Priesthood Power
One of the first scripture masteries for D&C seminary year is D&C 1:37-38 which tells us that whether it comes from God’s own voice or the voice of his servants it is the same. The challenge was given…”What did the servants of God tell us to do in the last conference?” I was pleasantly surprised to see that some students remembered some items. I then asked them specifically to tell me what President Monson, the prophet, had said. One or two items were remembered. I challenged them to at least always read the prophets comments in the conference issue of the Ensign and to take notes of what he asks us to do and then to try to do them. So in order not to be a hypocrite I am doing so with the April conference.
FYI in his opening statements for this past conference he…
1. Encouraged us to go to the temple more often and redeem our dead.
2. Contribute to the mission fund.
I am attending the temple more often, but forgot about the mission fund thing. Will have to remedy that.
Next came his priesthood talk, Priesthood Power, pg 66. I do not hold the priesthood, but I decided to follow Nephi’s advice and “liken” it to myself. What an eye opener.
Now the first few things he suggests are not specific to the priesthood. They are as follows (it is not a short list and I don’t think I got them all):
1. Do not subject yourself, even to the innuendo of immorality in TV, film, or music. Man, that takes away all TV watching. That one will be hard to adhere to.
2. Don’t swear. I am doing pretty good with that one. Don’t even think swear words much.
3. Don’t say or do anything of which you cannot be proud.
4. Stay away from porn. Good on that one, except for the innuendo’s I watch on TV.
5. Avoid alcohol, drugs, tobacco and anything else that is addictive.
6. Read the Book of Mormon and ask God for testimony.
7. Gain or strengthen your testimony.
8. Obey the commandments
9. Say your prayers.
10. Read your scriptures.
11. Repent.
12. Reject false teachings.
13. Get married in the temple (got that one).
14. Avoid divorce. Doing okay on that one too.
15. Be fiercely loyal to spouse.
16. Follow D&C 121
17. If you want your spouse to be the right person, then you have to be the right person.
18. Monson says we should do whatever it takes so we can make our marriage as happy as it was when we first started out. I don’t want to do that! We are much happier now.
19. Be honorable and above reproach.
I was pleased to observe that I was doing most of these things. But I would like to comment on a few of the things he said regarding marriage and the priesthood. He quotes President Hinckley, towards the end of the talk, who was discussing D&C 121:41 (see 41-46).
Now, I know that a lot of women in the church just skip this as something that pertains to the priesthood and sure, we need to be kind and whatnot, but we don’t read it thinking how it specifically applies to us.
Well, it does! The ultimate priesthood unit is the home. According to For the Strength of Youth, it is the most sacred unit in the church. It is made up of a presidency, husband, wife and the savior. It is a priesthood presidency and the wife is part of that presidency. How well the priesthood works in our home is dependent on how well we live up to the criteria of section 121:41-46. How well do we respect and treat the rest of that family presidency (all members)?.
In the fourth paragraph before the end of President Monson’s talk he says,”
“President Hinckley taught that it is up to each of use who hold the priesthood of God (or share in its blessings as a partner, wife, mother, sister, or just a female) to discipline ourselves so that we stand above the ways of the world (which demeans men). It is essential that we be honorable and decent men (and women). Our actions must be above reproach (no gossiping, complaining, or degrading our priesthood holders).
“The words we sepak, the way we treat others, and the way we live our lives all impact our effectiveness as men and boys holding the priesthood (our behavior towards our fathers, brothers, bishops, uncles, sons, etc. affects how effective they are or can be).
“The gift of the priesthood is priceless (how could we dare harm its effectiveness). It carries with it the authority to act as God’s servants, to administer to the sick, …”
I challenge my daughters and my cute daughter-in-law and any future ones I may have to really think about these verses. Just as we want our husbands to live them, we must live them too and support our priesthood holders and let them know how much we admire and appreciate them. Let us not do anything that would impede them in their work or ability to act in God’s name.
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