I came across this quote today.
?¢‚Ǩ?ìThe man that honors his priesthood, the woman that honors her priesthood, will receive an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of God.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 17, p. 119)
I was wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on this.
Popularity: 4% [?]
During our elders quorum lesson on Sunday, we were discussing women in the church, and specifically the different roles men and women hold in the church. Eventually, we established that men hold the priesthood; someone indicated the role of women different from that was motherhood.
Everyone seemed to be content with that comparison until someone mentioned men in the church also have the role of fatherhood.
It would seem that fatherhood would be more directly related to motherhood than priesthood is. If that is so, then what female role would be parallel to the male role of priesthood bearer?
Popularity: 2% [?]
My Sister just sent this to me… Most funny! (Apologies if this has already been mentioned)
———————————————
?Ǭ†After President Hinckley finished with the sustaining of the officers
?Ǭ†of the church during the Saturday morning session, Elder Eyring had
?Ǭ†moved into his new seat on the stand. Unfortunately, they didn’t show
?Ǭ†this on TV, but when President Hinckley turned around, he stood there
?Ǭ†for a moment looking at Elder Eyring (probably with the little twinkle
?Ǭ†in his eye), then picked up his cane and “knighted” him on his
?Ǭ†shoulder and head. Truly one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen
?Ǭ†him do.
?Ǭ†Here’s the picture from it. I love how Elder Erying looks just like a
?Ǭ†little boy….
?Ǭ†
http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/midres/4668085.jpg?Ǭ†
Popularity: 2% [?]
“O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who?Ǭ†drink of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.”
We were treated to this twice yesterday before our bishopric’s first counselor got up and pointed out the error to the frustrated, young priest.
?Ǭ†Then, we heard the following:
“O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat it in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.”
At which point the first counselor nodded his approval, not wanting to drag out the scene any more. (The bishop and?Ǭ†second counselor were away, so “Number One” was flying solo.)
After the sacrament was done and the Aaronic priesthood were dismissed, “Number One” felt inspired to give us a short, five minute talk about how valiant, and worthy, and diligent the young men were in performing their sacramental duty.?Ǭ† I think this was meant to somehow help the young priest save face, although it was just out of place and awkward to listen to.
But why go through all the effort of correcting him the first time, and why give the little speech at the end if you are?Ǭ†ultimately going to let the prayer be said incorrectly??Ǭ† What harm would there be to having him do it a fourth time, to hopefully get it right??Ǭ† Why was he more concerned about hurting the young fella’s feelings than getting the ordinance done correctly?
Which makes me wonder… does it really matter if the prayer was said correctly??Ǭ† If three wrong attempts are good enough, then surly two would have done the trick.?Ǭ† Did all 200 of us yesterday actually renew our covenants or did we just have a snack?
Popularity: 2% [?]
I hear those words, almost on a weekly basis.
On a weekly basis, I get a few more drops of courage to actually raise my hand.
?Ǭ†Why is it that we don’t oppose when it’s how we feel sometimes??Ǭ† I must admit, I have never done it in a public meeting.?Ǭ† The closest I ever got was a few weeks ago when I had a PPI / HT interview with the EQP.?Ǭ† I told them point blank that I opposed a number of things they were doing in the quorum.?Ǭ† I didn’t try to be a jerk about it, but I let them know how I felt and why.?Ǭ† And, then to make it clear, I told them if they continued, I could not sustain them.?Ǭ† I / They left it there.?Ǭ† Nothing has changed.?Ǭ† They now know where I stand.
So, I’m thinking about our ward and stake conference that are comming up, where I’ll have another chance to oppose in public.?Ǭ† Honestly, I don’t know that I have the guts to do it.?Ǭ† I think I’d be more inclined to not raise my hand to sustain and afterwards, go to whoever and voice my opposition.?Ǭ† I admit that is the easier way out.
Popularity: 2% [?]
It seems we have certain trends that work their way through LDS culture. In the past it was things like ‘Singing Practise Time’ between Sacrament meeting and Sunday School.
Today, we have the recitation of the “Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood”. I first noticed this about 5?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú6 years ago. After priesthood opening exercises, we would all stand and some poor deacon would go up to the front and recite the purposes one at a time while the rest of the priesthood congregation would follow.
