FHE-Aaronic Priesthood
by Shauna Gibby

Holding the Aaronic Priesthood carries with it the obligation of being a good example, with clean thoughts and proper behavior. We acquire these attributes as we carry out our priesthood duties. ~ James E. Faust

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Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “A 12-Year-Old Deacon,” by John M. Madsen, Ensign, May 2008, 55–57.

Thought:

In order for us to more clearly envision the divine destiny of this chosen and royal generation, we need only to reflect upon the 12-year-old Jesus, who went up to Jerusalem with His parents to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. (John M. Madsen, “A 12-Year-Old Deacon,” Ensign, May 2008, 55–57.)

Song:

“A Young Man Prepared,” Children’s Songbook, p. 166.

Scripture:

And behold, the high priests should travel, and also the elders, and also the lesser priests; but the deacons and teachers should be appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:111)

Lesson:

Use several small pieces of paper to make some fake coupons for a few businesses near your home that offer products that would be appealing to family members. Examples might include: “Buy one sandwich, get ten free,” “Take 90% off any item in the store,” or “Buy anything on the menu for ten cents.” Then announce to your family that you have some coupons to give away. Distribute the coupons to different family members and ask:

• What do you think would happen if you tried to use your coupon?

• Why wouldn’t any of these businesses accept the coupons?

• What if the coupon said, “Get into heaven free!” Do you think the Lord would accept it?

Discuss with family members what Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery came to realize as they translated the Book of Mormon (authority from God was needed to perform gospel ordinances). Have one family member read aloud Joseph Smith—History 1:68 and another D&C 13:1 to see what happened.

• What authority was restored to the earth on May 15, 1829?

• Who restored it?

• How do we know that John had this authority?

If you have access to a picture showing John the Baptist conferring the Aaronic Priesthood (such as Gospel Art Picture Kit 407), show it as you bear testimony of the reality of this sacred event. (Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 26.)

Story:

by Bishop Victor L. Brown

Michael is now sixteen years of age. His parents were members of the Piute Indian tribe. Michael was born without his eyesight. On the Indian reservation, this was considered a terrible handicap. His family was very poor, and a blind boy was more than they could cope with. So, when Michael was about seven years old, he was left on the desert to die. Fortunately, some passing tourists found him and took him to a hospital. It took a year for the doctors and nurses to save his life and restore his health.

During this experience of being left on the desert all alone without food and water, unable to see, Michael’s basic animal instincts for survival became so strong that he almost became an animal, fearing and hating everybody and everything. Eight years later, when I first met him, he told me he could remember the horror of being all alone—hungry, thirsty, and lost.

When he became well enough, Michael was sent to school. He was incorrigible. Because of his tragic experience, he destroyed everything he could get his hands on—paper, pencils, record player. Everything was his enemy. I suppose the school authorities despaired of ever reaching this boy. One day, they placed a call to a wonderful Latter-day Saint woman and asked her if she would mind taking an Indian boy into her home. She readily agreed.

Michael’s nature had not changed. He still considered everyone his enemy. He continued to destroy almost everything that came in his way. One day one of the neighbor boys, a boy by the name of Richard, became acquainted with Michael. Richard was bout fifteen years old. He was a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He took an interest in Michael and fast became his friend.

Richard came to the Presiding Bishopric’s Office one day and asked about the cost of the Book of Mormon in Braille. He had been saving his money for a long time so that he might purchase a Book of Mormon in Braille as a birthday present for his blind Indian buddy. The cost was more than Richard had saved. However, a kind person made it possible for him to obtain the book. As Michael read with his fingers, Richard followed along in his own Book of Mormon reading out loud, thus helping Michael over the more difficult words. As I visited with Michael, he said he had never read such wonderful stories. He said that everything he had read in the past was kid stuff, but the Book of Mormon was different. I asked him what the greatest desire of his heart was. This fifteen-year-old Indian boy replied: “To become sixteen years old so I can be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” He explained that he must wait until his sixteenth birthday because of the requirement of the agency responsible for him.

Michael had his sixteenth birthday just this August and was baptized by his buddy, Richard, who is now a priest. Just four weeks ago, Michael was ordained a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood by his foster father.

Michael told his mother that as he was being confirmed a member of the Church, the brightest feeling went through his entire body.

This last school year, Michael, the boy who was incorrigible, was honored for his excellence in school effort—excellence in deportment, scholarship, and progress—the only boy so honored by his school this year. He hopes someday to teach other blind children as he has been taught.

(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 1, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1970].)

Activity:

Play a family favorite board game or have a checkers tournament.

Refreshment:

Chocolate Cream Crunch

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

2 cup margarine, softened

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip, thawed and divided

1 6-ounce package instant chocolate pudding

1 6-ounce package instant vanilla pudding

3 cups milk, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crust by combining flour, pecans, and margarine in a small bowl. Press into bottom of 9x13-inch pan. Bake 20 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Fold in 1 cup of the Cool Whip. Blend well and spread over cooled crust. Chill. Combine instant chocolate pudding and 1 1⁄2 cups milk. Mix until smooth. Pour over cream cheese layer. Chill. Pudding will thicken in refrigerator. Repeat with instant vanilla pudding. Chill. Frost with remaining Cool Whip. Cut into 4-inch squares and serve. Makes 28 squares.

(Jill McKenzie, 52 Weeks of Proven Recipes for Picky Kids, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2008] p. 67.)

Deseret Book

Comments on this article	ADD COMMENT
fhe-aaronic priesthood Posted by brent from nissouri that is a very encouraging story. That boy michael is truly an inspiration to all young boys and old alike. Thanks for sending it.