[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Our family had enjoyed a fun-filled day
on the ski slopes, which was now coming to a frosty close.
Arriving at the car, I reached in my coat pocket for the keys,
and then another pocket and another.
"Where are the keys?"
Everyone was anxiously waiting on the keys.
The car battery was charged, and all the systems, including
the heater, were ready to go.
But without the keys, locked doors would deny entrance.
Without the keys, the engine would not
provide power to the vehicle.
Without keys, this wonderful miracle of engineering
was little more than plastic and metal.
Even though the car had great potential, without keys,
it could not perform its intended function.
The more I reflect on this experience,
the more profound this analogy has become to me.
And in particular, my heart is filled
with overwhelming gratitude for the restoration
of priesthood authority and priesthood keys.
Without this restoration, we would be locked out
from the vehicle necessary to transport us to our journey
home to Heavenly Parents.
The performance of every ordinance
of salvation comprising our covenant pathway back
to the presence of our Father in Heaven
requires appropriate governance through priesthood keys.
Now, for you young men and young women,
I have considered three ways that you can "find the keys,"
or use priesthood keys and authority
to bless your life and the lives of others.
Prepare for missionary service, attend the temple,
and go forward with faith.
The Lord has shown us that He will not
leave us standing in the bitter cold without keys or authority
to lead us safely home to Him.
I testify that priesthood authority and priesthood
keys start the engine, open the gates of heaven,
facilitate heavenly power, and pave the covenant pathway back
to our loving Heavenly Father.
I pray that you, the rising generation
of young men and young women, will press forward
with a steadfastness in Christ, that you may understand
that it is your sacred privilege to act
under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys.
[MUSIC PLAYING]