I will strive to fulfil the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood by:
- Becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings,
- Serve faithfully in priesthood callings and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices,
- Give meaningful service,
- Prepare and live worthy to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances,
- Prepare to serve an honourable full time mission,
- Obtain as much education as possible,
- Prepare to become a worthy husband and father,
- Give proper respect to women, girls, and children
I’ve seen this in every ward I’ve attended since. I can recite these by memory now. I’m sure this is some feeble attempt to help raise the bar. Who knows, perhaps it is having some positive effect.
But after the recitation, some young priesthood holder will get up and report on the last young mens activity.
I guess what I can’t figure out is how a LAN party or playing paint-ball fits into any of those purposes.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Just a random thought I had…
In Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood, B, it states the following with respect to performing priesthood ordinances and blessings:
All ordinances must be performed by the authority of the priesthood. Only brethren who hold the necessary priesthood and are worthy should perform or stand in the circle for an ordinance.
As an example, to bless a child, one should:
- Addresses Heavenly Father.
- States that the blessing is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
- Gives the child a name.
- Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
- Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.
So I wonder why priesthood holders (almost universally) substitute the word power for authority?
Reading dictionary definitions for power, I can see where the confusion might come from. Some definitions given are:
- ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something
- great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force
- delegated authority; authority granted to a person or persons in a particular office or capacity: the powers of the president
- a person or thing that possesses or exercises authority or influence
However, I don’t think those fit with a gospel definition of power. In a gospel context, I think we use the word power with its physics definition:
The amount of work per unit of time
I don’t see priesthood power as being the ability to act in behalf of God. I think that is why they specifically mention that blessings, etc.. are to be done by stating the authority. Priesthood power comes from the work accomplished in a given amount of time.
If we continue to break down the definition of power using physics definitions, we will see that work is defined as
Force producing movement in the direction force is applied
I really like this definition. In order for there to be “work” you need movement in the direction that force is applied. I often think of this definition in opening exercises in priesthood meeting. The following happens often:
Ward Mission Leader: “Does anyone have a missionary moment that they’d like to share?”
Peter Priesthood raises his hand. WML motions for PP to share his ‘moment’
PP: “Last week I was talking to a less active friend of mine…..”
Good old Peter Priesthood feels good that he did some ‘missionary work’, but by definition, he didn’t. Missionary work is defined as “Bringing souls to Christ through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation.” To do missionary work, you would need to have movement in the direction force was applied. But since Peter’s less active friend was already baptized, this falls under Perfect the Saints. So what we end up having is a ward thinking that they are doing Missionary Work when in fact they are ignoring it and mistaking what they do for perfect the saints (is it any wonder our church wide missionary program is struggling?).
Anyway, back on topic…
There is no ‘Priesthood Power’ unless we are actually doing something and getting a result. Performing an ordinance or blessing really doesn’t involve any power at all on behalf of the person giving the blessing or performing the ordinance. When I have given healing blessings, and the one being blessed is healed, I didn’t actually do anything. There was no part of me that healed this person. That was God’s power at work. All I did was say a few words for Him because He wasn’t there to say them himself. I acted in his name, by his authority.
Power from me would perhaps be in the form of providing service (shovelling snow, etc…) or getting something accomplished. Such acts really don’t require the priesthood to perform. True priesthood power comes from God, not man. I may be wrong on that, but it seems to fit the definition and context.
For those who think you have the power in and of yourself, I think you share a little something in common with the fella’ mentioned in D&C 29: 36 and Moses 4:1. Not really the best company to be in methinks.
So, next time you’re getting ready to give that blessing, remember that you really aren’t doing anything except saying a few words for someone who isn’t there to do it themselves. Your just an understudy, a proxy, a stand-in for the guy with the real power. You might want to show respect and honour to Him who’s power it really is by properly stating the authority you are acting under.
Popularity: 2% [?]
If you were (or are) missing a limb, would you ever ask for a priesthood blessing for your limb to be made whole? If you are a priesthood holder and someone asked you to restore their limb through a blessing, how would your respond?
Popularity: 3% [?]
I’ve heard it said that womanhood and priesthood are parallels. Do you believe this? If so, is there a parallel to womanhood and manhood? Are priesthood and manhood the same thing?
Popularity: 6% [?]
If you were an elders quorum president—or a high priest group leader for that matter—what would you do to increase the amount of home teaching in your quorum or group? Why do you think those measures would increase home teaching?
Popularity: 7% [?]
