The oath and covenant of the priesthood is explained in Section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants, beginning with verse 33. Priesthood holders agree to do certain things, for which the Lord promises certain blessings. If they remain faithful, priesthood holders eventually will receive all the Father has.
To illustrate teachings pertaining to this oath and covenant, Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Presidency of the Seventy related a story based on a true experience. Speaking at October 1985 general conference, Elder Asay said:
"The son of a very wealthy man was called serve a full-time mission. He entered the mission field and began to work. At first, things went well; however, as he met rejections and as other challenges of finding and teaching surfaced, the young man's faith wavered.
"Mission associates gave encouragement, but it did not seem to help. One day the young man announced to the mission president that he was abandoning his call; he was returning home. The mission president did all within his power to dissuade the missionary. It was to no avail.
"When word of the missionary's decision reached the father, he obtained permission to visit his son in the mission field. In one of many tense conversations, the father said, 'My son, I have lived for the day when you would serve a full-time mission. I did so because I love you and I love God. And I know that there is no work more essential than that of teaching truth to the peoples of the world.'
"Somewhat sobered by his father's words, the son meekly replied, 'Dad, I didn't realize that a mission meant so much to you.'
" 'It means everything to me,' the father declared. Then he added with some emotion, 'All my life I have worked and saved with one person in mind: you. And my one goal has been to provide you with a decent inheritance.'
" 'But Dad,' the son interjected, 'the work is difficult and I don't enjoy. . . '
"The father didn't allow him to finish his sentence. Instead he asked, 'How can I trust my businesses to your care if you cannot prove yourself by serving the Lord for two short years?'
"There was an awkward pause as the son pondered the father's question and studied his anxious countenance.
"Then with measured words, the father promised, 'My son, my only heir, if you will be faithful in this calling and prove yourself worthy in every respect, all that I possess will be yours.'
"Noticeably touched by these earnest pleadings, the son rose to his feet, embraced his father, and sobbed, 'I will stay.'
"The son did stay in the mission field; he did serve faithfully from that day forward. And yes, in due time, he received from his father the promised inheritance, even all that his father had to share.
"My brethren, we are the sons of God. He has endowed us with power, and He has called each of us to serve missions in a place called mortality. Our missions mean very much to Him, and they should mean everything to us. In this mortal life, we are to prove ourselves worthy of His love and worthy of the inheritance He has offered.
"What is that inheritance? It is all that He has, even eternal life. This blessed and promised gift will be ours only if we keep the covenants, particularly the covenant of the priesthood, and remain faithful to the end."
"Somewhat sobered by his father's words, the son meekly replied, 'Dad, I didn't realize that a mission meant so much to you.'
" 'It means everything to me,' the father declared. Then he added with some emotion, 'All my life I have worked and saved with one person in mind: you. And my one goal has been to provide you with a decent inheritance.'
