- a.
- b. Doctrine and Covenants 107 (supplemental scriptures).
The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; D&C 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also D&C 84:35–38).
Second, in mortality, priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel. (“Priesthood Authority” Handbook 2, Administering the Church)
These definitions give us necessary understand regarding its use and purpose:
1. It is THE power of God, given BY God. It cannot be attained by going to school.
2. It is a power, used to create and govern as God sees fit, not an achievement of humans.
3. It is used to help people progress, learn to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is.
Since it's purpose is to help people progress and it's blessings are available to all, the blessings are what we need to pay attention to. It is true that men in the LDS church are the only ones who can administer through the priesthood. There are plenty of theories as to why this is. There are many women who feel jilted because they don't GET to administer priesthood ordinances. This is a non-issue for me. Administering in the priesthood is not an equality issue - not a why do you get to and not me issue. If the purpose of the priesthood is to help us progress, help us understand the atonement through promises and ordinances, help us know that Jesus Christ and God are all-powerful, I do not have to be a holder of the priesthood to know those things.
DC 84:35-39 says:
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
"He that receiveth my servants receiveth me" tells me that whether I hold the priesthood power to administer and bless or not, as long as I receive the servants that do, both the servant and I receive the Father and his kingdom. That is the end goal. Thinking of holding the priesthood as an equality issue, is taking the eye off the ball - the end goal is receiving the Father and his kingdom.
To receive the Father and his kingdom there are five ordinances (four for women) administered by the priesthood that are necessary:
1. Baptism
2. Bestowing the Gift of the Holy Ghost
3. Actually receiving the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood (for men) is an ordinance
4. Making covenants and promises through receiving an endowment or gift (of guidance) through on ordinance actually called an "endowment" in a temple of God.
5. A man and woman being sealed together in marriage is the last and crowning ordinance administered by the Priesthood.
Both the administration and reception of these ordinances are serious matters (DC 84:40-44):
40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
As the last verse says: "you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God." If you believe in God, believe in the word that he sends is timely for his timing and ours and for our good and for our faith. Assigning him unjust, narrowminded judgement as to whether he or his prophets are racist, sexist or prejudice is just that, narrowminded because we only see the here and now. I highly doubt that when we get to heaven, we will be the ones saying "I told you so" when it comes to equality issues (not that he would say that either, because he has the perfect love).
Here's the other thing regarding the purpose of the priesthood (DC 121:34-35):
34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
If there is anyone, man or women, who seeks to hold the priesthood for any other reason than what God intends, "the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved."
When the priesthood is exercised and supported appropriately, you will see this (DC:121:41-46):
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 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.
46 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.
The Priesthood is for our progress, our education in the plan of God and for us coming to know God, his son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. All can progress and receive these things whether we administer in the priesthood or receive of its administrations.
More information about the Priesthood on the LDS Church website.
No comments:
Post a Comment