Every One That Hearkeneth to the Voice of the Spirit

The Come, Follow Me lesson this week on the 84^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants includes a discussion on the oath and covenant of the priesthood contained in verses 31-42. We generally think of the oath and covenant of the priesthood to pertain strictly to those men who are ordained to the priesthood, receiving an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. But the manual quotes an interesting statement by Elder Paul B. Peiper who suggested that it may be more broad than we think: “It is interesting that in the oath and covenant of the priesthood, the Lord uses the verbs obtain and receive. He does not use the verb ordain. It is in the temple that men and women—together—obtain and receive the blessings and power of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods.” Indeed, the text speaks of those who are “faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods” and the Lord blesses those who “receive this priesthood” and “receive my servants” and “receive my Father.” Surely both men and women do obtain the blessings of the priesthood in the house of the Lord, and both are commanded to receive the Lord’s servants and the covenants of the priesthood in order to obtain the blessings of the Father. So perhaps the oath and covenant of the priesthood should be just as important to women who make covenants with the Lord as it is to men who are ordained to an office in the priesthood. Indeed, President Nelson recently told the sisters of the church specifically to study this section of the Doctrine and Covenants: “I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with Doctrine and Covenants sections 84 and 107.” Clearly the message of this revelation is just as important for women as it is for men.

               Though the revelation does speak much of the holders of the priesthood and their duties—such as preaching the gospel—a few other verses highlight the universality of its message to all disciples of Christ. For example, I love this promise that the Lord gave: “And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father” (v47). Though the word man is used here, it is surely meant to represent mankind, meaning all men and women. This is emphasized by the promise that every one who follows the voice of the Spirit will come back unto God. All those who come to earth will be enlightened by the Spirit, and if they learn to hearken to that voice they will be led back to the Father. Another passage highlights a universal condemnation on men and women in the church at this time: “And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written” (54-57). All those who are children of Zion were under condemnation and needed to repent. The commandments the Lord gave are for all His disciples, men and women, and we likewise stand condemned if we do not follow them. Later in the revelation the Lord also highlighted the importance of all those who make up the church, reminiscent of Paul’s teachings: “Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect” (110). I love the promise the Lord gave at the end of the revelation to us all: “For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people” (v119). He will ultimately come to reign with all of His people—women and men—and those who have received the covenants of the priesthood and hearkened to His Spirit will see and know Him.