1 Samuel 2

As a stake Aaronic priesthood committee, we have recently felt a need to impress upon the minds of our young Aaronic priesthood holders the importance and sacred nature of the sacrament and sacrament meetings.  Worthiness is an important component of that.  The consequence can be great.  In the First Book of Samuel, we learn that -

"...the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 2:12)

"Belial" would suggest wicked and unworthy.  In performing their sacred priesthood duty -

"...if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 2:16 - 17)

Not only did they take this sacred duty lightly but -

"Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 2:22)

Obviously, they were far from being worthy.  Eli even approached them -

"...Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress.
25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him?"  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 2:23 - 25)

Eli's failure was that he allowed his sons to continue for -

"...there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 2:27 - 30)

And -

"...this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 2:34)

This is a great warning to priesthood leaders.  We later see the fulfillment of this prophecy as -

"...the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 4:11)