Today, I made a YouTube video on this topic. Here are my notes.

To hold the priesthood is to hold before others an example of righteousness.

1. Seek to be an example of righteousness…
   • …by doing those things you sincerely believe Jesus would be doing in your place.
   • Do the works of righteousness. Do good (2 Nephi 26:24, Alma 13)
   • Benefit yourself (so that you can…
   • Benefit others
2. Be a preacher of righteousness
   • Explain to others how the principles of faith and repentance should govern every aspect of their lives.
   • Find opportunities to teach faith in Jesus Christ.
   • Find opportunities to teach repentance.
3. Hold PPIs* with those within your stewardship.
   • Enquire about their welfare.
   • Enquire about their questions and concerns.
   • Seek to give and receive counsel with them.
   • Ask them if they are faithful in prayer and scripture study.
   • Ask them if they are faithfully fulfilling their responsibilities at home, school, work, and in all aspects of their lives.
   • Do not be afraid to be direct and to urge faithfulness and repentance.

You will have a very hard time doing these things if you are filled with guilt and if you are derelict in your faith and repentance. This should help motivate you to be the best you can be.

Guilt is a good thing if it helps you more clearly see the truth about yourself and to repent.

The reason why church leaders do not teach the pure doctrine of Christ is because they have not repented. The guilt they feel prevents them from teaching what the scriptures clearly teach.

We should not claim priesthood status that our spiritual experiences do not support. For example, what are the privileges of the priesthood you claim? Do you enjoy those privileges? If you are not honest about this, then the priesthood you claim is null and void.

Faith in Christ results in continuous repentance, even perfect repentance, wherein you live every day of your life with a clear conscience before God. This is to “live after the manner of happiness.”

Happiness comes through perfect faith in Christ and perfect repentance. There is no other path to true and lasting happiness.

* Personal Priesthood Interview (LDS parlance), basically a one-on-one meeting