Restoration of the Priesthood

Restoration of the Priesthood

May 25, 2026

The Restoration of the Priesthood is one of the foundational events of the restored gospel.

When we talk about the Restoration of the Priesthood, it is easy to think mostly about Church history:
heavenly messengers,
ordination,
keys,
and authority.

But the more I studied this topic, the more I realized the Restoration of the Priesthood was ultimately about Jesus Christ restoring His power, ordinances, and covenant authority to bless God’s children once again upon the earth.

A Return to an Old Pattern

Joseph Smith recorded that in May of 1829, he and Oliver Cowdery went into the woods to pray about baptism for the remission of sins. They had been translating the Book of Mormon and came across teachings about baptism and authority. Joseph recorded this:

“While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us…”

Then John the Baptist declared:

“Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;”

John the Baptist then explained that he acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John, who held the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which would later be conferred upon Joseph and Oliver as well.

Then, just a few years later, in the Kirtland Temple, the Savior Himself appeared in glory, followed by Moses, Elias, and Elijah, restoring additional priesthood keys connected to gathering Israel, covenant blessings, and eternal families.

As I studied these events, I realized the Restoration of the Priesthood was restoring the same pattern of divine authority, heavenly messengers, and priesthood keys found throughout the Bible.

In the New Testament, Christ established His Church and gave authority to His Apostles.

In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus said to Peter:

“I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”

Then shortly afterward, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto the Mount of Transfiguration, where Moses and Elijah appeared in glory.

John the Baptist restored the preparatory priesthood.
Peter, James, and John restored apostolic authority.
Moses restored the keys of the gathering of Israel.
Elijah restored the sealing power.

The same heavenly pattern seen in the Bible was happening again in the Restoration.

Modern Day Apostles Speak of the Restoration of the Priesthood

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk years ago called “Our Most Distinguishing Feature.” In that talk he quoted President David O. McKay asking this question:

“What is the most distinguishing feature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?”

President McKay answered:
“Divine authority by direct revelation.”

Elder Holland then said this:

“The priesthood of God, with its keys, its ordinances, its divine origin and ability to bind in heaven what is bound on earth, is as indispensable to the true Church of God as it is unique to it.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley also said:

“Without it there could be a church in name only.”

The Restoration, restored authority, restored ordinances, and it restored authorized administration in the name of Jesus Christ.

Elder Quentin L. Cook taught in this past General Conference:

“Priesthood ordinances and covenants are essential to obtaining the blessings made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

Quick sidebar:

One of the things I really appreciated about Elder Cook’s talk this past conference was his mention of Elijah. I took some time this week to go back and review the scriptures about Elijah in the Bible…

Sealed the Heavens – No Rain – then later brought the rain

Was fed by Ravens while hiding

Multiplied food for a Widow

Raised a Boy from the Dead

Called down Fire from Heaven

Was taken into heaven in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire.

I mean, come on, he’s definitely the first round draft pick to restore the Sealing Keys!

Restored the Sealing Keys – Eternal Families, Temple Sealings, Binding what’s done on earth in heaven

Thoughts on Priesthood Blessings

As I prepared this talk, my thoughts kept returning to this past year of my life.

As many of you know, last year included cancer treatments, a little uncertainty, and just some hard stuff.

Thankfully, today I stand here with the tumor gone and a complete positive response to the treatments I received.

I still have follow-up appointments ahead of me before hopefully one day hearing the words “cancer free,” but I cannot express enough gratitude to Heavenly Father for his mercy and all those that aligned in my favor.

When going through these treatments. I had a lot of down time to think about what was happening. I had a few sleepless nights when my mind was racing… I would take everything apart in my mind trying to “figure out the solution”. What treatment is working? Is it the chemo, is it the radiation, is it the pills? If it is the chemo, which IV is getting it done, the first two, the last one that absolutely floored me, or the one I take home in a fanny pack? My mind would wander all over the place.

Another thought I had was… So many people have told me they have been praying for me over and over again.

I had heard that my name was placed in multiple temples.

People fasted in my behalf.

I received a Priesthood blessing before chemo treatments.

And I found myself having that same thought again while preparing this talk.

Which of these petitions to the Lord healed me? Or how do all these things fit together?

What part did the priesthood blessing actually play in all of this?

Just like with the medical procedures I just mentioned. I don’t know that I have a solid answer.

Here is the conclusion I came to this week?

Our Heavenly Father’s work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”

We are to love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to love our neighbors on planet earth.

Think about our Heavenly Father looking down from heaven at the situation. He allowed one of His children to experience a difficult challenge. Then he watched as a handful of other children all gathered together to benefit that One with the problem. A few of them had a great love for the temple and knew that this child’s name needed to be found on the altars of the temple… the house of the Lord. A bunch of others knew that fasting is a good idea, so they skipped a few meals in hopes that it would alert heaven and call down powers to heal. A whole bunch of people spent a little extra time on their knees and sent repeated communications up to heaven for this child of God. And of course, two Melchizedek Priesthood holders laid their hands on this individual and formally pronounced a blessing with authority.

The power that heals, the power that comforts, the power that brings understanding, and the power that gives relief is the power that only Jesus Christ possesses.

With so many people aligned in faith in a common goal…

recognizing on bended knee that Jesus Christ ALONE has the power to heal

it had to be an incredible scene to behold for our Heavenly Father.

Our Heavenly Father got to observe a group of his children petitioning heaven showing hope, faith, and belief in His son Jesus Christ for the benefit of someone in need.

So, did one expression of faith matter more than another. No, each piece is a way that we unite in love and charity recognizing our Savior.

Did I actually need the priesthood blessing, that was enabled by the restoration of the priesthood? Did it have more power than all the other acts of faith?

I’m not sure that question needs an answer.

But it was good for me, and it was good for the two priesthood brethren who gave me the blessing and it was good for my family surrounding me observing that blessing. All of us again, united in recognition of who the Savior is, the power he has, and faith in what he could do to make me better.

Back to Priesthood Restoration

Make no mistake, the authority, keys, and power of the priesthood that has been restored was absolutely needed for a proper restoration of the church at this time, however, the actual restoration of a priesthood blessing by laying on of hands, is just a formal expression of a faith filled action, recognizing the Savior as the one that holds the power to heal.

A few scriptures to support this thought:

Doctrine & Covenants 50:22

“Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.”

Matthew 18:19–20

“If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Mosiah 18:21

“And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.”

James 5:14–16

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Through the Restoration, heaven restored authorized ways to administer ordinances, pronounce blessings, and formally act in the Savior’s name.

Helping all of us align ourselves with God’s will.

My Testimony

I testify that Jesus Christ restored His priesthood authority to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

I testify that heavenly messengers truly came.

I testify that the priesthood is real.

And I testify that Jesus Christ lives, leads His Church, and still blesses His children today.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.