Sunday Lesson Recap: The Priesthood

This week's lesson is from the Gospel Principles manual, chapter 13 "The Priesthood" Some highlights:

- The priesthood is the power of God given to man to act in God's name.

- Priesthood bearers would do what God would do if He were present.

- Priesthood power enables us to perform sacred ordinances and make covenants with God.

- Even though we as Relief Society sisters do not hold the priesthood, we can receive the blessings of the priesthood and must exercise faith in the priesthood to receive those blessings.

- Part of preparing to receive the blessings of the priesthood is to be ready.

From President Henry B. Eyring:

"Wherever I am in the day or night, there is nearby a small container of olive oil. This is the one which I keep in the middle drawer of the desk where I work. There is one in my pocket when I am working outdoors or traveling. There is also one in the kitchen cabinet in my home.

The one I hold now has a date on it. It is the day when someone exercised the power of the priesthood to consecrate the pure oil for the healing of the sick. The young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and even their fathers might think that I am a little extreme in my preparation.

But the call during the day or the knock at the door at night always comes as a surprise." (from October 2009 General Conference "Be Ready"

- As sisters, we can also encourage worthy priesthood holders around us to remain worthy and set an example for them.

- President David O. McKay promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he “will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness—a well of living water springing up unto eternal life”

- Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46: Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.