Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood - Explained

The late Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Quorum of the Twelve once observed: "There are two main requirements of this oath and covenant. First is faithfulness, which denotes obedience to the laws of God and connotes true observance of all gospel standards. . . .
"The second requirement . . . is to magnify one's calling. To magnify is to honor, to exalt and glorify, and cause to be held in greater esteem or respect. It also means to increase the importance of, to enlarge and make greater."⁸
The Prophet Joseph Smith was once asked, "Brother Joseph, you frequently urge that we magnify our callings. What does this mean?" He is said to have replied, "To magnify a calling is to hold it up in dignity and importance, that the light of heaven may shine through one's performance to the gaze of other men. An elder magnifies his calling when he learns what his duties as an elder are and then performs them."
Author: Thomas S. Monson
Title: Our Sacred Priesthood Trust
Where: Ensign, May 2006, 54–57

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