"Unchanging principles are so because they come from our unchanging Heavenly Father," said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve at the October 1993 general conference. "Try as they might, no parliament or congress could ever repeal the law of earth's gravity or amend the Ten Commandments. Those laws are constant. All laws of nature and of God are part of the everlasting gospel. Thus, there are many unchanging principles."

One of those unchanging principles is that of the priesthood. "The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that `the Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith

Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938T, p. 157.)"We know that `the Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157.)

"Scriptures certify that the priesthood has continued and will continue `through the lineage of

theT fathers.' (D&C 86:8.) Ordination to its offices has timeless implication as well. Tenure in priesthood office may extend into postmortal realms. For example, scriptures declare that one ordained as a high priest may be a high priest forever. Promised blessings of the priesthood extend to men, women, and children throughout the world and may endure forever."

Elder Nelson said that the use of the priesthood is carefully controlled according to conditions established by the Lord, who said:

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.' (D&C 121:41.)

"That [the rights of the priesthood] may be conferred upon [men], it is true; but when [they] undertake to cover [their] sins, or to gratify [their] pride, [their] vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, . . . the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.' (D&C 121:37.)

"While the priesthood is an everlasting principle, those privileged to exercise its authority must maintain themselves daily as worthy vessels," Elder Nelson said.