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ALLEN - Who holds priesthood keys in the church?
JOEL - Priesthood keys are used in two different ways:
1. The first refers to a specific right or privilege conferred upon all who receive the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood. … For instance, Aaronic Priesthood holders receive the keys of the ministering of angels and the keys of the preparatory gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins as proclaimed by John the Baptist (D&C 13:1; 84:26–27). Melchizedek Priesthood holders receive the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, the key of the knowledge of God, and the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church (D&C 84:19; 107:18)
These priesthood keys give us the right to have angels help us repent and perform covenants, give blessings, and declaring the word of God.
2. The second type of keys gives authority to direct, govern and control the exercise of priesthood authority. Ordinances that create a record in the Church require keys and cannot be done without authorization. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that “ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used.”
Those who hold the keys to govern in the Church include the following:
Jesus Christ holds all the keys to our salvation.
Adam holds the Keys of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
The Presidency of the Church and Apostles hold all the keys of the Priesthood and has the right to exercise them.
(Any one the twelve could lead and direct the Church if needed)
Presidency of the Seventy.
Bishops/Branch Presidents hold keys that allow them to preside over and direct the work of their ward.
Stake presidents hold keys that allow them to preside over and direct the work of their stake.
Mission presidents hold keys that allow them to preside over and direct the work of their mission.
Temple presidents hold keys that allow them to preside over and direct the work of their temple.
Quorum presidents hold keys that allow them to preside over and direct the work of their quorum.
Having a calling means having responsibilities. Holding priesthood keys means presiding over and directing the work of the priesthood. For instance, a calling of ward Young Men Advisor works under the direction of the bishop, who holds keys over the ward, but the Young Men Advisor’s responsibilities do not include presiding over a priesthood quorum, so he does not receive keys. On the other hand a Deacons quorum presdent holds keys to direct and lead his quorum
Women in the ward or stake don’t hold priesthood keys but do receive authority to lead through keys the Bishop or stake president holds.Women are given authority to perform temple ordinances for other women in the temples.
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