Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

[Guest]

In too many discussions during priesthood and in family I've often wondered what the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood actually is.  The unknowns orbit two aspects:

1) What exactly is the difference between an oath and a covenant?
2) How is the covenant one makes during the ordination to the priesthood vs. the covenant at baptism or the temple any different?

Well, the first part is mainly confusing because of today's usage of the words.  They almost mean the same thing.  But if we look in the 1828 dictionary, their meanings are somewhat different, and they hint at the reason both words are paired as they are.

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OATH, noun

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury

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COVENANT

3. In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God; the promise of God to man, that mans perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die.

The covenant of redemption, is the mutual agreement between the Father and Son, respecting the redemption of sinners by Christ.

The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel

We often talk of a covenant as a two way promise -- a contract.  And that was also a common meaning in 1828.  But that definition makes the "oath" part redundant.  HOWEVER, the third definition (quoted above) was specifically the theological meaning which is more one sided -- God's side.  So, I'd believe that the pairing in D&C 84:29-30 indicates that we are definitely talking about this theological definition.  Thus, the oath is man's part.  The covenant is the Lord's part.

Now as to the second question: What is different about this covenant?  Most of the time we hear that the covenants we make are all the same: We obey, have faith, repent, and continue to obey.  The Lord forgives and grants us His Spirit and grants us salvation/exaltation.  That pretty much covers everything doesn't it?

If all the covenants cover the same stuff, then why are we making different covenants to reaffirm the same covenants already made and are indeed required for the additional covenants?

I believe it is because the priesthood is required as the conduit to receive God's grace.  If the men of the priesthood do not receive the priesthood through obedience, then the ordinances of the priesthood don't invoke the power of godliness.  Without the power of God, we cannot be saved.  We can be obedient all we want, or repent all we want, or do whatever else.  But without the power of God it is for naught.

It is our specific responsibility to be righteous as we perform any priesthood ordinances.  That is different than any other covenant we make.  It is our specific responsibility to understand and learn how to receive the power of godliness to bless the lives of others.  Further, it brings greater condemnation on us if we fail to be true to that responsibility.

Edited January 25, 2017 by Guest

[Vort]

You've given me food for thought.

[skalenfehl]

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D&C 84:

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

 34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.

 35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

 36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

 37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

 38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

 39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.

 40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

One receives this "priest" HOOD (brotherHOOD, neighborHOOD, etc) by receiving the Lord Himself. It is an association with God and Gods and angels. One partakes in association with such High Priests after the order of the Son of God. It is the Father who gives the oath that one is a partaker of His glory, power, etc. He declares it. He alone confirms this priesthood by His own voice. And what is this priesthood and power associated with it? 

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JST Genesis 14:

 27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,

 28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;

 29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.

 30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;

 31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.

 32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven...

The fullness of this power is manifest in such great works. Nephi could shock his brothers. He could command the waters to be land if the Lord willed it. Alma could strike Korihor dumb. The brother of Jared could move Mount Zerin, Another Nephi could command the temple to be rent in twain and it would be so. Yet another Nephi cast out unclean spirits and raised his brother from the dead. Etc

[Blackmarch]

Good insight.