On my first grandson receiving the Aaronic Priesthood

D&C 13: Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission on sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
These are the words recorded by Joseph Smith of the ordination of himself and Oliver Cowdery. Now you have this same priesthood. What does it mean? Membership in a quorum of friends? Recognition that you are now a young adult? Escape from Primary? Overnight camping trips and hikes? All of these – but so much more. What was John telling Joseph and Oliver and all of us who have received this priesthood?
Fellow servants: You now serve with John. Together. Neither better nor worse, neither more nor less important in the Kingdom. The two of you are “fellow servants.” In the Aaronic Priesthood there is a progression of responsibility, but that is just because of the need for training. In the Brotherhood of the Priesthood, all can contribute and every contribution builds the Kingdom.
In the name of Messiah: When you were baptized you took upon yourself the “name of Christ” or the “name of Messiah.” Now you are a part of the sacred ordinance in which the rest of us can renew our covenants to take upon us the name of Christ. All you do in your priesthood assignments and responsibilities, whether done well or not, will be done in the name of Messiah.
I confer the Priesthood of Aaron: Aaron was Moses’ advance man, event scheduler and facilitator, spokesman, facilities coordinator, backup, and most active supporter. His job was to make sure that Moses succeeded. What a model for the modern Aaronic Priestood. They run the most important part of the Sunday service. Their activities in many ways set the tone for the rest of the ward. The responsibility is “conferred.” In other words, you don’t join; you are called and ordained by someone with priesthood authority.
The Keys of the Ministering of Angels: Does this mean that without the Aaronic Priestood, angels don’t minister? This can’t be so because an angel named Moroni visited Joseph Smith before this time. I think that John gave us a clue in addressing Joseph and Oliver as “fellow servants.” Ministering of angels to me is the care of God’s children by other of God’s children on both sides of the veil – or fellow servants as John called them. Restoration of these keys is like the restoration of keys by other angels after the Kirtland Temple dedication. It caused a paradigm change to begin to grow among mankind, while at the same time gave the priesthood the responsibility to make sure that it happened. You now have share this responsibility.
The Keys of the Gospel of Repentance: What can you do about this when you are twelve? Lots! You now have seven years until you will be leaving for you mission. Will you be ready?
The Keys of Baptism by Immersion for the Remission of Sins: You don’t have this authority yet – it is like in Aaron’s time the difference between the authority held by the Levites and the authority held by descendents of Aaron. When you are 16 you will receive this authority. You may be called on to use it. I performed my first baptism when I was 16. When Russell Cowley, now a man in his mid-50’s, came to Grandpa Miller’s funeral he reminded me of the day when I baptized him and thanked me for it.
This shall never again be taken from the earth: This is a unique time in history. You will be taught by the World that history will go on like it is for years and years. It won’t. There will be an end. But you can be sure that the Fellowship of the Priesthood that you are now a part of will be here through it all.
I don’t think that any of us has any inkling of the importance of the step that you have just taken. We get used to things. We don’t see the “end from the beginning.” This may seem to be a small step now, but it will define your life. It has defined mine. I want you to know, Noah, that I know from experience and from the Holy Ghost that the Priesthood that was conferred upon me by my father is real and is the power and authority of the one true God.
With love, from Grandpa Miller