God knows that lurking within priesthood holders lurks a natural man – prone to wander.
We must always beware lest we be swept off the road to exaltation.
1. Pray always
2. Study the scriptures
3. Receive the ordinances
4. Practice love
5. Pay an honest tithe
6. Fully live the law of chastity
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Brethren, each of you has entered, or will soon enter, into the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood.1 In that covenant is embedded a glorious journey that begins with receiving both the lesser and higher priesthoods, progresses through magnifying our callings, and climbs ever upward to God’s grandest vistas, until we receive “all that [the] Father hath.”
The wise designer of that celestial road has erected caution signs for our journey. The oath and covenant of the priesthood contains this soul-searching warning: “I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves.”
Why would God command us to beware? He knows that Satan is an actual being who seeks to drag down our souls into the gulf of misery. God also knows that lurking within priesthood holders is a “natural man” “prone to wander.” Thus, prophets invite us to “put off the old man” and “put on Christ” through faith, repentance, saving ordinances, and daily gospel living.
While ascending the priesthood path, any boy or man can be dragged down if he fails to beware.
The twin guardrails of deep personal conversion and strong family relations help keep us on the heavenly highway.
Knowing this, Satan dislodges conversion-crushing and family-fracturing boulders to cross our priesthood path. Thankfully, Jesus Christ and His prophets have placed “Beware” signs along the way. They consistently warn us of conversion-crushing pride and family-fracturing sins such as anger, greed, and lust.
To stay safely on the priesthood path amid rock slides of temptation, I remind us of six fundamental principles that deepen conversion and strengthen family.
1. Praying always opens the door for divine help to “conquer Satan.” Each time Jesus alerts priesthood holders to “beware, for Satan desireth to sift [you],” He prescribes prayer as the temptation-countering action.
2. Studying ancient and modern scripture connects us to God.
3. Worthily participating in ordinances prepares us to take “the Holy Spirit for [our] guide.”
4. Showing genuine love is at the heart of personal conversion and family relations. King Benjamin directed, “Beware lest there shall arise contentions among you.” Never forget that Satan is the “father of contention” and seeks that family members “fight and quarrel.” Brethren, if we are emotionally, verbally, or physically abusive to any member of our family, or bully any person, then we lose priesthood power.
5. Obeying the law of tithing is an essential element of faith and family unity. Because Satan uses greed and the pursuit of possessions to sweep families off the celestial highway.
6. Fully living the law of chastity yields confidence to stand “in the presence of God” with the Holy Ghost as our “constant companion.”
These six fundamental principles help priesthood holders continue up the heavenly highway safely between the spiritual guardrails of personal conversion and family relationships. Young men, obeying these principles will prepare you for temple covenants, full-time missionary service, and eternal marriage. Husbands and fathers, living these principles will qualify you to preside over the home in righteousness, serving as your family’s spiritual leader, with your wife as an equal partner.
I remember one crossing of the Rocky Mountains. After passing a “Beware: Falling Rocks” sign, my father noticed pebbles and small stones landing on the pavement in front of us. He quickly slowed the car to a near stop just as a basketball-sized boulder whizzed by us. Dad waited for the rock slide to cease before continuing. My father’s constant attention and immediate action ensured that our family safely reached our final destination.
I promise that if men keep the priesthood covenant to “beware concerning yourselves,” we and our families can be assured of safely and joyfully reaching our exalted destination in the celestial kingdom.
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