Title:
McConkie, Bruce R. “The Doctrine of the Priesthood.” General Conference, April 1982.
Summary:
The doctrine of the priesthood cannot best be taught by man, but instead only by the power of revelation through the Holy Ghost. We become like God as we exercise His divine authority. As we receive this divine authority here upon the earth, we enter into a covenant to obey this authority and likewise are promised extraordinary blessings. God has sworn in His own name that these blessings will come upon us as we are faithful to the covenants we make upon its reception.
Quote:
“Our time here in mortality is set apart as a time of probation and of testing. It is our privilege while here to perfect our faith and to grow in priesthood power.”
“Both of these priesthoods are given by covenant. Both of them surpass any earthly power; both of them prepare men for salvation.”
I chose these two quotes because the first is focused on how we are to use our priesthood. It poses the concept that we are here to be tested. The second quote focuses more upon the covenant we have made, or the reason for the test, to prove our faithfulness.
Title:
Eyring, Henry B. “Faith and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.” General Conference, April 2008.
Summary:
Whether we receive the priesthood and fail or do not accept it at all, we are in the same place. We should at least work to receive it so that we have the possibility of continuing faithful and receiving eternal life. God additionally promises us the help necessary to succeed. We have evidence of His confidence in us because we have been offered the priesthood. Additionally, the Lord will be with us as we seek to honor our priesthood covenants. There is the wonderful promise that as we serve in the priesthood, that our bodies will be renewed and sanctified, as well as we will be prepared for living in eternal families.
Quote:
“Whether you accept the oath and covenant and find it too difficult or if you fail to try, the penalty is the same. There is no question, therefore, that your best course and mine is to receive the holy priesthood and try with all of our hearts to keep its covenants. If we choose not to try, we would certainly lose the opportunity for eternal life. If we try and with God’s help succeed, we will gain eternal life.”
I chose this quote because I love the principal behind it – we must lay it all on the line, and hope it is enough. If we don’t even try in the first place, there is an extreme opportunity that has just been wasted. We must therefore put forth our best efforts, and God has promised to match our efforts if we do so.
Insight:
I feel that the most important insight that I gained from reading these two articles is that the priesthood is all focused upon covenants. We are under covenant upon its reception, and likewise God is under covenant to bless us according to our faithfulness. The strange caveat is that he will bless us so that we may fulfill our covenant to its fullest and receive the blessings that come with it. Blessings for more blessings, an infinite loop.
Response:
The main themes that I gained from these two articles are that the priesthood is so incredibly important. We must try our best to magnify it, but if we do fall short, the Lord has promised to help us in our cause. Additionally, we have the priesthood around us so that we may serve and bless the lives of others. The only way that the world will see the power of God so abundantly is through faithful priesthood holders keeping the covenants that they have made.
I love the quote you chose in the second article, about how to accept and do nothing is the same as to not accept. While I was serving my full-time mission this was one thought that always went through my mind. As I taught the people, I would think "You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!" It was so frustrating when they wouldn't accept the truth.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure God feels much the same way. He is there with outstretched arms, offering us a chance to help bring his children to him. A chance to help his marvelous work, which once accomplished will bring us and them lasting joy. Too often we say in response "Oh, I'm quite comfortable, maybe later."
I like that idea that we can see how much God loves us by just the existence of the priesthood. He trusts us enough to give us power to act in His name.
ReplyDeleteThe priesthood blesses everyone and I think it's important for us to remember that it is a gift--we're not just entitled to have it.
That is interesting that we don't lose anything more by taking those covenants upon ourselves and not keeping them than we do if we refuse to take them in the first place. We need to take those covenants and give it everything we've got. Thankfully, we don't just have to hope it's enough, because we know that "with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26). He doesn't ask us to do everything flawlessly, but to do it with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, to give Him our whole souls as an offering. In return, the Lord will help us continue to grow and improve, which we'll be continuing to do after this life for a while, I'm guessing. The real struggle of this life is to give Him everything, without holding back, and our covenants compel us more strongly to do so.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the quote you shared from the second article. I believe it lays the foundation of a very important principle that applies to all areas of our lives. Some people try to avoid failure by not trying at all. For example, one might say that they are not going to try out for the basketball team so that they won't fail making the basketball team. The results, however, are the same. Either way, you don't make the basketball team. The same applies to the Priesthood. If you avoid it altogether, you are guaranteeing yourself no exaltation. On the other hand if you accept and try, you now have the potential to receive exaltation.
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