One of the members in
the branch who was baptized last year will soon be receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood. The branch president asked me to meet with him and teach him about
this special gift. In preparing several lessons for him, my appreciation for
the priesthood has grown. Here are several quotes from the articles I read:
The Prophet Joseph Smith said that the “Melchizedek
Priesthood … is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of
salvation and every important matter is revealed from heaven.”
When a man receives the
Melchizedek Priesthood, he enters into the oath
and covenant of the priesthood. He covenants to be faithful, magnify his calling, “give diligent heed to the words of
eternal life,” and “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of
God.” Those who keep this covenant will be sanctified by the Spirit and receive “all that [the] Father hath.”
(See D&C 84:33-44.)
In a priesthood blessing
a servant of the Lord exercises the
priesthood, as moved upon by the Holy Ghost, to call upon the powers of heaven for the
benefit of the person being blessed.
It is a very sacred responsibility for a Melchizedek
Priesthood holder to speak for the Lord in giving a priesthood blessing. As
the Lord has told us in modern revelation, “My word … shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice
of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).
Be prepared to give priesthood blessings under the influence of
the Holy Ghost whenever you are requested in sincerity and faith.
The doctrine of the priesthood is known only by personal revelation. It comes, line upon line and precept upon
precept, by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who love and serve God with all
their heart, might, mind, and strength. (See D&C 98:12.)
Priesthood is power like none other on earth or in heaven. It is
the very power of God himself, the power by which the worlds were made, the
power by which all things are regulated, upheld, and preserved.
It is the power of faith, the faith by which the Father creates
and governs. God is God because he is the embodiment of all faith and all power
and all priesthood. The life he lives is
named eternal life.
And the extent to which we become like him is the extent to which we gain
his faith, acquire his power, and exercise his priesthood. And when we have
become like him in the full and true sense, then we also shall have eternal
life.
Truly, there is power in the priesthood—power to
do all things!
If the world itself was created by the power of the priesthood,
surely that same power can move mountains and control the elements.
