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All of the claims of Restoration rest upon the claim of divine authority also known as the Priesthood. Understanding the doctrine of the Priesthood is so important to understanding the restoration, and therefore it is under siege by Satan.
Satan knows that it is only through the ordinances of the Priesthood that the powers of Godliness is revealed. (D&C 84:19-22) So if Satan can get us to misunderstand the Priesthood, he will block our access to the powers of God. Here are 4 ways Latter-day Saints get the Priesthood completely wrong.
“The same priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our friends, and our neighbors.”
M. Russell Ballard
They Only Ask For A Priesthood Blessings When All Else Fails.
When I was ordained an Elder, I remember being taught this truth by Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “We are his agents; we represent him; we are expected to do and say what he would do and say if he personally were ministering among men at this time.” It struck me, I need to prepare and be worthy at any minute to act and stand in the place of the Savior. Every Priesthood holder should approach the Priesthood this way to honor the Priesthood. President Boyd K. Packer taught: “When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.”
Members also need to view the Priesthood this way; calling upon the Priesthood should be seen as calling upon Christ. Imagine you are among the crowds in the land Bountiful when Christ declared: “Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.” 3rd Nephi 17:7 (7-9) Who being there, would say, “I am not that sick, I’ll just stick back.” “I’ve got the best Nephite doctors working on this, I’ll be ok.” or “I don’t want to inconvenience Him.” Even the thought is ridiculous!
Then let us follow the counsel of President Dallin H. Oaks: “Do not be hesitant to ask for a priesthood blessing when you are in need of spiritual power.” Or the council that is given in the new testament “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church” James 5:14 (14-15) Surely we should do all in our power to get better, but we should also evoke the powers of God to heal us!
“Priesthood power has been restored to this earth, and yet far too many brothers and sisters go through terrible trials in life without ever receiving a true priesthood blessing. What a tragedy! That’s a tragedy that we can eliminate.”
Russell M. Nelson
They Think Miracles Are Only Performed By The Priesthood.
One of the most vicious lies Satan teaches about the Priesthood is that miracles are performed only by the Priesthood. This lie is so dangerous because miracles are performed by faith. Even Jesus Christ told those He healed “Thy faith had made thee whole.” Mark 5:34 (25-34). And whereas Latter-day Saints have the corner on Priesthood authority, we do NOT have the corner of faith. There are many righteous people of all denominations who have the faith necessary to produce miracles.
The reason this is so vital to understand is that I know so many members who have faith crisis when they hear of faith healings in other churches. They then question the priesthood. But even in the times of Christ, there were those performing miracles in His name by faith who were not part of His Church. As faith is the power of healing.
So if faith is the agent of healing, then why does one need to call upon the Priesthood? Because the Priesthood compliments the faith of the sick. When someone calls upon Priesthood holders to come to bless them they are in effect saying “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” And as their faith is joined together and united seek a blessing by the virtue of the Priesthood power and authority the promise is that the powers of Godliness will be manifest.
“The words spoken in a healing blessing can edify and energize the faith of those who hear them, but the effect of the blessing is dependent upon faith and the Lord’s will, not upon the words spoken by the elder who officiated.”
Dallin H. Oaks
We Refer To The Holders Of The Priesthood As The Priesthood.
Within the Priesthood there are a few key terms that must be understood. And first and foremost is that the men in the church are not the priesthood, but merely holders of it. When a man is ordained to the Priesthood, the Priesthood is conferred upon him, and then he is ordained into an office and he is given the authority that office holds. This makes him a holder of Priesthood authority, but merely holding the Priesthood is not enough, he must live worthy or he lacks the power of the Priesthood that his ordination opens to him.
Also, when a Priesthood ordinance is performed it is by the virtue of the Priesthood; not by the virtue of the man. Therefore if an unworthy Priest blesses the Sacrament he may drink damnation to his soul, but the Sacrament was done by the virtue of the Priesthood and therefore is still valid. Also, a cool thing to note, a sealer once taught me that ordinances are valid even if words are missed, we repeat the ordinance not to bring validity to but show respect.
“We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not ‘the priesthood.'”
