What is the priesthood? It is the authority of God given to man to act in his name. Why is it important? God’s kingdom is one of order, with this priesthood authority we are able to maintain order by doing all we do with Heavenly Father’s authorization. At times I feel inadequate to exercise such a great authority, but know that God has entrusted me with this sacred duty to bear his holy priesthood. For this reason, I must always honor it, and not treat it lightly. Possessing the priesthood doesn’t make one greater than another, rather it is a charge for that person to go and do the work of the Lord, serving with all of their heart, might, mind, and strength.
1. “We carry in one hand a vial of consecrated oil for blessing the sick; in the other we carry a loaf of bread to feed the hungry; and in our hearts we carry the peaceable word of God, “which healeth the wounded soul.”… “This is our first and foremost responsibility as priesthood holders…”—President Uchtdorf (General Conference, April 2013, Priesthood)
2. “Imagine how the world itself could be transformed for good if every man who bears the priesthood of God were to gird up his loins and live up to his true potential, converted in the depth of his soul, a true and faithful priesthood man, committed to building the kingdom of God.”— President Uchtdorf (General Conference, April 2009, Priesthood)
3. “The power of the priesthood is a sacred and essential gift of God. It is different from priesthood authority, which is the authorization to act in God’s name. The authorization or ordination is given by the laying on of hands. The power of the priesthood comes only when those who exercise it are worthy and acting in accordance with God’s will.”—Elder Ballard (General Conference, April 2013)
4. “We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear the priesthood worthily. And they can serve the Lord diligently… We can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ.”— Thomas S. Monson Ensign, November 2012
5. “Yes, there is always something imperfect in any situation. Yes, it is easy to find things to complain about. But brethren, we are bearers of the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God! .. I feel a certain sadness for those who do not grasp and appreciate the wonder and privilege of the priesthood. They are like passengers on an airplane who spend their time grumbling about the size of the packet of peanuts while they are soaring through the air, far above the clouds.”—President Uchtdorf Ensign, November 2012
6. “The kingdom of God is governed by the authority of the priesthood. It is not conferred for honor, but for a ministry of service. Priesthood titles are not created by man; neither are they for adornment, nor do they express mastership. They denote appointment to service in the work of the Lord.”—Russell M. Neilson, Honoring the Priesthood, Conference April 1993
7. “Whenever men can find out the will of God and find an administrator legally authorized from God, there is the kingdom of God; but where these are not, the kingdom of God is not. All the ordinances, systems, and administrations on the earth are of no use to the children of men, unless they are ordained and authorized of God; for nothing will save a man but a legal administrator; for none others will be acknowledged either by God or angels.”
8. “It will be a marvelous day, my brethren—it will be a day of fulfillment of the purposes of the Lord—when our priesthood quorums become an anchor of strength to every man belonging thereto, when each such man may appropriately be able to say, ‘I am a member of a priesthood quorum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I stand ready to assist my brethren in all of their needs, as I am confident they stand ready to assist me in mine. … Working together, we can stand, without embarrassment and without fear, against every wind of adversity that might blow, be it economic, social, or spiritual.”— Gordon B. Hinckley, Welfare Responsibilities of the Priesthood Quorums, Conference October 1977
9. “Every person is different and has a different contribution to make. No one is destined to fail. As you seek revelation to see gifts God sees in those you lead in the priesthood—particularly the young—you will be blessed to lift their sights to the service they can perform.”—Henry B. Eyring, Help Them Aim High, Conference October 2012
10. “Your priesthood quorums provide opportunities for friendship, service, and learning. But the responsibility to develop power in the priesthood is personal. Only as an individual can you develop a firm faith in God and a passion for personal prayer.”—Elder Neilson, Personal Priesthood Responsibility, Conference October 2003
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