While giving a priesthood blessing, should the speaker ask Heavenly Father to bless the person, or should the speaker pronounce the blessing himself? Read this interesting insight from Robert Millet.
3 Min Read
Read Robert Millet inspiring response to a widow who had been told doing her late husband’s temple work would be a waste of time.
6 Min Read
Many of us would like to know when the Second Coming is going to happen. After all, it is the latter days, so we know the event is closer than it ever has been before. But when will it actually take place?
7 Min Read
“How many people in this room hold priesthood keys?” I was surprised as I read aloud their diverse responses! “1,” “50,” “25,” “4,” “all of us,” “none of us,” “just the men in the room who hold the priesthood,” “all who have been through the temple,” and my favorite, most sincere answer, “I have no idea!”
13 Min Read
“Some [patriarchs] may see the words ... and some may hear them. Others may just have impressions and feelings as to what they should say.”
6 Min Read
Ed Willis authored the raw, gritty memoir, ‘Panther to Priesthood.’ From matters of race to matters of the heart, here are a few principles he wants you to know.
2 Min Read
While the First Vision holds great significance, little would have happened had Joseph’s interactions with heavenly messengers ended there.
2 Min Read
“What does [the priesthood] bring into our lives? Why did God need this authority? Why did God need these ordinances in our lives at this time?”
4 Min Read
When my husband became a bishop over four years ago, it was one of the greatest blessings for our family. And yet while my husband’s calling has been a wonderful thing for us, I’ve also found that I’ve needed support from others going through the same experience.
5 Min Read
“You, my sisters, if you are faithful will become Queens of Queens, and Priestesses unto the Most High God. These are your callings.”
—Eliza R. Snow
8 Min Read
For Ed Willis, life was one harsh blow after another. He sought higher meaning in the Black Panther Party, but ultimately only Jesus Christ brought peace.
7 Min Read
In the new Aaronic Priesthood quorum theme, there is purpose to the order of each phrase.
1 Min Read
“She wanted to know what women did in our Church, and that was all the encouragement I needed to give her a glimpse into life as a Latter-day Saint woman.”
4 Min Read
Mauli Junior Bonner says when he first learned about enslaved pioneers, it strengthened him—he wanted to learn more about them, why they stayed, and what their experience had been like.
3 Min Read
When I got a notification in late November in my podcasts app, it really felt like Christmas came early. A new episode from The First Vision: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast was titled, “New Podcast Mini-Series Announcement.”
10 Min Read
Camille Fronk Olson is a professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former department chair at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Her research and publications have focused on women in the Bible and Palestinian families. She loves to travel, garden, and research stories about her ancestors. She scored when she married Paul Olson, a decision that included the blessing of two children and four grandchildren.
10 Min Read
In October 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson invited Latter-day Saint women to study section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants and “discover what the Holy Ghost will teach you” about how to access God's priesthood power. For those who accepted that invitation, President Nelson gave the following promise:
1 Min Read
I recently sat with a number of members of the Community of Christ, previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as part of an interfaith dialogue. I have great love and respect for these people, those I consider brothers and sisters in the faith. We talked openly and in a friendly manner about similarities and differences between our two churches and landed squarely on the topic of women and the priesthood. One of the women in the room who had been ordained to the priesthood described her responsibilities and shared her feelings regarding the blessing it was for her to be able to perform priesthood ordinances.
5 Min Read
Much like the beautifully crocheted and intricately designed cloths that are used to cover the altars in the temple, all of God’s children — the whole human race — are bound together by a single thread, said Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.
1 Min Read
This week's FHE lesson topic comes from the Come, Follow Me reading of Hebrews 1-6. Check out this week's Come, Follow Me study ideas on LDS Living for additional resources and suggestions.
1 Min Read
I recently sat with a number of members of the Community of Christ, previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as part of an interfaith dialogue. I have great love and respect for these people, those I consider brothers and sisters in the faith. We talked openly and in a friendly manner about similarities and differences between our two churches and landed squarely on the topic of women and the priesthood. One of the women in the room who had been ordained to the priesthood described her responsibilities and shared her feelings regarding the blessing it was for her to be able to perform priesthood ordinances.
6 Min Read
“I believe it will change your life.”
1 Min Read
One evening Lydia [Knight] requested me (Newel Knight) to go to the Prophet and get a handkerchief from him, or ask him to send her a healing blessing. And, said [Lydia], “I believe I shall be healed.” She would have been glad to have sent for him to come and lay hands upon her, but did not feel worthy to trouble him . . . as the multitude of business and care he had over the Church she knew was more than he was able to endure with the sufferings of the saints.
3 Min Read
President Oaks instructed that “all priesthood authority in the Church functions under the direction of the one who holds the appropriate priesthood keys.”
6 Min Read
"Several months ago, at the end of a temple endowment session, I said to my wife, 'I hope the sisters understand the spiritual treasures that are theirs in the temple,'" President Russell M. Nelson said during the women's session of general conference. "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. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power."
5 Min Read
As Latter-day Saints, we may know what the priesthood is, but do we know how it works?
1 Min Read
Priesthood power is more than priesthood authority. With priesthood authority (authorization through someone holding priesthood keys), women and men can fulfill callings and assignments, represent the Church as missionaries, make covenants, and perform ordinances that are valid. With both priesthood authority and priesthood power, they can do these things in ways that magnify those callings, invite the Spirit, bless lives, develop spiritual gifts, and even bring about miracles. Relief Society General President Linda K. Burton affirms, “There is a difference . . . between priesthood authority and priesthood power. Priesthood authority is conferred by ordination, but priesthood power is available to all.”1
9 Min Read
Recently the Ensign shared a beautiful article byBarbara Morgan Gardiner about connecting daughters of God to His priesthood power. This article has been shared by several apostles on Facebook, along with messages about the power of women and how they access priesthood power in their lives.
