Several months ago, President Nelson asked us to ponder this question, “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?”1 What happened in the Sacred Grove in 1820 changed Joseph Smith’s life forever! On that day, it became abundantly clear that he was personally known and loved by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. That knowledge was fundamental and foundational for everything else he would need to know and do. The same is true for each of us. When we know our true identity as children of God, it changes everything! It deepens our understanding and appreciation of so many other doctrines. It will enhance our perspective of the important events that followed the First Vision. One of those events is the restoration of the priesthood.
I love this quote from Robert D. Hales, “Can you imagine how dark and empty mortality would be if there were no priesthood? If the power of the priesthood were not upon the earth, the adversary would have freedom to roam and reign without restraint. There would be no gift of the Holy Ghost to direct and enlighten us; no prophets to speak in the name of the Lord; no temples where we could make sacred, eternal covenants; no authority to bless or baptize, to heal or comfort. Without the power of the priesthood, ‘the whole earth would be utterly wasted’. There would be no light, no hope—only darkness.”2
I cannot imagine! I cannot imagine not having all of those blessings in my life every day! But do we fully understand and appreciate the power of the priesthood in our lives? Probably not. Last October President Nelson said, “I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power.”3 I was intrigued by the word entreat, which means to “ask earnestly; beseech; implore; beg.”4 This was a prophetic plea! What will that kind of study do for each of us? Surely the prophet knows our lives will be greatly blessed as we come to more fully understand and invite the power of the priesthood in our lives.
M. Russell Ballard reminds us, “Our Father in Heaven is generous with His power. All men and all women have access to this power for help in their lives. All who have made sacred covenants with the Lord and who honor those covenants are eligible to receive personal revelation, to be blessed by the ministering of angels, to commune with God, to receive the fulness of the gospel, and, ultimately, to become heirs alongside Jesus Christ of all our Father has.”5
We are privileged to live when the priesthood of God is upon the earth. I hope it is something we never take for granted! When we learn to recognize the power of the priesthood in our lives, it will become evident to us that it is one of God’s great expressions of love for us as His children.
References:
1. Closing Remarks – Russell M. Nelson
2. Blessings of the Priesthood – Robert D. Hales
3. Spiritual Treasures – Russell M. Nelson
4. Entreat – dictionary.com
5. Men and Women and Priesthood Power – M. Russell Ballard