This last Sunday in our Elders Quorum we were afforded the opportunity to go over the Ordinances and blessings we perform as priesthood holders. One thing that came up is the distinction between power and authority. Many of us there were present are authorized to perform the ordinances but we may not have the power vested in us. This is due to circumstances occurring in our lives etc.
So this brings up several interesting points. First we must acquire the authority (i.e. receive the Priesthood) then learn our duty and at the same time do all in our ability to be vested with the power of the Priesthood as we go about doing our duty through our righteous living.
Many may not bring into this discussion much the area of Duty. Some times it seems they are talked about separately. Duty and power of the Priesthood.
The duties of the Priesthood vary as do the offices which are held within the Priesthood. A Deacon will have very different duties to that of a Bishop. Can one say that the duties of the Bishop are greater then those of Lowly Teacher? Yes, they can but, it is no more important to fulfill your duty as a Teacher then it is those of a Bishop. The Bishop has no more opportunity to obtain the highest levels in the Celestial Kingdom then does the Deacon if they fulfill their duties to the fullest. A very interesting concept, right.
We discussed a situation were a missionary had hurt himself badly in a sporting accident. He was pending surgery and the possibility that he may have to return home early. At the time Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles was in the area and the missionary felt impressed to ask him for a blessing. His chance slipped away due to circumstance beyond his control. Eventual, his mission president asked if he'd like a blessing as he was looking a bit depressed. They all came to the realization that the power and authority of the Priesthood vested in that mission president was the same at the member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Great results came from that blessing and a grand lesson was learned. You will not be further blessed simply because a general authority gives you the blessing. We might think so since they seem to have more faith and possess what seems like more power via their righteous living. The Young worthy 12 year old Deacon has just as much right, Power and authority to call down angels to assist him as a Seventy in an area presidency does. As long as it is the will of the Lord it can be done. If it will help accomplish his aims he will let it happen.
At times we may feel overwhelmed. We may feel inadequate etc. That is natural since we to often are not properly instructed. Too often those of us that have the Priesthood do not understand our duty or let alone the power the Lord has vested in us. Remember this is not something we go seeking after. Not something we proposition the congregation for. Thus because all of us as leaders and followers are mere mortals we have our faults and short comings. We strive to progress and become better. We begin to see the grand picture and not just that which is in front of us or comprehensible by our small minds. The Lord can see the begin and the end. His wisdom and knowledge is thus far greater then our own.
"At times the wisdom of God appears as being foolish or just too
difficult, but one of the greatest and most valuable lessons we can
learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man
will always be right."
Willing and Worthy to Serve Thomas S. Monson
Hopefully we are instructed just as well as Elder Uchtdorf was as a young Deacon.
"Instead, he spent time with me and helped me understand not only the
what of my assignment and new responsibility but, much more important, the
why."
No wonder he did not take his duty and assignment lightly. He had been instructed in what his duty really was. What power and authority he really had received. He as given the WHY.
When you have the
WHY you will want to do your best, and not some half masted job. My grandfather always did his home teaching on the first Sunday of the month. He had the vision, and it helped he was living in a small town of a couple hundred. But, irregardless of circumstances he was blessed just as much as the brother living in a metropolitan city of millions doing his duty to the fullest. Same blessings and responsibilities, different circumstances.
This is well summed up by George Albert Smith.
“I have not wanted this position. I have not felt equal to it. But it
has come to me, and I will fill it to the best of my ability. I want you
all to know that, whatever you are doing in the church, from [home]
teaching to presiding over a stake, if you do it to the best of your
ability, your position is just as important as mine.”
The Life and Ministry of George Albert Smith
But, we are not alone in figuring out what our duty is and how to be vested with true Priesthood power. The scriptures are full of examples and information.
Section 107 of the doctrine and Covenants is full of information on our duties and responsibilities.
Conference talks are also a great place to learn more of our duties and become more endowed with the power god has given us.
As we become more aware of our duties and have that increased desire to help our fellow man we will begin to full espouse the true power of the Priesthood. For in true reality the Priesthood is given to help others. For we do not place our own hands upon our head and pronounce a blessing. We must ask for another to do that.
The Lord has a vision for each and everyone of us. He wants us to succeed, though he know it will not be easy. And thus he provided his authority so that we on earth may be blessed. And what a blessing it is to have the Priesthood. Hard as it may seem to understand it fully.
The following are several good ways to live our lives. They come from George Albert Smith and if society would lives by these 11 statements it sure would be a better place.
"When
he was 34 years old, George Albert Smith made a list of resolutions
that he called his “personal creed”—11 ideals that he committed to live
by:
“I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.
“I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.
“I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.
“I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.
“I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.
“I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.
“I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.
“I
would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may
have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.
“I
would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in
the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father.
“I would not be an enemy to any living soul.
“Knowing
that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan
that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I
feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate
this truth"
Chapter 1: Living What We Believe
Are you curious to find out more the Priesthood? Do you have questions on who can be ordained? Then you might just need to talk with the missionaries. They'll come and visit you no strings attached.
Request a visit from the missionaries here
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