Talk given in Stake General Priesthood meeting 

Nov, 2022 

Priesthood Power 

When I was a young teenager my family and my Uncle Norman's family meet in the Diamond Fork Canyon off of Spanish Fork Canyon for a picnic and float down the Diamond Fork River. We had large truck tire tubes and were all set out for an exciting trip down this small river. Uncle Norman was a big man, over six feet tall and solid as a tank. He had been in the Navy and had a reputation as someone you didn't pick a fight with. He never lost. He took up the rear of the caravan down the river in order to help anyone in trouble and to make sure we all made it down river. I was just ahead of him. I came to a snag in the river. A tree had fallen across the river and the large trunk was just below the water's surface. I watched as those in front of me simple bounced the front of their tubes and passed over the tree trunk. When I tried to do the same the back of my tube went down and the current pushed my tube down into the water and I went over backwards. I suddenly found myself under water pinned between the river bottom and the tree trunk. I tried will of my might to get loose but the power of the current kept me hopelessly pinned down. Suddenly I was lifted out of the water and set on the bank of the river by my uncle Norman. It felt like some giant of a creature had snatched me out of the water. I knew in that moment that I would not be afraid of anything if my uncle Norman was near by. He had the power to save me and because he was in the right place at the right time he did. 

We have a power, or should have a power that does save. This power can save us from the filthy rivers of sin and temptation, it can save us from illness, disease and physical dangers. I can save of from emotional and mental stresses. In short there is nothing that this power can not save us from. This power can save our families and friends and lead them safely back to our Father in Heaven. This power is Priesthood.

I would like to speak tonight about priesthood power.

What is priesthood power? 

How do we identify it? 

How do we increase power in our priesthood? 

Power by definition is: ability to act or produce an effect: possession of control, authority, or influence over others.  

Priesthood power is by this definition the ability to act or produce an effect that is outside or beyond our natural ability. It is a very real force that causes change in many different ways. Such as: moving mountains, parting a river, causing the earth to stand still, calling down fire, famine or stopping the mouths of lions. It can heal the sick, rebuke disease and restore life. It can heal hearts and comfort the downtrodden. It can save families both here and throughout eternity. It is the power by which God creates and exalts everything. 

Because the intelligence that makes up the elements both natural and spiritual recognizes and obeys the authority of the priesthood there is nothing outside of the ability of a righteous priesthood holder. 

Priesthood power can be identified by miraculous outcomes. A miracle is simply something that was not possible outside of divine influence. It can be as simple as a prompting to visit someone in need or as grand as creating a world. One only need open their eyes to see the influence of priesthood power all around them. 

In his talk titled "The Price of Priesthood Power" (General Conference, April 2016), President Nelson spoke of the opportunity before us to grow in priesthood power and thus help prepare the world for the coming of Jesus Christ. 

 “My dear brethren, we have been given a sacred trust—the authority of God to bless others. May each one of us rise up as the man God foreordained us to be—ready to bear the priesthood of God bravely, eager to pay whatever price is required to increase his power in the priesthood. With that power, we can help prepare the world for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” This power is real and boundless. We can grow in priesthood power if we are willing to pay the price. “What is the price to develop such priesthood power?“…be partakers of the divine nature...”faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence. And don’t forget humility! The more those attributes are developed, the greater will be our priesthood power.” “Now, if all of this sounds excessive, please consider how different our relationships with our wife, children, and associates at work would be if we were as concerned about gaining priesthood power as we are in progressing at work or increasing the balance in our bank account. If we will humbly present ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to teach us, He will show us how to increase our access to His power.” 

Unfortunately it’s all to easy to get distracted in this world. Mortal triviality beckons us constantly. And if we truly desire greater priesthood power we will need to do something about that. I don’t think we realize what is available. Listen to this scathing roast by president Nelson. 

 “I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world. 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.” 

Satan knows that if he can get us to focus our attention on triviality we will loose our connection to Heaven and consequently loose power to resist him. So, he seeks to separate us from that power. 

D&C 121

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? 

The reason they are not chosen is because they do not learn something and the reason they don’t learn it is because they are distracted. What they don’t learn is:  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. 

And the reason they don’t learn it is?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world...

In other words there is no priesthood power where there is no spirit and there is no spirit where there is no righteousness. So what do we do to increase this priesthood power? 

President Nelson said, “Are you willing to worship in the temple regularly? The Lord loves to do His own teaching in His holy house. Imagine how pleased He would be if you asked Him to teach you about priesthood keys, authority, and power as you experience the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the holy temple. Imagine the increase in priesthood power that could be yours.” “Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? The Lord will teach you. Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ—to study earnestly in order to have more power?” 

Priesthood power borne by a faithful and covenant keeping man has the ability to save. We must seek greater priesthood power if we are to save ourselves and families. 

Here’s what president Nelson suggests that we can do to grow in priesthood power. “In these latter days, we know there will be earthquakes in diverse places. Perhaps one of those diverse places will be in our own homes, where emotional, financial, or spiritual “earthquakes” may occur. Priesthood power can calm the seas and heal fractures in the earth. Priesthood power can also calm the minds and heal fractures in the hearts of those we love.”

May we all seek to increase in Priesthood Power as we prepare for the come of the Lord.