November 5, 2025, 6:22 PM MST
PROVO, Utah — Sister Ella Hessing spent her last two months studying Chinese at the Provo Missionary Training Center in preparation for her upcoming mission in Taipei, Taiwan, while also experiencing a historic interregnum in the apostolate, the announcement of a new Church president, and the organization of a new First Presidency in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A sister missionary from Boise, Idaho, said that while at MTC, she followed the “solemn” and “sacred” process of prophetic inheritance with a new appreciation, even though she did not fully understand all its aspects.
“I don’t think we understand that. It’s kind of overlooked,” she said. “But it really does matter.”
When Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on this topic Tuesday, Nov. 4, in a devotional at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, a deeper understanding of priesthood authority, keys, and the divine order of Church leadership came to her and hundreds of other missionaries.
This devotional was also broadcast to 10 other MTCs in churches around the world.
“We are living in a remarkable time in the history of the Church, and I urge you to absorb it and savor it,” Elder Bednar said. “I pray that this article will stay with you forever and that it will help you understand more about yourself and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Elder Bednar was accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, in speaking.
priesthood
Elder Bednar taught principles of priesthood authority and keys to help missionaries understand “the grandeur, beauty, spiritual eloquence, and simplicity of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ” in connection with recent historical events, from the end of the Apostolic Interregnum to President Dallin H. Oaks’ installation as the 18th President of the Church.
He emphasized the following points:
Priesthood authority was conferred by a direct laying on of hands by a heavenly messenger to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The priesthood is the authority that represents God and acts in His name for the salvation of His sons and daughters. The priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to people on earth to perform the ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation. Priesthood authority is exercised under the direction of the person who holds the keys of the priesthood, and with those keys comes the right and responsibility to direct the work of the priesthood. Deserving boys and men are ordained to various offices in society. The Aaronic Priesthood (deacons, teachers, priests, bishops) and the Melchizedek Priesthood (elders, high priests, patriarchs, Seventies, apostles).
Elder Bednar said that when a man is ordained to the office of apostle of the Melchizedek Priesthood and set aside to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he will receive all the keys of the priesthood restored to the earth in this latter-day dispensation. Thus began President Oaks’ journey to become President of the Church 41 years ago when he was ordained and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The New Prophet and the First Presidency
Reading from Doctrine and Covenants 107, Elder Bednar explained the responsibilities of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. All 15 are prophets, seers, and revelators who hold all the keys, but only the President of the Church, the senior apostle and presiding high priest of the church, is authorized to wield all the keys.
Upon the death of a President of the Church, the First Presidency is dissolved and administrative authority is given to the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The gift of prophecy and the Lord’s work will continue uninterrupted.
“This brings simplicity and order to the work of the kingdom, the work of salvation and exaltation, which is unparalleled in any type of organization in the world,” Elder Bednar said.
He called President Oaks’ removal from office and his participation in the reorganization of the First Presidency “moving, sacred, powerful, and peaceful.”
“I testify that the Lord Jesus Christ began the process many years ago of preparing Dallin Harris Oaks to become the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify of the power of God that that happened.”
“The Lord loves missionaries”
In her speech, Sister Bednar posed thought-provoking and interactive questions to the missionaries on a variety of topics, including:
Fears and anxieties about missionary work. Valuable advice received from parents and church leaders. Good points and characteristics of your friends. The significance of wearing a missionary name tag.
After hearing the missionaries’ responses, Sister Bednar shared her own insights, quoting scripture, and concluded with her testimony.
“I know the Lord loves missionaries,” she said.
What the missionaries learned
After devotions, the missionaries shared what they had learned.
“It’s important to know that this church is not run like a business. It’s not like a board of directors, it’s a group of servants of the Lord, chosen by God,” said Sister Makenzie Byrd of Canton, Georgia, who is assigned to the Taiwan Taipei Mission.
Sister Ashley Manns, a native of Herriman, Utah, and assigned to the Canada Vancouver Mission, added, “No one lobbied or petitioned for prophethood. These men were called by God.”
Elder Teencum Tyrrell, a native of Taylorsville, Utah, assigned to the Washington, D.C. South Mission, appreciated learning about the organization of the Church. “It’s very simple and effective,” he said.
