The
bestowal of the priesthood of the Great High Priest who is Christ the King to
men of this earth would have to be the greatest gift He could possibly give us
for our earthly sojourn, for “without this no man can see the face of God, even
the Father, and live” (D&C 84:22) It is a huge step that brings us closer
to His Godhood and ultimately, ours.
My
understanding of the priesthood is pretty basic. I haven’t been schooled in it
like the men in the Church have so my offering here will be more of a personal
one as opposed to a doctrinal one.
I wrote a
couple of days ago about my gratitude for the Aaronic priesthood being the gate
to salvation through baptism. This priesthood is the beginning of our path to God
and our experience with ‘the power of godliness’ (D&C 84:20)
I have been
very fascinated with the promise of this power that is given us through the
priesthood ordinances, and this is why. In his vision of us, Nephi indicated
that in the last days ‘the power of the Lamb descended upon the saints of the
church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord….and they were
armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory’ (1 Nephi
14:14).
This has
been one of my favourite scriptures for a long time. It gives me hope that I,
as one of the covenant people, can overcome the influence of Satan in my life
and conquer the enemy of all righteousness (Moroni 9:6)
Here are
some benefits I have notice in my life that fulfil the promise of ‘the power of
godliness’ through the priesthood ordinances:
1. The
Sacrament: my focus on the Saviour in remembrance of Him has invited His spirit
into my life daily. It wasn’t always so but it’s been cumulative over the
years.
2. The
Temple: I have noticed that the stricter my obedience to the covenants I have
made in the Temple, the greater my desire for righteousness and the more
refined my spiritual nature gets.
3. Priesthood
Blessings: This is my favourite priesthood ordinance. It has been many a time
that I have wept through a priesthood blessing because I could hear God’s voice
just for me. He has told me things that would apply to only me, personal things
that only He knows about. It has many times affirmed to me the fact that God
knows me, loves me, and is heavily invested in my spiritual progression and my
struggles in this life.
This,
however, is my greatest appreciation for the Melchizedek Priesthood. This Holy
Priesthood is “the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the
knowledge of God” (v19). It has been my greatest desire for many years to come
to ‘know’ God…..as much as a person can get to know Him in this life. I thirst
for this……
My second
desire has been to know the ‘mysteries of the kingdom’. Mysteries are, of
course, the aspects of Christ’s kingdom we do not yet understand…..and they are
available to all worthy saints (D&C 76:5-10). I thirst for this also…….
Such
wonders and blessings overwhelm me. And I owe it to Joseph, the prophet of this
dispensation who under the hands of Peter, James and John received the restored
Holy Priesthood ‘after the order of the Son of God’ to bless my existence now
and forever……
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Restoration by Liz Lemon Swindle)
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