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The need for Priesthood authority in the latter days

Today I would like to talk to you about this Authority known as the "Priesthood​" and why we need it in our lives in these latter days!
Why do we need the priesthood?
How does the priesthood work in the Home/Church? 
How can we draw Power from the priesthood to help us in these latter days?


Attention Story:
Have you ever been given a task without the proper authority to succeed in it?
Have you ever seen authority misused/abused by people?


In our Government we have a "Separation of Powers" this is to mitigate for proper use of authority and minimize improper uses of that same authority!
Consider when the separation of powers is not maintained in our government.


Have you ever seen the authority of a spouse in a family subverted and minimized by the other?

I'm a software engineer.  In my job we work together in teams to produce software that performs specific functions.  Each team member has a specific role to play in order for the team to succeed in their task of creating strong well tested software and delivering it to the company and thus making money for the company.

I've seen the issue of improper authority and its use terminate the productivity and morale of a team. In this team we had a product owner and a team tech lead.  The product owner is responsible for the vision of the product and the defining and determining the requirements of what is being produced.  The tech lead is responsible for taking those requirements and in a logical fashion determining the tasks and people who should be working on those tasks to successfully create the product.  In this case however all authority was removed from the tech lead and was subverted by the product owner.  Because of this, and a lack of understanding by the individual of the technological requirements/skills necessary etc. the work was not adequately defined, tasked or given to the individuals to work on.  This has caused a loss in productivity, morale, and frustration with many different members of the team. Some members of the team actually quit and others may likely be fired because of this situation.

Authority and its proper application is required in employment, government, church, and family.
 

I am thankful for this opportunity to speak with you concerning "The Priesthood" and the need we have for it in these latter days.

I would like to cover the following - 
1.  Introduction: What is the Priesthood

2. How the Priesthood works in the "Church"
3. How the Priesthood works in the "Home"
4. Priesthood Authority is separate from Priesthood Power
5. How we can draw upon Priesthood Power to help ourselves and our families today!

1. What is the Priesthood?
The Authority - delegated by God to man to act in his stead.
Having Authority is not synonymous with having "Power" in the priesthood.
It is the means by which the "Powers of Heaven" are made manifest in our lives. 

There are Orders in the priesthood - with differing authority and rights/privileges. Two of these orders are administered via the Church:

2. How the Priesthood works in the "Church"
Who can Receive the Priesthood or in other words the authority to act in God's stead for the benefit of man? 
The church has the right/privilege to confirm upon individuals priesthood authority. This authority is confirmed upon men and delegated to women in the church.
Section 107:1,6 There are two grand heads or divisions in the priesthood - Melchizedek, and Aaronic
Melchizedek - holds the keys to all spiritual blessings to members of the church
Aaronic - holds the key to the ministering of angels and the gospel of repentance
Section 121:36-39 They may be conferred upon us - but the authority can be lost.
Section 84:19-22 The greater priesthood administers the gospel and holds the keys to the knowledge of God - ability to bring man back into presence of God
Section 107:18-20 Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all spiritual blessings - have heavens opened
In the church an individuals authority is given and taken away via the calling release process.

There is a third Order of the priesthood that officiates in the "Home".
3. How the Priesthood works in the "Home"

As a child grows up and separates from their family they form a single member family - they are responsible for themselves and have the right to preside in their own home.
When a couple is married they as a couple enter into an order of the priesthood when they enter into the covenant of marriage.
Section 131:1-4 When a couple enters into the covenant of marriage they both enter into an Order of the Priesthood - they have authority to act in God's Name in behalf of their children!
Proclamation on the family
Couples have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and their children
Sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness and teach them concerning God
Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony
Fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness - mothers are to sustain father as he presides and are equal partners
Section 132:15-18 If a man marry a wife in my covenant - they will remain married in the next life - and will continue in this order of the priesthood!
This order of the priesthood has the power to bring children to earth and fulfill God's plan by providing his children this opportunity.
An individual is never released from being a parent - it is an eternal responsibility and cannot be abdicated or given to another.
spouse is not equally called when their spouse receives a calling. i.e.. Bishop's wife - is not called with her husband - he retains that calling unto himself.

On the church website in a topic concerning priesthood it states the following:
Gospel Topics Priesthood
When a man and a woman are sealed in the temple, they enter together, by covenant, into an order of the priesthood. If they are faithful to their covenants, they receive “honor, immortality, and eternal life,” “exaltation and glory in all things,” and “a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” Some do not have the opportunity to marry in this life, and many experience broken family relationships. Because God is just, every child of God will have the opportunity, either in this life or in the next, to accept the gospel and receive all promised blessings (including eternal marriage), conditioned upon faithfulness.

