Monday, March 23, 2009

The Priesthood

I had many various plans for blogging this week; one of them was even mentioned last week.  However things change, and I feel this is a much more pertinent topic to write on, that is the priesthood. 
"The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God.  Through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth.  Through this power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass 'the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39).  God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children.   Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth."  (lds.org)
What brought this all on was my grandma having knee surgery.  She is 89 years old, and when she stood up it sounded like someone getting up off a leather couch.  It has been needed for sure.  Well some family and friends gathered last night for a "last meal" per say.  After dinner we stuck my grandma on a chair in the middle of the room and all gathered around so my father and her nephew in law could give her a blessing.  First, Terry anointed her with the oil, but only after she gave him a stern warning not to mess up her hair.  Next, my dad was to give her the blessing.  Well Nate, my boyfriend also happened to be, there so my dad just asked him to join, if it was okay with my grandma.  He just jumped up and joined right in.  I thought that was so incredibly neat that these three men could be worthy to give my grandma a blessing directly from God, a blessing of comfort and of healing.  
I love that my dad is the outstanding example that he is, that he has raised me in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that he has always been worthy to bless me and my family in times of need.  I love that Terry is the spiritual giant that he is.  He is just one of those people you learn something new from every time you talk to him, whether you started out on a Gospel related topic or not.  Lastly, I love that Nate, like so many of my other friends, is a worthy priesthood holder, that he can just give or help with a blessing at the drop of a hat.
I love this quote I found at lds.org.  "Priesthood holders must remember that the priesthood should be a part of them at all times and in all circumstances.  It is not like a cloak that can be put on and taken off at will.  Any ordination to a priesthood office is a call to lifelong service, with the promise that the Lord will qualify priesthood holders to do His work according to their faithfulness.  
"Priesthood holders must be worthy in order to receive and exercise priesthood power.  The words they speak and their everyday behavior affect their ability to serve.  Their behavior in public must be above reproach.  Their behavior in private is even more important.  Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord declared that 'the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness' (D&C 121:36)."
"The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven."  How much better could that get.  I am constantly surrounded by worthy priesthood holders, who through righteous living, have chosen to intwine their lives with the powers of heaven.  You can't get much better than that.  What could be more inspiring than the powers of heaven.  


P.S. My grandma made it through the surgery and we think she will do just fine in rehabbing he brand spanking new knee.  

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