Eighteen

Can you name the First Presidency and all members of the current Quorum of the Twelve? We started class today looking at their pictures and trying to name them all. Many students recognized their faces. Remembering names is more challenging. With General Conference coming up this weekend, it will be a blessing and an opportunity to learn their names and hear them speak.

Today we learned the names of the original Twelve Apostles called by Jesus Christ. We looked at a chart that tells more about each of them. Matthew 10:1 and 5-8 tell us that Jesus Christ gave them power against unclean spirits, the power to heal the sick, to cleanse the lepers, to raise the dead, to cast out devils, as well as the charge to gather the lost sheep and to preach. These responsibilities and powers come from our Heavenly Father through the Melchizedek Priesthood.

We know that the priesthood was taken from the earth after the death of the Apostles. We know it was restored again through the Prophet Joseph Smith. As the 5th Article of Faith says, "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." We are very blessed to have that authority on earth today.

We moved to the foyer near the bishop's office, talked more about the priesthood and the Twelve, and watched a clip on the computer of a conference talk given by Elder Holland in the October of 2000. He tells the story of a boy who was struck by lightning. The boy stopped breathing. A newly ordained elder was inspired to give him a blessing. Just after the blessing, the boy began breathing again. This story vividly portrays how the priesthood power is on the earth again today. You can read the entire story here in Elder Holland's talk.