“The word elder has two meanings in the Church. It can refer in a general way to a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood. For example, missionaries and many General Authorities have the title of Elder. Elder also refers to a specific office in the Melchizedek Priesthood.
“In addition to the responsibilities mentioned in these scriptures, elders are to officiate in any calling that may be required of them. President Joseph F. Smith explained that elders may be asked to work in the temples, labor in the ministry at home, and assist in preaching the gospel to the world (see Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 184–85)” (DUTIES AND BLESSINGS OF THE PRIESTHOOD: BASIC MANUAL FOR PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS, PART A, LESSON 9: DUTIES OF THE ELDER AND THE HIGH PRIEST)
Duty is often grouped with honor. If a missionary has returned home and has done his duty he is said to have returned with honor.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:38-45
38 The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize;
39 And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;
40 And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—
41 And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;
45 The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.
-Responsible for ordinances
-Teach, expound, exhort
-conduct/preside
*we should respect stewardship and priesthood keys, but each elder has a mantle of leadership that needs to be exercised. We need to be leaders in our homes and communities. Again, one of the responsibilities of this is acting honorably.
Home teachers should counsel with the head of the household to determine the needs of the family, even to the level of what lessons they need.
Doctrine and Covenants 42:44
44 And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me.
Doctrine and Covenants 46:2
2 But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:11-12
Sabbath
Things to do on sabbath
Matthew 12:10-13
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Luke 13:10-17
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Luke 7:36-50
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wipedthem with the hairs of her head.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Taking upon his yoke gives us rest.
Some take Mark 2:27 to mean that the sabbath is a day for man to play.
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
This scripture is generally used to justify doing their pleasure on the sabbath. The sabbath being made for man does not mean that it is play time for man. It means it was made for man's good.
Jesus never said that there weren't rules for the sabbath. He was simply saying that the Jews had altered it to the point that it was not beneficial to man any longer. The sabbath is so man can regroup spiritually and have a different focus than other days.
Jesus changed the day the Sabbath was held on. He didn't change that it was a holy day. How is a day filled with sports and/or recreation holy? The Savior was charging His accusers with changing God's law with their own philosophies. Our culture is doing the same thing just on the other side of the pendulum.
Isaiah 58:13-14
13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Many Christians seem to miss this scripture. I don't know if it is because it is in the OT and its importance is sometimes minimized. I have heard preachers tell their congregations to patronize their local business after the Sunday services to keep the women from working on Sunday by cooking. What about the guy behind the counter that would like to go to his services or at the very least stay home and keep the sabbath, but can't because his boss is making him come to work to cover the large church crowds?
We have also become a society of pleasure boats and football games on Sunday.
From the Bulletin
"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God", Ensign, Nov. 2009,21-24
“In addition to the responsibilities mentioned in these scriptures, elders are to officiate in any calling that may be required of them. President Joseph F. Smith explained that elders may be asked to work in the temples, labor in the ministry at home, and assist in preaching the gospel to the world (see Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 184–85)” (DUTIES AND BLESSINGS OF THE PRIESTHOOD: BASIC MANUAL FOR PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS, PART A, LESSON 9: DUTIES OF THE ELDER AND THE HIGH PRIEST)
Duty is often grouped with honor. If a missionary has returned home and has done his duty he is said to have returned with honor.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:38-45
38 The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize;
39 And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;
40 And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—
41 And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;
42 And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church;
43 And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost;
44 And to take the lead of all meetings.45 The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.
-Responsible for ordinances
-Teach, expound, exhort
-conduct/preside
*we should respect stewardship and priesthood keys, but each elder has a mantle of leadership that needs to be exercised. We need to be leaders in our homes and communities. Again, one of the responsibilities of this is acting honorably.
Home teachers should counsel with the head of the household to determine the needs of the family, even to the level of what lessons they need.
Doctrine and Covenants 42:44
44 And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me.
Doctrine and Covenants 46:2
2 But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:11-12
11 An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high priest is not present.
12 The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, agreeable to the covenants and commandments of the church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when there are no higher authorities present.Sabbath
Things to do on sabbath
Matthew 12:10-13
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.Luke 13:10-17
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Luke 7:36-50
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wipedthem with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Taking upon his yoke gives us rest.
Some take Mark 2:27 to mean that the sabbath is a day for man to play.
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
This scripture is generally used to justify doing their pleasure on the sabbath. The sabbath being made for man does not mean that it is play time for man. It means it was made for man's good.
Jesus never said that there weren't rules for the sabbath. He was simply saying that the Jews had altered it to the point that it was not beneficial to man any longer. The sabbath is so man can regroup spiritually and have a different focus than other days.
Jesus changed the day the Sabbath was held on. He didn't change that it was a holy day. How is a day filled with sports and/or recreation holy? The Savior was charging His accusers with changing God's law with their own philosophies. Our culture is doing the same thing just on the other side of the pendulum.
Isaiah 58:13-14
13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Many Christians seem to miss this scripture. I don't know if it is because it is in the OT and its importance is sometimes minimized. I have heard preachers tell their congregations to patronize their local business after the Sunday services to keep the women from working on Sunday by cooking. What about the guy behind the counter that would like to go to his services or at the very least stay home and keep the sabbath, but can't because his boss is making him come to work to cover the large church crowds?
We have also become a society of pleasure boats and football games on Sunday.
From the Bulletin
"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God", Ensign, Nov. 2009,21-24
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