The Power of the Priesthood by Boyd K Packer

These are some of my thoughts as I read The Power of the Priesthood, a talk given by Boyd K Packer, Presiding Apostle of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Here is the link to his talk.

President Packer says:

"We now number nearly 14 million members. Even so, we are a tiny fraction when compared to the billions of people on earth. But we are who we are, and we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel."

We truly are a minority when compared with the billions of people on the Earth, but I think this should only motivate us to step up to our responsibility as Priesthood holders to share the gospel with those around us. Even though we may never have "numbers" on our side, we have the Priesthood, the power of God, which more than compensates. On the same note, I like this quote as well:

"President Joseph Fielding Smith said, 'While it may be said . . . that we are but a handful in comparison with . . . the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, which will eventually leaven [or lift] the whole world.'"

Here is how President Packer defines the priesthood:

"Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present...

Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness."

It is a father's duty to preside in the home in righteousness. He should give priesthood blessings to his family and be involved in their spiritual growth and progression. Here are two stories that President Packer shared in his talk that touched me and taught of the importance of a father fulfilling his priesthood duties to his family- Story 1:

"During the Vietnam War, we held a series of special meetings for members of the Church called into military service. After such a meeting in Chicago, I was standing next to President Harold B. Lee when a fine young Latter-day Saint told President Lee that he was on leave to visit his home and then had orders to Vietnam. He asked President Lee to give him a blessing.

Much to my surprise, President Lee said, 'Your father should give you the blessing.'

Very disappointed, the boy said, 'My father wouldn’t know how to give a blessing.'

President Lee answered, 'Go home, my boy, and tell your father that you are going away to war and want to receive a father’s blessing from him. If he does not know how, tell him that you will sit on a chair. He can stand behind you and put his hands on your head and say whatever comes.'

This young soldier went away sorrowing.

About two years later I met him again. I do not recall where. He reminded me of that experience and said, 'I did as I was told to do. I explained to my father that I would sit on the chair and that he should put his hands on my head. The power of the priesthood filled both of us. That was a strength and protection in those perilous months of battle.'"

Story 2:

"Another time I was in a distant city. After a conference we were ordaining and setting apart leaders. As we concluded, the stake president asked, “Can we ordain a young man to be an elder who is leaving for the mission field?” The answer, of course, was yes.

As the young man came forward, he motioned for three brethren to follow and stand in for his ordination.

I noticed on the back row a carbon copy of this boy, and I asked, “Is that your father?”

The young man said, “Yes.”

I said, “Your father will ordain you.”

And he protested, “But I’ve already asked another brother to ordain me.”

And I said, “Young man, your father will ordain you, and you’ll live to thank the Lord for this day.”

Then the father came forward.

Thank goodness he was an elder. Had he not been, he soon could have been! In the military they would call that a battlefield commission. Sometimes such things are done in the Church.

The father did not know how to ordain his son. I put my arm around him and coached him through the ordinance. When he was finished, the young man was an elder.

Then something wonderful happened. Completely changed, the father and son embraced. It was obvious that had never happened before.

The father, through his tears, said, “I didn’t get to ordain my other boys.”

Think how much more was accomplished than if another had ordained him, even an Apostle."

Fathers need to step up to their privilege and responsibility. Mothers need to help by encouraging their husbands. I like President Packer's call to action:

"We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness. Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord’s expectations.

We must go forward, confident of the supernal power of the priesthood. It is a source of strength and encouragement to know who we are and what we have and what we must do in the work of the Almighty."

The priesthood power is very real. I've had so many experiences in my life where I have witnessed first hand the power of the priesthood both on the administering and receiving ends of ordinances and blessings. If we do not use the priesthood with which we've been blessed, think of how many people- our families, neighbors, friends- have not been blessed, when they might have been, because of our living below our privileges.

Fathers have a sacred duty to protect their homes and their families, especially against the attacks of Satan, the enemy of all righteousness. In conclusion, this is President Packer's counsel to fathers in this regard:

"You have the power of the priesthood directly from the Lord to protect your home. There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary’s mischief will be that power. You will receive direction from the Lord by way of the gift of the Holy Ghost."