Doctrine and Covenants 13: 1; 84: 26-27, 19; 107: 18

 

What are the blessings that we receive because of priesthood keys?

"1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." (Doctrine and Covenants 13: 1)

"26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb." (Doctrine and Covenants 84: 26-27)

"19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God." (Doctrine and Covenants 84: 19)

"18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—" (Doctrine and Covenants 107: 18)

And here's the commentary entitled: "What are priesthood keys?" : 

"Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Ruth, offered this explanation about priesthood keys:

“The term priesthood keys is used in two different ways. The first refers to a specific right or privilege conferred upon all who receive the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood. … For instance, Aaronic Priesthood holders receive the keys of the ministering of angels and the keys of the preparatory gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (see Doctrine and Covenants 13:1; 84:26–27). Melchizedek Priesthood holders receive the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, the key of the knowledge of God, and the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:19; 107:18). …

“The second way the term priesthood keys is used refers to leadership. Priesthood leaders receive additional priesthood keys, the right to preside over an organizational division of the Church or a quorum. In this regard, priesthood keys are the authority and power to direct, lead, and govern in the Church” (The Melchizedek Priesthood: Understanding the Doctrine, Living the Principles [2018], 26).

Through priesthood keys we receive and enjoy blessings in abundance, even all the spiritual blessings of the Church like the blessings of doing temple work. My husband and I did endowments for our ancestors tonight. We've been able to do temple work regularly since the temple here in Bangkok was dedicated more than a year ago. Without the priesthood keys, we wouldn't enjoy all the spiritual blessings of the Church including the opportunity to do the ordinances of the gospel for our ancestors through the temple work. 

Joseph Smith Baptizes Oliver Cowdery, by Del Parson"