Dallin H. Oaks
We Don’t Talk About The Patriarchal Order Of The Priesthood
Within the Melchizedek Priesthood, the highest order is called the Patriarchal Order. Unlike offices that men are ordained to, this Patriarchal Order of the Priesthood is not entered into via conferral and ordination. The Patriarchal Order of the Priesthood is entered into during the Sealing ordinance in the temple. It is entered into jointly as Husband and Wife. Its main purpose is to empower the couple to receive exaltation and godhood. Without entering into this order one can not enter into the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom.
This is why Temple sealings are stressed so much, but it is also important to understand if you do not have the opportunity to be sealed, and you remain faithful to your covenants, then you will not be denied the blessings of an eternal marriage in the Millennium.
*Important to note, whereas women are not ordained to the Priesthood offices, in the temple, they administer Priesthood ordinances. Namely, the Initiatory and Endowment and they enter into the patriarchal order of the priesthood when they are Sealed.
“Eve served in matriarchal partnership with the patriarchal priesthood.”
Russell M. Nelson
For more info about the Patriarchal Order here are some starting points:
Marriage in the Lord’s Way, Part One By Elder Cree-L Kofford Of the Seventy
How Patriarchal Order Affects the Sealing Power – Mormon Channel
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Maritiano Ratumeli
Thursday 6th of October 2022
Thankiu for sharering this inspired truth. Really motivated.
Clinton Douglas
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
For me this is only partly true as far as the blessing of the sick is concerned. Our very Own Prophet would not have been in the medical field, even a World Class Heart Dr had this take had any truth to it. I think there is a miss understanding here about the Power of Faith and the Priesthood? In Ether we are taught something very clear yet, we miss it, even I messed it at first but came to understand and I gained life experiences. Remember how the brother of Jared was concerned about traveling the waters, in the boats, in the dark? Now take note, God could've said Oh by the priesthood you will have peace, or I will cause a deep sleep to come upon you all and wake you once the journey is done, or even get some bitum and put on some torches and I will cause them to burn yet not catch anything on fire, or use olive oil in a cruse and I will cause it to never go out, like with Ezra? No, God said something interesting, he asked the brother of Jared, what would you have me do? Interesting I always thought, then even more interesting the brother of Jared made crystal balls and brought them before God and asked him in faith to touch them and make them glow! Don't you see, the brother of Jared had to THINK, to do what he could do, then come to God for assistance, Ether 3. Even Brigham sent his own Daughter and Son to become Dr's to the Saints because he did not trust the gentiles to treat the saints. He knew what happened to Joseph by the hands of Surgeons and due to the attitude of the known world against Mormons, he was wise in not trusting them. He even encouraged the Relief Society Sisters to learn to be mid wives and healers. Brigham understood the principle or do what YOU can to the best of your ability and then call upon God or the Priesthood. Brigham stated at one time “If we are sick and ask the Lord to heal us, and to do all for us that is necessary to be done, according to my understanding of the Gospel and salvation, I might as well ask the Lord to cause my wheat and corn to grow without my plowing the ground and casting in the seed. It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge, and to ask my Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, to sanctify that application to the healing of my body … it is my duty to do, when I have it in my power. Many people are unwilling to do one thing for themselves in the case of sickness, but ask God to do it all.” For me, I will do ALL that I can, after so doing, I will call upon the Priesthood to bless me according to my need.
Emily Goff
Friday 25th of March 2022
I think I am confused, how do you feel this article doesn't agree with you? It never says not to get medical care, it just explains the power of priesthood blessings. I think the ideal is to get both and not one or the other.
Elmer C. Jorgensen
Monday 30th of September 2019
When giving a priesthood blessing, I try to not be too wordy about it. If I feel inspired to direct healing to occur, then I do so. I don't feel that I need to beat around the bush - hemming and hawing and saying maybe if the day of the week is correct or if the planets line just right on a cloudless day, then possibly, under other conditions, but without a warrantee, then. I don't recall the Savior ever giving a blessing that was a paragraph or two in length.
Dave
Sunday 9th of June 2019
Great article thank you
David Haas
Saturday 2nd of February 2019
I had a chance to use my priesthood yesterday and I did not do it. I feel guilty as I can and I will not let that happen again. The cost is to much to pay.