The oath and covenant of the priesthood

“Whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods … and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.” Your part is to obtain both priesthoods and magnify your calling. The Lord’s promise is sanctification by the Spirit unto the renewing of your body.

“They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.” The Church’s priesthood manual explains this as the privilege of administering the ordinances of salvation, and as receiving the blessings promised to Abraham and his seed.

“He that receiveth my servants receiveth me. And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father. And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.”

“This oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.” The Guide to the Scriptures says the Aaronic Priesthood is received by covenant alone. The Melchizedek Priesthood is received by unspoken oath as well as by covenant.

“Whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.” The 2017 Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual says this is a complete turning away, without repentance. It forfeits the blessings of exaltation. It is not automatically the sin against the Holy Ghost. President Marion G. Romney taught that failing to magnify a calling is not, by itself, the unpardonable sin.

“I now give unto you a commandment … to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.”