Church News article: Transcript of Interview with President Oaks and President Eyring about Revelation in Councils  (Feb 2022)

Purpose of high councils  (2,4)

• To settle important difficulties
• They supposed to act according to the law of heaven

Minimum quorum for action  (6-7)

However, alternates may be called to fill-in when necessary

Regulations concerning the First Presidency (9-11)

• Having counselors is a privilege
• In case of absence each member may act alone
• Upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church (107:22)
• Duty of the president of the church (read 107:91-92)

Procedures for church membership councils (12-23)

These were formerly known as "Church Courts" and "Church Disciplinary Councils"  The changes in the name are more than "cosmetic"--in fact it has profound implications on the manner by which we look upon these councils.  Can you see why?

Video: Introduction to Priesthood and Family - https://youtu.be/urZd30UUkSA (YouTube - 2020)

Essay: Insights on Names and Ordinances (2018)

Optional video:  Insights on the Priesthood (2017 - in case you have not watched it yet, or if you would like to review a few concepts)

Optional: read my essay: "The Doctrine of the Priesthood and Gender Issues" (2016)

The power, authority, and rights of the Melchizedek Priesthood (8,18-19)

• Right of presidency
• Power and authority over all the offices to administer in spiritual things
• Holds the keys of all spiritual blessings of the church
• To receive the mysteries of the kingdom
• To have the heavens open
• Enjoy communion with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn
• Enjoy communion woth and the presence of the Father and the Son
  

"[The] Melchizedek Priesthood ... holds the highest authority which pertains to the priesthood, and the keys of the Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity on the earth; ... [it] is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of salvation and every important matter is revealed from heaven.   Its institution was prior to the "foundation of this earth...", and [it] is the highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the order of the Son of God, and all other Priesthoods are only parts, ramifications, powers and blessings belonging to the same, and are held, controlled, and directed by it. ...

[the Melchizedek Priesthood] is the channel through which the Almighty commenced revealing His glory at the beginning of the creation of the earth, and through which He has continued to reveal Himself to the children of men to the present time, and through which He will make known his purposes to the end of time." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.166)

"The Priesthood of God, that was given to the ancients and is given to men in the latter days, is co-equal in duration with eternity—is without beginning of days or end of life. It is unchangeable in its system of government and its Gospel of salvation. It gives to Gods and angels their supremacy and power, and offers wealth, influence, posterity, exaltations, power, glory, kingdoms and thrones, ceaseless in their duration, to all who will accept them on the terms upon which they are offered." (Discourses of Brigham Young,  p.49)

• Holds the keys of the ministering of angels
• Administer in outward ordinances:
• The letter of the gospel
• Letter: a written communication issued from a court in attestation of an appointment, status, rights, or duties; an official communication conveying information or instructions or serving as an introduction; the outward (i.e. external or superficial) sense or significance

• Baptism of repentance

The Orders of the Priesthood
Doctrine and Covenants 107:1, 5-8, 18-20

Duties and role of the Twelve Apostles:  (23-24,33,35)

• Special witnesses of the name of Christ
• As a quorum they are equal in authority and power to the First Presidency
• Build the Church and regulate all its affairs in all nations
• "Open the door" of nations to the gospel

Duties and role of the Seventy:   (25-26,34)

• Preach the gospel and be special witnesses in all the world
• As a quorum they are equal in authority to the Quorum of the Twelve
• Act under the direction of the Twelve
• Build the Church and regulate all its affairs in all nations

All decisions made by these quorums must be unanimous (27-31)

• When some are unable to meet, a majority may form a quorum
• And their decisions must be made under specific conditions (30-31)
• An appeal is possible in the event of unrighteousness (32)

Priesthood Organization in the Church
Doctrine and Covenants 107:21-27, 30

 Patriarchs (39-40)

The ancient patriarchal line (41-52)

Pay close attention to the additional information about some of those ancient patriarchs in these verses-particularly Seth, Enoch, and Noah

An analogy regarding tribal affiliations and blessings -- Imagine a water tank with twelve faucets ...

The first great council (i.e. priesthood leadership meeting) in Adam-ondi-Ahman (53-56; concerning the future council, read D&C 116)
 

Bishops (68-76)

• Must be literal descendants of Aaron or high priests (69-71)
• A judge in Israel to do the business of the Church and sit in judgment (72)
  
• Optional Readings: The Dignity and Blessings of the Office of Bishop (from REL 480-Church Organization and Leadership)

The appeal process (78-80)

No one is exempt from Church discipline (81-84)

Sizes of priesthood quorums (85-89)

After all these explanations, let every man learn his duty and act diligently  (99-100)

To Let: to make; to cause; to allow; to permit

To Learn: to gain knowledge--or understanding of, or skill in--by study, instruction, or experience; to develop an ability to or readiness for by practice, training, or repeated experience; to memorize

Read my essay on the 40th anniversary of the 1978 Revelation (2018): Forty Years After 126 Years: Reflections from an Aging Black Man in Zion
(Video on YouTube - Salt Lake City, UT - 30 June 2018)

Optional Reading: My other essays on the subject:

Watch my lecture (2008): Thirty Years After the Long-Promised Day (video on YouTube)
Or read the transcript: Thirty Years After the Long-Promised Day (document on PDF)

Questions for Review

1. List the purposes of high councils. (102:2)

2. When the president of the church is absent, what can the two other presidents do? (102:11)

3. What privileges are included in the Melchizedek Priesthood? (107:18-19)

4. And what privileges are included in the Aaronic Priesthood? (107:20)

5. What is the relationship between the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve? (107:23-24)

6. How should decisions be reached in priesthood quorums? (107:27,30)