In his Sunday afternoon conference address, Elder James E. Faust spoke about keys that never rust. "These are the keys of life and salvation in the kingdom of God," he declared.
In relating the analogy of keys, Elder Faust of the Council of the Twelve told of his trip a few months ago to the old city of Jerusalem. He said that in St. Saviours Monastery is an old passageway. On one wall hung an assortment of ancient rusted keys."Today I speak of keys other than those of metal," he said.
Elder Faust explained that Peter, James and John conferred the keys of the kingdom of God upon the Prophet Joseph and ordained him to be an apostle and a special witness of the name of the Savior, and to bear the keys of his ministry. Keys that pertain to the gathering of Israel, the dispensation of Abraham and the keys of sealing were bestowed by Moses, Elias and Elijah.
Prior to his martyrdom, the Prophet conferred these keys upon the Quorum of the Twelve. After the death of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, as president of the Quorum of the Twelve, subsequently became president of the Church. "So it was with President Howard W. Hunter following the death of President Ezra Taft Benson," Elder Faust explained.
"On the 5th of June, 1994, the Quorum of the Twelve, of which President Hunter was then president, collectively holding all of the keys of the kingdom, convened in the Salt Lake Temple. President Howard W. Hunter was then ordained and set apart by the Twelve, with President Gordon B. Hinckley as voice for the Twelve. President Hunter thus became the president and legal administrator of the Church, and the only man authorized to dispense, oversee and exercise all of the keys of the kingdom of God on earth.
"The keys given by the Savior to Peter, James and John, and given by them to the Prophet Joseph Smith have not rusted. They will open all spiritual doors of the dispensation of the fullness of times."
Elder Faust continued, "There is only one head of this Church, and He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the head of all. Under Him stands President Howard W. Hunter, the man the Lord has selected to stand at the head of the Church, with his counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. All other organizations in the Church are subordinate to those who have these keys."
In speaking of the importance of following those who have the keys, Elder Faust added: "Among the members of the Church have been the living oracles of God who have held the keys to direct His holy work. Without prophets, seers and revelators the Church and kingdom of God cannot grow and prosper.
"I strongly counsel all who have membership in this Church to follow the teachings and counsel of those who now have the keys as prophets, seers and revelators."