The priesthood authority exercised by Latter-day Saint women in the temple and elsewhere remains largely unrecognized by people outside the Church and is sometimes misunderstood or overlooked by those within. Latter-day Saints and others often mistakenly equate priesthood with religious office and the men who hold it, which obscures the broader Latter-day Saint concept of priesthood.
Being a woman an eternal perspective Aug 2016 Ensign

For example, Apostles and prophets continue to clarify concepts we have always believed:

  • Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that “when men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which by definition is priesthood power.”

  • Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be?”

  • President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency, explained, “Every father is to his family a patriarch and every mother a matriarch as coequals in their distinctive parental roles.”

Dallin H Oaks explained this well in a talk given in October 2005.
Dallin H Oaks - Ensign October 2005 - The Family and the church
"When my father died, my mother presided over our family. She had no priesthood office, but as the surviving parent in her marriage she had become the governing officer in her family. At the same time, she was always totally respectful of the priesthood authority of our bishop and other Church leaders. She presided over her family, but they presided over the Church.

Keys. One important difference between its function in the Church and in the family is the fact that all priesthood authority in the Church functions under the direction of the one who holds the appropriate priesthood keys. In contrast, the authority that presides in the family—whether father or single-parent mother—functions in family matters without the need to get authorization from anyone holding priesthood keys. This family authority includes directing the activities of the family, family meetings like family home evenings, family prayer, teaching the gospel, and counseling and disciplining family members. It also includes ordained fathers giving priesthood blessings.

However, priesthood keys are necessary to authorize the ordaining or setting apart of family members. This is because the organization the Lord has made responsible for the performance and recording of priesthood ordinances is the Church, not the family.

A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical."

There are 3 orders of the priesthood 2 in the church and one in the family each with their own rights/privileges powers and authority. Note that this means that in a family a woman/man both hold priesthood authority over their children in the home.  They preside and have the right to act in the name of God for the benefit of their children! This is a very different perspective than what the world has concerning marriage.

4. Priesthood Authority is separate from Priesthood Power
 
As we can see both men and women have the priesthood in one form or another either confirmed upon them through ordination or given to them through the new and everlasting covenant of marriage with respect to their children.  Although an individual can have authority that does not necessarily mean that they have "Power" in that authority.
There is a well know scripture that states "Many are Called" but few are "Chosen" and why are they not chosen?

The price of priesthood power April 2016
 I fear that there are too many priesthood bearers who have done little or nothing to develop their ability to access the powers of heaven. I worry about all who are impure in their thoughts, feelings, or actions or who demean their wives or children, thereby cutting off priesthood power.

I fear that too many have sadly surrendered their agency to the adversary and are saying by their conduct, “I care more about satisfying my own desires than I do about bearing the Savior’s power to bless others.”

I fear, brethren, that some among us may one day wake up and realize what power in the priesthood really is and face the deep regret that they spent far more time seeking power over others or power at work than learning to exercise fully the power of God. President George Albert Smith taught that “we are not here to while away the hours of this life and then pass to a sphere of exaltation; but we are here to qualify ourselves day by day for the positions that our Father expects us to fill hereafter.”

Consider the following scripture in context of the "Church" as well as in the "Home" and how priesthood authority should be exercised by parents and individuals in their stewardships!
Section 121:34-43
35 Their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world and aspire to the honors of men!
36 The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected to the powers of heaven - only handled by righteousness
37 They may be conferred/granted unto us it is true - but if we
cover our sins
gratify our pride
exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon souls of men
Amen to the authority of that man
38 they will be left alone to kick against the pricks
39 It is the nature and disposition of all men that they will exercise unrighteous dominion 
40 Hence many called and few are chosen

41 No power or influence maintained only by persuasion, long- suffering, and love
42 kindness, knowledge without hypocrisy
43 reproving betimes with sharpness - showing for greater love after
This scripture teaches us how we should lead both in the church and in the Home.  It provides us a blueprint or template by which we if we follow it can have Power in the priesthood as we fulfill our stewardships in the Church as well as the Home.  Priesthood Power is only given through righteousness of the individual!

5. How we can draw upon Priesthood Power to help ourselves and our families today!
I would like to make a few suggestions on how to bring the Power of the Priesthood into your life today.

