In the October 2023 Liahona, President Dallin H. Oaks wrote an article called “The Sure Witness of Modern Prophets.” He explains the importance of priesthood keys in the ordination and authority of living prophets.

Key Points

• The divine authority of priesthood keys is traceable only to Apostles and is only available by ordination.
• The priesthood keys originally held by Jesus Christ were lost through Apostasy and only became available again through the Restoration as revealed to Joseph Smith.
• Jesus Christ directs his church today through direction to His authorized prophets and apostles.
• Special witnesses have a unique testimony of the Savior.
• When you don’t understand every teaching that is given, you can know for yourself if a prophet is a prophet.
• An apostle is trained by the Lord for his holy calling.

Reflection Questions

What blessings do I enjoy because priesthood keys are on the earth today?

How can my own testimony of the Savior be strengthened by special witnesses?

What have I done (or can I do) to strengthen my testimony that the prophet is truly a prophet?

This is part of a series sharing talks and resources related to the role of living prophets in our personal lives and in the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I attempt to share reliable sources and accurately represent what the Lord and His authorized servants have taught, but my insights are my own and I am not an official Church representative.