1. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
A small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt.

2. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
Any of various devices resembling or functioning as a key: the key of a clock

3. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
Something that affords a means of access: the key to happiness.

4. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
Something that secures or controls entrance to a place: Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.

5. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
Something that affords a means of clarifying a problem

6. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
The system, method, pattern etc used to decode or decipher

7. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?
A pin, bolt, or other piece which locks or holds parts of a mechanism or structure together

8. What is a “KEY”? Symbolism?

9. What do these three things have to do with each other?
Driver’s License
Keys
Ford Escape
Ask to use Brandon’s drivers license.
Hold up Brandon’s drivers license.
What can we assume about a person who has a drivers license? (that they have the “authority” to drive)
Give it to someone else in the class that does not have a license.
Does that mean that because I have given the license to _______ that he/she now has the authority to drive?
Why not? They have a drivers license
Hold up keys.... Brandon I am going to give you the keys to my car to run an errand for me... does this mean you can now borrow my car? (yes, because he has both the driver’s license, the keys and my permission)
What do these three things have to do with each other?

10. The “KEYs” of
Spiritual Authority

11. Jesus promised to give to Peter the Keys to the Kingdom
Read Matthew 16:19- look what Jesus promised to give Peter.
This includes the sealing power.
Peter is authorized to serve as the president of the Church after the Savior leaves (he will be given the keys)
Matthew 17 is where Peter received them

12. Matthew 7:1-13 Mark 9:2-32 Luke 9:28-45
The accounts of the Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9: 2-32, Luke 9:28-45
Of all the gospel writers - Matt, Mark, Luke, John - Only ONE of them was actually a participant in the events - AND HE was THE ONLY ONE NOT to write about it. - Why do YOU think this was so?
Some spiritual events which occur to you are just too sacred to share.
Matthew 7:1-13
Mark 9:2-32
Luke 9:28-45

13. Of all the Gospel writers, only 1 of them was actually a participant in the events and HE was the only one NOT to write about it…. Why?
Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9: 2-32, Luke 9:28-45
Of all the gospel writers - Matt, Mark, Luke, John - Only ONE of them was actually a participant in the events - AND HE was THE ONLY ONE NOT to write about it. - Why do YOU think this was so?
Some spiritual events which occur to you are just too sacred to share.

14. 6 months before Crucifixion
Matthew 17:1
Mark 9:2
Read Matthew 17:1
There is no record of what happened in the week following Peter’s testimony of Christ, James E Talmage “We may safely assume that the time was devoted, in part at least, to the further instruction of the Twelve respecting the rapidly approaching consummation of the Savior’s mission on earth (or in other words His Crucifiction)
Sometime in October
6 months before Crucifixion

15. What does it mean to be “transfigured?
D&C 67:11
Moses 1:11
A temporary change in a person’s appearance & nature
A transformation to a more glorified state.
It is brought about by the power of God.

16. Has Anyone else been “Transfigured”?
A temporary change in a person’s appearance & nature
A transformation to a more glorified state.
Their bodies were changed temporarily so they “could behold the things of God”

17. for the spiritual event to come
Luke 9:28
One of the purposes of the Lord’s going to the Mountain was that of prayer, while he was praying the 3 Apostles.. Peter, James and John had fallen asleep, but were woken up by the transfiguration of Jesus.....read Luke 9:32.
When they woke up - feeling a perhaps a little sheepish for missing part of the marvelous experience but wanting to reverence it still the same - Peter suggests something to Jesus- Read Luke 9:33
Who was it that had appeared to Jesus in this experience & what were they talking about? Luke 9:30-31
Preparation
for the spiritual event to come

18. One of the purposes of the Lord’s going to the Mountain was that of prayer, while he was praying the 3 Apostles.. Peter, James and John had fallen asleep, but were woken up by the transfiguration of Jesus.....read Luke 9:32.
When they woke up - feeling a perhaps a little sheepish for missing part of the marvelous experience but wanting to reverence it still the same - Peter suggests something to Jesus- Read Luke 9:33
Who was it that had appeared to Jesus in this experience & what were they talking about? Luke 9:30-31
Luke 9:32
Luke 9:33
Luke 9:30-31

