Two great events in Church history are commemorated in May and June - the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood under the hand of John the Baptist, and the restoration of the Melchezidek Priesthood under the hands of Peter, James and John.

It is important for us to remember both events. Without the restoration of the priesthood, there could be no eternal happiness for - as the prophets have taught through the ages - the priesthood is the means to exaltation. President Spencer W. Kimball said that "the priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things pertaining to the salvation of men. . . . How privileged we are to hold this precious priesthood, which is greater than that held by kings and emperors." (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 494-495.)No one can get the priesthood himself. Before the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery baptized each other they were given the authority to do so in accordance with scriptural precedence: "And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb. 5:4)

But holding the priesthood is not enough. We must also magnify our callings in the priesthood.

"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. "They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God." (D&C 84:33-34.)

"The priesthood is one of the greatest gifts and blessings a man can receive," said President N. Eldon Tanner, who served as a counselor in the First Presidency to four Church presidents. "Every parent, every teacher, every bishop and every stake president should teach the applicant what the priesthood is, and . . . that he appreciates what the priesthood means to him and what his obligations are.

"Surely when God authorizes any man to speak or act in his name, whether he be a deacon, teacher, priest, elder, seventy or high priest, he expects that man to be a worthy representative."

It is important to be a worthy representative of the Lord not only in our Church responsibilities but also in all our dealings with our fellow man, and especially in our families.

Think of the righteous example that worthy fathers, living the principles of the gospel, can set for their children. Such was the case for a man who related at his father's funeral how he had looked to his father - a worthy priesthood holder - for guidance, leadership and inspiration.

"I never heard my father raise his voice," the son recalled. "He had a gentle way with both people and animals. When he left the ranch for the city, the ranch's milk production dropped 20 percent because the cows missed his touch.

"Dad would listen to everyone, never interrupting, until the person had talked through his problem. He seldom criticized, only commenting, `You can do better.' "

Young men holding the Aaronic Priesthood should also be examples for righteousness. A man who spent the early years of his life in New Jersey remembers to this day the righteous influence the Aaronic Priesthood young men had on him when he was only 6. His father was an Aaronic Priesthood adviser and often would take the young boy with him on priesthood outings.

"I remember traveling 28 years ago from our home in New Jersey to the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania for a special program commemorating the restoration of the priesthood," he related. "The trip required several hours in the car, but the time flew by as the young men - who seemed very mature to a young boy - told stories, played games and treated me as if I were one of them.

"Upon our arrival, the program was conducted in a driving rainstorm. But the spirit of the event and the friendship and closeness exhibited by the enthusiastic, clean-cut holders of the Aaronic Priesthood and their adult leaders had a lasting impact and sparked a desire in me to some day be part of such a brotherhood."\ Our prophet, President Ezra Taft Benson, counsels us, "We know what the Lord expects of us. He said we should all `arise and shine forth,' and `be a standard for the nation.' Do we have the faith and courage to follow that course? I hope and pray we do."

To faithfully follow the course that has been laid out before us is our challenge as priesthood holders. As we pause to reflect on the significance of the restoration of the priesthood, may we ever keep in mind what a great privilege it is to hold that power and authority, but let us remember that with that privilege also comes responsibility.