46

President Boyd K. Packer:

“The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are different from each other. While they are sometimes described in the scriptures with the same words, they are two different and distinct entities. It is important for you to know about both of them. …

“The Light of Christ is defined in the scriptures as ‘the Spirit [which] giveth light to every man that cometh into the world’ (D&C 84:46; emphasis added); ‘the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed’ (D&C 88:13; see also John 1:4–9; D&C 84:45–47; 88:6; 93:9).

“And the Light of Christ is also described in the scriptures as ‘the Spirit of Jesus Christ’ (D&C 84:45), ‘the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 3:18; see also Mosiah 25:24), ‘the Spirit of truth’ (D&C 93:26), ‘the light of truth’ (D&C 88:6), ‘the Spirit of God’ (D&C 46:17), and ‘the Holy Spirit’ (D&C 45:57). Some of these terms are also used to refer to the Holy Ghost.

“The First Presidency has written, ‘There is a universally diffused essence which is the light and the life of the world, “which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” which proceedeth forth from the presence of God throughout the immensity of space, the light and power of which God bestows in different degrees to “them that ask him,” according to their faith and obedience.’ [“‘Receiving’ the Holy Ghost,” Improvement Era, Mar. 1916, 460.]

“Regardless of whether this inner light, this knowledge of right and wrong, is called the Light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it can direct us to moderate our actions—unless, that is, we subdue it or silence it” (“The Light of Christ,”Ensign, April 2005, 8–9).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:54–57

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“Some of the early missionaries, on returning home, were reproved by the Lord in section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants because they had treated lightly the Book of Mormon. As a result, their minds had been darkened. The Lord said that this kind of treatment of the Book of Mormon brought the whole Church under condemnation, even all of the children of Zion. And then the Lord said, ‘And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.’ (See D&C 84:54–57.) Are we still under that condemnation?

“… Grave consequences hang on our response to the Book of Mormon:

“‘Those who receive it in faith,’ said the Lord, ‘and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life;

“‘But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation—

“‘For the Lord God has spoken it.’ (D&C 20:14–16.)

“Is the Book of Mormon true? Yes.

“Who is it for? Us.

“What is its purpose? To bring men to Christ.

“How does it do this? By testifying of Christ and revealing His enemies.

“How are we to use it? We are to get a testimony of it, we are to teach from it, we are to hold it up as a standard and ‘hiss it forth.’ [See 2 Nephi 29:2.]

“Have we been doing this? Not as we should, nor as we must.

“Do eternal consequences rest upon our response to this book? Yes, either to our blessing or to our condemnation.

“Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 5).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:57

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“Do eternal consequences rest upon our response to this book? Yes, either to our blessing or to our condemnation.

“Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who does not” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,”Ensign, Jan. 1988, 5).

“Let us not remain under condemnation, with its scourge and judgment, by treating lightly this great and marvelous gift the Lord has given to us. Rather, let us win the promises associated with treasuring it up in our hearts” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:57–61

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“The Book of Mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the center of our personal study, family teaching, preaching, and missionary work. Of this we must repent” (“Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” Ensign, May 1986, 5–6).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:62

President Spencer W. Kimball:

“The scriptures are abundantly clear in stating that all members of the Church are responsible to do missionary work. …

“The prophets of this dispensation also have clearly taught the concept that missionary service is the responsibility of all members. President David O. McKay taught the principle with the challenging words, ‘Every member a missionary!’ (See Conference Report, April 1959, p. 122.)” (“It Becometh Every Man,” Ensign, Oct. 1977, 3).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:80,85, 87–88

President Henry B. Eyring:

“We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. (See D&C 84:88.) And He always keeps His word” (“Mountains to Climb,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 26).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:80–83

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“A special rule applies to those who are called to go into the world without purse or scrip and preach the gospel. For the time and season of their missionary service they are to have no concern about business enterprises or temporal pursuits. They are to be free of the encumbering obligations that always attend those who manage temporal affairs. Their whole attention and all of their strength and talents are to be centered on the work of the ministry, and they have the Father’s promise that he will look after their daily needs” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Volume 1: The Gospels, 3 vols. [1966–73], 1:243).

Doctrine and Covenants 84:80–85

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

“Thousands of missionaries have put this promise to the test and the Lord has kept his promise to all those who have been faithful in their calling. Surely if the Father notices when a sparrow falls, he will not forsake any who in faithful obedience to his will seek his aid. That there have been those who have gone forth and have been weary in body and mind, and who have gone hungry, there is no doubt, for there are missionaries who have not given all their heart to the Lord and they have idled away valuable time when it was needful for them to proclaim the truth” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:344).