How Can I Access God’s Priesthood Power and Blessings?

 My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 84 in a lesson titled “The Power of Godliness.” The lesson was introduced by the following information.

Ever since the priesthood was restored in 1829, the early Saints had been blessed by the Lord’s sacred power. They were baptized, confirmed, and called to serve by priesthood authority, much like we are today. But having access to priesthood power is not the same thing as completely understanding it, and God had more He wanted His Saints to understand—particularly with the coming restoration of temple ordinances. The 1832 revelation on the priesthood, now Doctrine and Covenants 84, expanded the Saints’ vision of what the priesthood really is. And it can do the same for us today. After all, there is a lot to learn about the divine power that holds “the key of the knowledge of God,” that makes manifest “the power of godliness,” and that prepares us to “see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (verses 19-22). 

Doctrine and Covenants 84 is a long section with 120 verses. Those verses contain numerous principles, including the following: (1) I have access to God’s priesthood power and blessings (Doctrine and Covenants 84:17-32), (2) The priesthood is obtained with an oath and covenant (Doctrine and Covenants 84:31-44), (3) Living by the word of God brings light and truth into my life (Doctrine and Covenants 84:43-61), (4) The Lord will be with me when I am in His service (Doctrine and Covenants 84:62-91), and (5) Everyone can contribute to the work of God (Doctrine and Covenants 84:106-110).

All of the principles are worthy of extended discussion, but I feel prompted to discuss the first principle, “I have access to God’s priesthood power and blessings” as taught in Doctrine and Covenants 84:17-32. As I usually do, I will begin with the applicable scripture block.

17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.

18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;

24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.

25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;

26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

28 For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power.

29 And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages belonging unto the high priesthood.

30 And again, the offices of teacher and deacon are necessary appendages belonging to the lesser priesthood, which priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons.

31 Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses—for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed—

32 And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord’s house, whose sons are ye; and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my church. [Emphasis added.]

When I think about the word priesthood, I think of the power of God. Priesthood is the power with which the earth was created, with which the stars, moon, and sun were hung in the sky, and with which God works with humankind. God’s priesthood power has influenced my life in numerous ways, the most important of which are the covenants that I have made with God and the promised blessings. It is through priesthood ordinances that “the power of godliness is manifest” (see verses 19-21).

President Russell M. Nelson taught the following: “Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God” (“Spiritual Treasures,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 77). President Nelson speaks directly to women about the priesthood and about the priesthood power that they have, particularly all women who are endowed in the temple. I listened to his talk three times and will listen to it again and again. I encourage all women to listen to the words of the Lord’s living Prophet.