#1. If there is something in your life that is a sin and should be repented of - do so now!
We are taught in the Lectures on Faith that an individual must know that their life is in accordance with God's will before they can exercise great faith in him!
We have learned that it is only through the principle of righteousness that the "Powers of Heaven" can be brought to bear - become righteous so they can be!
Let your eye be single to the glory of God - Section 88:67-69
Section 121:44-46 - Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly - Holy Ghost constant companion
#2. Exercise your faith - actually do it!
Give your children fathers blessings - and blessings of healing through the use of the Melchizedek priesthood you bear
If your a mother - can you bless your children? Yes The prayers of righteous people availeth much. James 5:14-15
Does the gift of healing require the priesthood - No although you don't have the priesthood you can pray for your children!
With responsibility/stewardship comes the right to ask for help with that stewardship - as parents you have that right/authority and should use it.
#3. Stay close to the church and its leaders/ordinances
This church is the only church on earth that is authorized to exercise priesthood power.  This is the church through which a remission of sins can be obtained and the blessings of the temple.
Do not let minor confusion or misunderstanding or offense allow you to loose your membership/activity in the gospel.
#4. Do not be afraid
Fear drives the spirit away - it is the power of the devil - perfect love casteth out fear.
Don't think of yourself - fear is selfish - it is when you think of the results to oneself and how they impact you that you fear.
Think of Others - help others and by doing so you will help yourself.

We need the priesthood Power and Authority in our lives in these last days.  It is through this Power and Authority that we can Protect, Bless, Strengthen, and Perfect ourselves and our families. It is through this authority that we can teach our children to find their place in this world and in the worlds to come! It is through this power and the ordinances of the church that we can save ourselves and our families and obtain with them the Hope of eternal life with our father in the world to come.

Appendix - Resources of interest concering authority/delegation etc.

Basic Rules for Leadership - Delegation:

Avoid giving more authority than the assignment requires. Although this sounds obvious, I have seen many situations where authority and assignment do not balance. I have worked on several projects where individuals were given authority in excess of their responsibility. While some managed to stay within their limits, others abused their influence by demanding how what and when results needed to be achieved.  This was in excess of what the project team could possibly deliver with the available resources. When assigning authority always consider the responsibility that should come with it.

Avoid giving responsibility without assigning the authority to deliver the expected results. I have observed examples of this in organizations where line managers are not given the financial authority to undertake their work properly. Often the authority to reward and discipline for performance lies with senior staff rather than with the person responsible for the assignment. Thus limiting the individual from providing the proper motivation/resources to individuals.

When you delegate authority to a colleague, you are still responsible for the performance of this colleague. You remain accountable for the results even though they are delivered by employees several layers below you.

Ensure individuals have the competencies and the tools they need. Accountability becomes difficult if people are not in the right environment to achieve the results you desire. This includes providing the necessary competencies and tools to do the work.

Hold them accountable. Most of the poor performance I have observed is linked to lack of accountability. People who are not self-accountable or are not held accountable tend to go for the minimum they can get away with.(Everyone is lazy to some degree or another :))

Stop interfering! Once you have delegated responsibility and authority, let the individual get on with it. It is necessary to have regular meetings to review progress, and to coach, mentor and advise, but resist the temptation to get into the details of how to do things or make decisions on their behalf. As General Patton said, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”

Reward for delivering excellent results. Many organizations reward people justly, yet many others do not. Those who do not feel recognized tend, over time, to become de-motivated and your results will suffer.

Remember that you can only hold people accountable for responsibilities when they have been given enough authority to do the job well.

Handbook of Instructions 2.3

2.3 The Priesthood and the Family

Each husband and father in the Church should strive to be worthy to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. With his wife as an equal partner, he presides in righteousness and love, serving as the family’s spiritual leader. He leads the family in regular prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. He works with his wife to teach their children and help them prepare to receive the ordinances of salvation (see D&C 68:25–28). He gives priesthood blessings for direction, healing, and comfort.

Many members do not have faithful Melchizedek Priesthood holders in their homes. Church leaders should give special attention to loving and supporting these members through inspired, watchful care, including home teaching and visiting teaching.

Priesthood Authority - in the Family/Church

She was a strong woman who would not accept such domination, and she was angry to see another woman abused in that way. I think of her reaction whenever I see men misusing their authority to gratify their pride or exercise control or compulsion upon their wives in any degree of unrighteousness (see D&C 121:37).

I have also seen some faithful women who misunderstand how priesthood authority functions. Mindful of their partnership relationship with their husband in the family, some wives have sought to extend that relationship to their husband’s priesthood calling, such as bishop or mission president. In contrast, some single women who have been abused by men (such as in a divorce) mistakenly confuse the priesthood with male abuse and become suspicious of any priesthood authority. A person who has had a bad experience with a particular electrical appliance should not forego using the power of electricity.

