"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining of these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. . . .
"And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;"For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
"And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
"And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
"And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
"Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved." (D&C 84:33-40.)
The Prophet Joseph Smith designated Section 84 as a revelation on priesthood. In this revelation, powerful promises and serious warnings are given to those who hold the priesthood.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught: "The faithful in the priesthood are those who fulfill the covenant by magnifying their calling' and livingby every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.' Far more seems to be implied in these requirements than token obedience - far more is needed than mere attendance at a few meetings and token fulfillment of assignments. The perfection of body and spirit are implied, and that includes the kind of service that goes far beyond the normal definition of duty. . . .
"One breaks the priesthood covenant by transgressing commandments - but also by leaving undone his duties. Accordingly, to break this covenant one needs only to do nothing." (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 496-7.)
In Church History and Modern Revelation, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, then of the Council of the Twelve, wrote: "Every man who is ordained to an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood should realize fully just what that ordination means. He receives the Priesthood with an oath and covenant that he will magnify his calling and be faithful therein. . . . This oath and covenant cannot be treated lightly, and if broken and altogether turned from, the man thus guilty has no forgiveness, that is to say, he will not have these privileges granted to him which bring exaltation, or `all that the Father hath.' "
In a discourse delivered in the Tabernacle on Jan. 4, 1857, President Lorenzo Snow said:
"Men who wish to retain their standing before God in the Holy Priesthood must have the spirit of prophecy, and be qualified to administer life and salvation to the people . . . that their hearts may be inspired with the words of life . . . . This having a little of the Spirit when before the people and then laying it aside, will not do.""
