The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

In the oath and covenant of the priesthood we are given this warning for not keeping the covenant on our end: “But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.” I remember when my bishop read this with me, as I was preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, he asked the question about whether we should even try to obtain the priesthood if the penalty was so severe for breaking that covenant. But then he read the next verse and suggested that the penalty was also strong against those who chose not to receive it at all: “And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:31-32). So we are condemned if we fail to obtain the priesthood, and we are condemned if we receive it but turn altogether from it. President Eyring made this comment: “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.” The best path forward for one preparing to receive the Melchizedek priesthood is to have faith in the Lord and in their own ability to be successful in the priesthood through His help.      

                Another reason that we should not be discouraged by the possibility of failure in receiving the priesthood is that the requirements in the oath and covenant for us are obtainable by all. There is no requirement that we cannot obtain to—all is dependent upon our agency and willingness. First, we are to “magnify our calling” which the Prophet Joseph Smith said means “to hold it up in dignity and importance, that the light of heaven may shine through one’s performance.” In other words, we need to give it importance and put it as a high priority in our lives. It is not that we have to accomplish superhuman tasks that only a few can do; we just have to choose to make our calling in the priesthood of upmost importance in our lives. Second, we are to “give diligent heed to the words of eternal life” (v43). This does not mean that we keep the commandments perfectly; rather, we are to be diligent in giving heed to “every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” That means a consistent seeking to understand the will of the Lord as found in the scriptures and in the words of modern prophets. Again it is a matter of priority and not one of talent or ability—we simply must make understanding and following the Lord’s commandments as the most important thing in our lives. This is something that all can do, but we must choose so to do. One of the words that is repeated multiple times in the oath and covenant of the priesthood is receive. We must receive the priesthood, receive the Savior, receive His servants, and ultimately receive the Father. All of us can do this, but it takes a conscious exercise of our agency to receive Him, His commandments, and ultimately the great blessings of the priesthood. I love how President Eyring summarized this idea at the end of this same talk: “He offers you an oath, a promise of eternal life, which He cannot break. I testify to you that the priesthood is the power by which God through His Son, Jesus Christ, created the worlds. I testify that God wants you to succeed and to come home again to live with Him in families forever. I testify to you that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. In it are the keys of the priesthood. It is that priesthood with which God has honored you. I promise you that He knows your capacities and that they are sufficient that you may with full faith have the hope of eternal life for you and for your families forever.” All those who are willing can come unto the priesthood and through this oath and covenant ultimately receive all that the Father has.