Men and young men of the church gathered together as a worldwide body Saturday night to hear continued messages of inspiration during the Priesthood Session of the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The talks given by leaders of the church were focused on priesthood service and how to best minister that service, accompanying a momentous message.

Under the First Presidency’s direction and inspiration, it was announced that the elders quorum and the high priests groups of each ward will be combined as one quorum, rather than meeting separately.

The historic announcement significantly changes the priesthood makeup of wards and branches, completely dissolving ward high priest groups and high priest group ward leadership.

“In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum,” announced church President Russell M. Nelson.

Elders D. Todd Christofferson and Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, used their talks to answer potential questions about the change and why it was made.

“I devoutly hope that we will no longer speak in terms of being ‘advanced’ to another office in the Melchizedek Priesthood,” Christofferson said, explaining terminology that was used to describe an elder being called to the office of high priest.

Christofferson assured members of the priesthood that the modifications had been under consideration for months.

“We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members and report our contacts with them. To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for his saints,” Christofferson said.

Rasband explained that this change aligns the church with worldwide demands and needs. He told of congregations he’d attended where the high priests and elders already met as a single group primarily for the small attendance.

Rasband also clarified a few things with the tremendous announcement. Elders will be called to high priests when they are called to be in bishoprics, stake presidencies, stake high councils and functioning stake patriarchs.

“As brethren in these callings are released in due course, they will return to their home units as members of the elders quorum,” Rasband said.

Many other clarifications were spelled out in Rasband’s talk, including the possibility of multiple elders quorums in wards and what meetings will be held in the absence of a formal ward high priests group.

“What a joy it will be for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders to have the blessing of teaching, learning and serving shoulder-to-shoulder with all the members in their ward,” Rasband said.

A message of unity and effective ministering was shared in all three talks shared by Nelson, Christofferson and Rasband.

“These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have been previously,” Nelson said.

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, focused his message on ministering the priesthood to reassure those confused and perhaps apprehensive to the impactful changes.

“President Nelson has announced an inspired step forward in the Lord’s organized plan for his church,” he said.

Eyring shared numerous stories to describe unity in the priesthood, no matter the office or calling.

One 14-year-old, he said, gave a talk in sacrament meeting. The young teenager described what his priesthood office was in the talk and the duties it required.

“‘No matter where we are or what we are doing, we can be a good example of righteousness at all times and in all places,'” Eyring said, quoting the teenage boy.

Another story focused on an older priesthood holder and an attempt to contact seven families in their congregation. The man tried knocking on their doors, calling and even writing letters, to no response. But one day, one woman called him, panicked, needing his help. The man was asked to help the family take care of her boy for a month while she went away for military leave.

The boy made friends with families and became more receptive to the church. He eventually received the priesthood.

“It seems to me that we receive the holy spirit best when we are focused on serving others. This is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the savior,” Eyring said.

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, reviewed some of the fundamentals of the priesthood, as it was organized by Jesus Christ and how that continues to modern times.

Oaks reviewed how Jesus Christ conferred the priesthood to his apostles in biblical times, and that same pattern is followed today with priesthood holders. That authority, he said, is given for assignments to be carried out, not to be used as a lofty position.

“The Melchizedek Priesthood is not a status or a label. It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of God’s work for His children,” he said. “We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not ‘the priesthood.’ It is not appropriate to refer to ‘the priesthood and the women.’ We should refer to ‘the holders of the priesthood and the women.'”

That being said, Oaks said priesthood holders must be faithful to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the priesthood.

“If the Lord Himself were to ask you to help one of His sons or daughters — which He has done through His servants–would you do it?” he asked.

That faithful respect to the priesthood and to God extends to the family, Oaks said.

“If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do,” he said. “Fathers who hold the Melchizedek priesthood should keep the commandments so they will have the power of the priesthood to give blessings to their family members.”

Not to exclude the young men in the gathering, Brother Douglas D. Holmes, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, directed his message to the young men in the church and their leaders, to inspire them to have a greater understanding of the sacredness of the priesthood.

Holmes reminded the young men of the church that the priesthood authorizes them to minister to others through their powerful examples.

“Young men, you are authorized messengers, through your words and actions, you can bring faith in Christ to the hearts of God’s children,” he said.

By that same token, the priesthood, Holmes said, authorizes all of its righteous holders to help others repent and feel the strength of Jesus Christ’s atonement.

“Brethren, it is a sacred privilege to administer ordinances that bring a remission of sins to repentant hearts,” he said.

Holmes closed his message by emphasizing the duty Aaronic Priesthood holders possess and how it prepares them for later service.

“Young men, God has a work for you to do,” he said. “Your Aaronic Priesthood ordination is central to helping His children receive Christ’s atoning power. I promise as you put these sacred duties at the center of your life, you will feel the power of God as never before.”

Nelson arose again to give the closing address, focusing on how priesthood holders can properly serve and act.

“It is a remarkable blessing to serve in the Lord’s true and living church with his authority and power,” he said. “The restoration of the priesthood of God, including the keys of the priesthood, opens to worthy Latter-day Saints the greatest of all spiritual blessings.”

But, Nelson said, too many don’t understand the power or particular responsibilities of the priesthood. He described priesthood leaders and holders who fail to exercise that authority and power properly.

“Brethren, we hold the holy priesthood of God,” he said. “It is our privilege to act in the name of Jesus Christ to bless God’s children according to His will for them.”

Nelson said priesthood holders are in an “eternal brotherhood.” He then called on members of each priesthood office to stand until every priesthood holder to stand. He then called on everyone to sing the final hymn, “Rise Up, O Men of God.”

“While you sing, think of your duty as God’s mighty army to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. This is our charge,” he said.