In our theology and in our practice, the family and the Church have a mutually reinforcing relationship. The family is dependent upon the Church for doctrine, ordinances, and priesthood keys. The Church provides the teachings, authority, and ordinances necessary to perpetuate family relationships to the eternities.

When my father died, my mother presided over our family. She had no priesthood office, but as the surviving parent in her marriage she had become the governing officer in her family. At the same time, she was always totally respectful of the priesthood authority of our bishop and other Church leaders. She presided over her family, but they presided over the Church.

Keys. One important difference between its function in the Church and in the family is the fact that all priesthood authority in the Church functions under the direction of the one who holds the appropriate priesthood keys. In contrast, the authority that presides in the family—whether father or single-parent mother—functions in family matters without the need to get authorization from anyone holding priesthood keys. This family authority includes directing the activities of the family, family meetings like family home evenings, family prayer, teaching the gospel, and counseling and disciplining family members. It also includes ordained fathers giving priesthood blessings.

However, priesthood keys are necessary to authorize the ordaining or setting apart of family members. This is because the organization the Lord has made responsible for the performance and recording of priesthood ordinances is the Church, not the family.

A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical. The concept of partnership functions differently in the family than in the Church.

Call and release. Another contrast concerns the initiation and termination of positions. In the Church, a priesthood leader who holds the necessary keys has the authority to call or release persons serving under his direction. He can even cause that they lose their membership and have their names “blotted out” (see Mosiah 26:34–38; Alma 5:56–62). In contrast, family relationships are so important that the head of the family lacks the authority to make changes in family membership. That can only be done by someone authorized to adjust family relationships under the laws of man or the laws of God. Thus, while a bishop can release a Relief Society president, he cannot sever his relationship with his wife without a divorce under the laws of man. Again, his sealing for eternity cannot be ended without a cancelation procedure under the laws of God. Similarly, a youth serving in a class or quorum presidency can be released by priesthood authority in the ward, but parents cannot divorce a child whose life choices are offensive to them. Family relationships are more enduring than Church relationships.
 

Gospel Topics Priesthood
In the early 19th century, most Christians believed that the authority to act in God’s name had remained on the earth since the time of Jesus’s mortal ministry. Joseph Smith taught that Christ’s priesthood was lost after the deaths of the ancient apostles and had been newly restored through angelic ministration.

Unlike those in many other churches, Latter-day Saints extended priesthood ordination broadly to laymen, as directed by revelation. Over time, an extensive structure of priesthood offices and quorums was established. From the beginning, this structure was governed by revelation under the direction of priesthood leaders holding “keys.”  The keys of the Melchizedek priesthood, given through divine messengers to Joseph Smith and later passed to others, bestowed the “right of presidency,” the right “to administer in spiritual things,” and the “right to officiate in all the offices in the church.”

When a man and a woman are sealed in the temple, they enter together, by covenant, into an order of the priesthood. If they are faithful to their covenants, they receive “honor, immortality, and eternal life,” “exaltation and glory in all things,” and “a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” Some do not have the opportunity to marry in this life, and many experience broken family relationships. Because God is just, every child of God will have the opportunity, either in this life or in the next, to accept the gospel and receive all promised blessings (including eternal marriage), conditioned upon faithfulness.

The priesthood authority exercised by Latter-day Saint women in the temple and elsewhere remains largely unrecognized by people outside the Church and is sometimes misunderstood or overlooked by those within. Latter-day Saints and others often mistakenly equate priesthood with religious office and the men who hold it, which obscures the broader Latter-day Saint concept of priesthood.

Today, Latter-day Saint women lead three organizations within the Church: the Relief Society, the Young Women, and the Primary. They preach and pray in congregations, fill numerous positions of leadership and service, participate in priesthood councils at the local and general levels, and serve formal proselytizing missions across the globe. In these and other ways, women exercise priesthood authority even though they are not ordained to priesthood office. Such service and leadership would require ordination in many other religious traditions.

I share with you this pointed lesson I learned from my father to emphasize a simple truth. Receiving the authority of the priesthood by the laying on of hands is an important beginning, but it is not enough. Ordination confers authority, but righteousness is required to act with power as we strive to lift souls, to teach and testify, to bless and counsel, and to advance the work of salvation.
Priesthood Authority and Power - Bednar
Bibliography:
Joseph Smith - Priesthood - Temple - Women - Gospel Topics
Priesthood Authority - in the Family/Church - October 2005 - Dallin H. Oaks
The Powers of Heaven - April 2012 - David A Bednar
 
Concerning Blacks and the Priesthood see: Doctrine - what is it and can it change.