Lessons on Missionary Service
Appendix C

Introduction to the Dedicatory Prayer of the Paintsville Branch Building

Keys of the priesthood – One of the distinguishing features of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the doctrine of priesthood keys. The keys of the priesthood are the powers, rights, and authority to preside over the kingdom of God on the earth (which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and to direct all of its affairs.

“In their fullness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the Prophet and President of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p.136).

Mission presidents are delegated priesthood keys to preside over districts within the mission – When there are not enough members to organize wards within a stake in a particular geographic area the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is organized by branches within a district. Districts are presided over by the mission president.

The Martin District, comprised of five branches, was organized in eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia, and was part of the Kentucky Louisville Mission. For the three years I was the mission president of the Kentucky Louisville Mission I held the keys and had the responsibility to preside over the Martin District. During this time I gained a great love for the wonderful people of the Martin District.

During my tenure as mission president, the Church built three chapels in the Martin District; one each in Pikeville, Paintsville, and Hazard Kentucky. It was my responsibility and blessing to dedicate these buildings to the Lord and His work. The following is the Dedicatory Prayer of the Paintsville Branch Building given on November 17, 1991. Similar dedicatory prayers were given for the Pikeville and Hazard Branch Buildings: