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Breaking Priesthood Covenants

Breaking Priesthood Covenants

"One breaks [his] priesthood covenant by transgressing commandments--but also by leaving undone his duties. Accordingly, to break this covenant one needs only to do nothing."

(President Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball (1982), 497)

Covenants Priesthood Breaking

This is a very powerful quote from Pres. Kimball. Priesthood holders have great responsibilities and is not always about what they do, but also what they do not do. Home Teaching, visiting the sick and the afflicted, taking care of the widows and those in need are just some of them. When a Priesthood holder finds he does not have "time" to do these things or directly refuses to is breaking the covenants he made about honoring his Priesthood.

Breaking Priesthood Covenants Studies Doctrine Mormon

"When we receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, we receive what is called 'the oath and covenant' of the priesthood. We promise the Lord two things, and He promises us two things. We promise to be 'faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods' and faithful in 'magnifying [our] calling.' He promises that we will be 'sanctified by the Spirit.' Then after we are faithful in all things to the end, He promises that 'all that my Father hath shall be given [us]' (see D&C 84:33-41)."
Ref. (Stanley G. Ellis, "He Trusts Us!" Ensign, Nov. 2006, 51)

Covenants Priesthood Breaking

I don't get all my home teaching done every month. I also sometimes don't go to all the scout campouts (I'm an assistant scout leader).

We chose to have a large family and a "traditional" household where my wife stays at home (just like the church teaches right?). So I am the sole breadwinner. Honestly, that's not a very economically viable family model these days. So I work 45+ hours a week and have 10 hours of comuting.

I drive my kids to seminary in the morning at 5:30am, then help car pool kids to school. If I am lucky, I get home in the evening and see my family for about an hour or so before they all go to bed. None of my home teaching families want me to come by and visit them at 10pm at night or before 5am in the morning :-)

I've found over the past 17 years being married that my family starts to fall apart emotionally and my wife becomes very frustrated and worn out if I don't spend enough time at home helping.

While I understand the point of this thread topic, the church has a way of talking and talking and talking about a lot of responsibilities. I used to really worry about it all. Am I good enough? Why can't I get it all done AND have the picture perfect family. Is my wife evil for demanding that I be home and help her? Or should she be a better person and allow me to spend even more time away taking care of OTHER people's families -- teaching them the Gospel, taking care of the broken things around their house, helping them with stuff.

Some other priesthood holder can come to MY home and take care of all that stuff for me right (my home teacher)?

I'm not saying all these things aren't right. Home teaching is a great service. Everything the church talks about is nice. I'm not going to diminish the great things I *DO* accomplish building the kingdom of God and get all down about it because I can't check everything off on my to-do list.

Covenants Priesthood Breaking

Brian, thanks for sharing from experience. I think as members of the Church we forget that when the leaders speak and counsel us in General Conference as an example, they do it for the general membership and not for the exceptions neither for individual cases.

In my opinion, I believe your first responsibility is towards your family and then others, having said that, nobody has the perfect family and many times little or big sacrifices are also made to serve the Lord and others. Home Teaching is something that will strength your family as well as you honor your Priesthood responsibilities. Maybe Sunday is the only day you will be able to do both, spend some time with your family as well as do your Home Teaching. I believe there is always a way once we are willing and share our desire to the Lord.

Even though I think we do not have to stress over the fact we cannot always do everything in our to-do list, we should be careful not to fall into complacency.

Breaking Priesthood Covenants

"Each of us has duties associated with the sacred priesthood which we bear. Whether we bear the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood, much is expected of each of us. The Lord Himself summed up our responsibility when He, in the revelation on the priesthood, urged,

'Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence' (D&C 107:99)."

Ref. Thomas S. Monson, "True to Our Priesthood Trust," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 56