19. Key Events in the Kingdom
On this Mountain - occurred Key Events in the Kingdom of God - But before we discuss the Events & their significance -
Key Events in the Kingdom

20. Who appeared there & why?
Matthew 17:3
Moses and Elias (Elijah; see foot- note 3b) appeared.
The name Elias is used several ways in the scriptures:
  In Matt. 17:3-4 it is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Elijah.
  In other places such as Matt. 17:10-13, it is used as a title de- scribing a forerunner, or preparer.
Moses restored the keys of the Gathering of Israel
Elijah restored the keys of the sealing power
They received from Jesus, Moses, and Elijah the priesthood keys they would need to govern the Church after the Savior’s death
D&C 110:13-16
D&C 110:11

21. Transfigured vs Translated
Moses & 70 Elders
Abinadi (Mosiah 13:5-9)
Nephi & Lehi (Hel 5:23)
Joseph & Sydney (D&C 76:12)
Transfigured vs Translated
Transfigured beings
Moses (Moses 1:11)
Moses & 70 elders (Ex 24:9-11)
Moses (Ex 34:29)
Abinadi (Mosiah 13:5-9)
Nephi & Lehi (Helaman 5:23)
Joseph Smith & Sydney Rigdon (D&C 76:12)
Enoch
Moses
Elijah
John the Beloved
3 Nephites

22. Translated beings “never taste of death.
3 Nephi 28:7
Translated beings “never taste of death.
At the Second Coming translated beings will be immediately changed to a resurrected condition.
3 Nephi 28:8
and 39-40
They can appear and disappear like angels
3 Nephi 28:30
They suffer neither “pain nor sorrow” except for the sins of the world.
3 Nephi 28:38
3 Nephi 28:39
Satan cannot tempt them

23. D&C 63:20-21
Peter, James, and John saw a vision of the transfiguration of the earth at the Savior’s Second Coming.

24. Luke 9:31 JST

25. The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God
The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has this authority delegated to him.
But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order.

26. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood.
In their fulness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church.
He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor”

27. So what can WE know & understand because of this event?
Jesus’ Transfiguration
“was meant for
our spiritual enlightenment as well as for those who were personal witnesses”
Elder David B. Haight, Ensign, May 1977
So what can WE know & understand because of this event?

28. Perhaps Jesus felt not only a sense of the heavenly calm which that solitary opportunity for communion with His Father would bring, but even more, a sense that He would be support- ed in the coming hour by ministrations not of this earth. ... As He prayed to His Father, He was elevated far above the doubt and wickedness of the world which had rejected Him.
We should follow the Savior’s example by praying fervently when we need spiritual strength

29. We can have the assurance that Jesus will strengthen us as he did
He took His three apostles with Him in the belief that they, after having seen His glory ... might be fortified, that their faith might be strength- ened to prepare them for the insults and humiliating events which were to follow.
We can have the assurance that Jesus
will strengthen us as he did
Peter, James, and John.

30. Discuss the symbolism of the various definitions of the word “Key” and how they apply to the Priesthood Authority.
We are blessed to have revelation in the Church today that is made available through the priesthood keys held by the appointed apostles and leaders who have been called to serve us.

31. Many years ago President Spencer W
Many years ago President Spencer W. Kimball and several other Church leaders visited the small cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark, that houses Bertel Thorvaldsen’s famous statues of Jesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles.
Speaking of this experience, Elder Rex D. Pinegar said: “As we looked at those beautiful works of art we noted that Peter was sculptured with large keys in his hands. ... As we were ready to leave the cathedral, the Danish caretaker ... was standing near the door awaiting our departure.
President Kimball shook his hand [and] thanked him for his kindness in letting us visit the cathedral. Then the president began an explanation of the church established by Jesus Christ and of its importance to us. ... Gathering President Tanner, Elder Monson, and Elder Packer closer to him, the president continued, ‘We are living apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are Twelve Apostles and three others who are the presidency of the Church. We hold the real keys, as Peter did, and we use them every day. They are in use constantly’
” (Ensign, Nov. 1976, 69).

32. The Keys of the Kingdom of God are Here!
“I say to the Latter-day Saints the keys of the kingdom of God are here, and they are going to stay here, too, until the coming of the Son of Man.
Let all Israel understand that.
The Keys of the Kingdom of God are Here!