1 Min Read
“Dad, can I be ordained a deacon right after midnight?” my 11-year-old, Koleson, asked me from the backseat.
3 Min Read
It's the big day you've been waiting for. You and your spouse sit proudly in the church pew. Grandparents and family have traveled miles to attend. A member of the bishopric makes a few announcements and then asks your just-turned 12-year-old son to stand.
3 Min Read
The concept of priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unique. A portion of God's power is delegated to "individuals who He knows perfectly well are imperfect." How does that work? As authors, Dale and Ruth Renlund ask, "How is it conceivable that His awesome, delicate power could be used by both an illiterate farmer and a rocket scientist—to equal effect—in the salvation of humankind?" Understanding the doctrine of the priesthood and the principles that govern its use is a pursuit worth of any member of the Church, but one that should be of special concern to those who hold or are preparing to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. This careful explanation offers a perfect way to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of priesthood power and how to use it.
4 Min Read
One of our sons and I were assigned as home teaching companions. Together we taught a number of families, including a divorced sister with three young daughters. Over time we developed a close and trusting relationship with the woman and her children. We appreciated the opportunities we had to serve them spiritually and temporally.
4 Min Read
The following is an excerpt from The Melchizedek Priesthood. While Elder and Sister Renlund are addressing priesthood holders in this passage, the council is true and imperative for every member of the Church.
5 Min Read
With the Church's special worldwide event on June 1to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1978 revelation on the priesthood, now is the perfect opportunity for parents to discuss the priesthood and temple ban with their children. We hope the following article will help facilitate this important discussion in LDS homes.
8 Min Read
Whether on the home front or the front lines, many LDS military families are making great sacrifices on behalf of their country. As husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters are asked to serve abroad, family members are left behind to carry on at home. Here is a look at some of their personal experiences, as compiled in the book Faith in the Service.
14 Min Read
In a recent notice sent to priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women, and Young Men leaders on May 11, the Church answered frequently asked questions about ministering and changes to priesthood quorums, whichare also posted on ministering.lds.org.
2 Min Read
Now that the shock factor of so many changes announced in one short conference weekend has begun to fade, I've dived back into general conference, listening to each talk and searching for key messages and takeaways I might have missed in the initial excitement.
3 Min Read
When I was ordained an Elder I remember being taught this truth by Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “We are his agents; we represent him; we are expected to do and say what he would do and say if he personally were ministering among men at this time.” It struck me, I need to prepare and be worthy at any minute to act and stand in the place of the Savior.
1 Min Read
Do you know a young Latter-day Saint who will soon be turning 12? Meridian Magazine shares five things every young man and woman should understand about the Aaronic priesthood.
1 Min Read
When faith and faithfulness are added to priesthood authority, marvelous things can happen in the lives of men, women, and families. We learn in the scriptures that after the Lord "called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease" (Matthew 10:1; see also Mark 3:14; Mark 6:7; and Luke 9:1). . . .
3 Min Read
On June 1, 2018, a worldwide celebration will be held celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the 1978 revelation that extended the priesthood to all worthy male members of the Church. The First Presidency announced the celebration on April 9, which will be held in Salt Lake City.
1 Min Read
During the Saturday priesthood session, President Russell M. Nelson announced major organizational changes to the adult priesthood quorums.
2 Min Read
During the priesthood session of general conference, President Nelson announced major changes to the organization of adult priesthood quorums.
1 Min Read
All blessings come from God’s total priesthood power and authority. Priesthood power and blessings, by that expanded definition, have been and always will be available to all who qualify for them, without restriction based on gender, birth order, or lineage. This principle can readily be seen from multiple examples in which God’s power was manifest at a time when conferred priesthood did not exist on the earth. Many spiritual and devoted individuals complied with laws that govern reception of God’s blessings, without having received any priesthood ordination. Christian reformers such as William Tyndale, Martin Luther, and John Calvin received God’s power as they translated the Bible and participated in other inspired activities.
4 Min Read
The concept of priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unique and perhaps confusing for those who are unfamiliar with it. Even many members of the Church who accept, love, and appreciate the priesthood may find themselves “fuzzy” on the doctrine and principles. Perhaps that is because the term priesthood is used in at least two ways. First, priesthood is the term used to describe the total power and authority of God. Second, priesthood is also the term used to describe the power and authority that God gives to ordained priesthood holders on earth to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. 1 This second usage is the widely accepted definition of the priesthood. For example, Preach My Gospel defines priesthood as the authority and power that God gives to man to act in the name of Jesus Christ in all things for the salvation of mankind. 2 Thus, the same word, priesthood, refers both to God’s total power and authority and to that portion of His power and authority that He delegates to man on earth.
4 Min Read
Heavenly Father through the priesthood offers His eternal promises to each of His children.
4 Min Read
Fourth Sunday Relief Society and Priesthood teachers have a fascinating new task presented to them this year—teaching about the same topic for every month between general conferences.
8 Min Read
The Deseret News recently compiled a number of interviews to help answer questions Church members might have about the new Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood curriculum set to begin in just a few weeks.
1 Min Read
For a more in-depth look at this topic, check out, "5 Ways Women Are Already Given Priesthood Authority and Officiate in Priesthood Ordinances in the Church."
3 Min Read