Elder Dallin H. Oaks
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Priesthood authority functions in the family and in the church according to principles established by the Lord. While this authority presides in both, it functions in a different way in the home and the church.
"One important difference between its function in the church and in the family is the fact that all priesthood authority in the church functions under the direction of the one who holds the appropriate priesthood keys. In contrast, the authority that presides in the family — whether father or single-parent mother — functions in family matters without the need to get authorization from anyone holding priesthood keys."
The family and the church have a "mutually reinforcing" relationship. "When families are strong, the church is strong. The two run in parallel. Each is important and necessary, and each must be conducted with careful concern for the other.
"The family is dependent upon the church for doctrine, ordinances and priesthood keys. The church provides the teachings, authority and ordinances necessary to perpetuate family relationships to the eternities."
The function of priesthood authority in the home is described in the "Proclamation to the World on the Family." The proclamation explains that fathers and mothers are "obligated to help one another as equal partners."
"If men desire the Lord's blessing in their family leadership, they must exercise their priesthood authority according to the Lord's principles for its use."
