This week in Church history
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President David O. McKay spoke about the importance of the Aaronic Priesthood during a meeting in the East Millcreek Stake on May 17, 1953. More than 500 boys holding that priesthood listened as President McKay gave an address in commemoration of the Aaronic Priesthood's restoration by John the Baptist to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on the banks of the Susquehanna River on May 15, 1829.
The Church leader counseled, according to an article in the May 23, 1953, Church News: "Each one of you is an authorized servant of God, given the Priesthood that you may represent the Father and the Son. What a mighty responsibility! It is no light thing to be a deacon or teacher or priest.
"It is time that everyone holding the Priesthood recognizes his authority and the responsibility that is his.
"You can never get away from the Priesthood, no matter in whatever circle you move. No powers can take it from you — only through sin and transgression or by being false to your trust can you lose that authority."
