Priesthood as a Covenant Trial

Joseph Smith explained that one of the tests of being ordained to the priesthood is to not exercise unrighteous dominion, among other things. The nature of this trial is that you are first called to the priesthood, or you receive the status of being called, then if you live according to the way a priesthood holder ought to live, then you reach the status of being chosen. Otherwise, you remain in the status of simply being called. Joseph Smith observed that most men fail this test. This passage describes the nature of this particular test, along with other aspects of the priesthood that we have already discussed:

34) Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35) Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36) That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37) That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

[The tests outlined are to see if you repent of your sins when necessary or if you cover them up, to see if you gratify your own ego trying to climb the hierarchy of church callings or not, to see if act like a dictator controlling your family and others at church under your stewardship or if you serve without regard to how others will respond. Notice that if you fail any of those tests the heavens, who are angels, will leave, implying that they are near when you are successfully on your way to fulfilling your priesthood duty. This is another proof of how close heavenly beings are to those who give faithful and proper priesthood service. Also notice that the Spirit of the Lord leaves when you fail any of these tests, and when it leaves it takes whatever priesthood you held with it, implying that it is the Spirit that gives real priesthood and authority, otherwise all you have is supposed priesthood and supposed authority.]

38) Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

39) We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

40) Hence many are called, but few are chosen. (D&C 121:34-40)

There are other covenant priesthood tests that we will investigate later.