What are keys?
A key is information that brings into understanding ideas that were previously unknown or misunderstood, just as a physical key consists of a set of teeth whose shape and position provide access to whatever the lock protected.
Keys provide greater wisdom to understand and explain what is unknown or misunderstood, greater power to achieve God's will on earth as it is in heaven, and greater strength to overcome what would otherwise overcome you.
God's covenant can't be separated from his keys
The Lord told the children of Israel that those in his covenant would be shown marvels beyond anything done by others in the earth:
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. (Exodus 34:10)
Wherever his covenant exists, his wisdom, power, and strength are demonstrated.
The mortal ministry of Jesus Christ consisted of his demonstration of wisdom and power exceeding anything anyone had ever seen:
And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? (Mark 6:2)
Jesus had greater wisdom than any man:
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:42)
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. (Mark 11:18)
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7)
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22)
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. (Luke 20:26)
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. (Luke 2:47)
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. (Luke 4:32)
And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (Matthew 13:54)
Jesus had greater power than any man:
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Matthew 8:27)
And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. (Matthew 9:33)
But when the multitudes saw [the man with palsy healed], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. (Matthew 9:8)
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! (Matthew 21:20)
The man born blind given sight by Jesus upbraided the Pharisees who refused to acknowledge he came from God:
30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. (John 9)
Jesus had strength to overcome all things:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. (John 12:27)
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. (Alma 7:11)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. (Mosiah 3:7)
And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him. (3 Nephi 17:9)
How can you tell if someone has keys?
If someone has information that is superior to yours, how would you know?
Did Jesus’ fellows recognize the keys he held? Did David’s brothers or father recognize he had a special endowment of light? Did the high priest Eli realize Samuel was chosen of the Lord?
The only way you can recognize whether someone has keys is by understanding that keys are one and the same as information.
Jesus promised that his followers would not only demonstrate the same wisdom and works he did, but have even greater wisdom and works than he did:
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. (John 5:20)
Those who know something about God will do more and better than what others can do. They will speak with greater wisdom, act with greater power, and resist against greater opposition than others can.
If you find greater wisdom, greater power, and greater strength than you have, you have found someone who knows something about God beyond what you do. In the absence of these things, you can conclude that this person knows nothing more about God than you do.
Seek the wisdom, power, and strength God provided. He has not changed, and he gives all of these blessings to those who believe in him, just as he always has.
34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
39 But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church. (Moroni 7)
Consider watching this video with further ideas about keys.