Priesthood Power
In the Primary lesson I taught yesterday we read four of the miracles Jesus performed. Calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), feeding the five thousand men (Mark 6:33-44), healing the boy with the unclean spirit (Luke 9:37-43), and walking on the water with Peter (Matthew 14:22-33) were the ones we read together in class. The stated purpose of the lesson was to help the kids better understand the power of the priesthood. After reading of the calming of the storm I asked why He was able to do this. Responses included "He's Jesus," "He's God," "He's perfect." and the like. I asked if anyone besides Jesus could do the same. They all agreed no one else could. I told them Jesus was able to perform this and other miracles not because He was perfect nor because He was God, but for other reasons, and asked for speculation on what the other reasons might be. (They clearly were guessing, but I find it satisfying to see their little minds searching for correct answers.) We eventually read all four of the miracles mentioned above, and also eventually wrote three things on the board:
1. Priesthood
2. Faith
3. Worthy
We then discussed, through questions and answers, how worthy, and faithful priesthood holders today could perform the same and/or similar miracles today - if they had enough faith and were worthy. Because these are the three reasons Jesus was able to perform these and other miracles.
Comments?
12 comments:
You forgot another factor. It's important to remember that we can only do things if God will allow it. With the Priesthood and faith we can move mountains but if it's not on par with God's will then there's no point in trying. -Karleigh
I agree. I was assuming (probably incorrectly) that if one has enough faith and is worthy enough to perform a "miracle," then one's will is also in line with God's will. But I agree that point should have been stated and not assumed.
I think far too often we chalk up not trying as "God's will." Like, not going on a mission, or not getting married in the temple, or not using our priesthood to actually heal the sick and afflicted.
God's will is that we will be blessed and follow his commandments. Too often the first thing I hear in a miracles discussion is the extreme swing toward, God might not want me to exercise my priesthood. Where in scripture does God tell us to ask him before using our priesthood whether or not he really wants us to utilize this power? True we don't roam around altering the world with our priesthood, but too many priesthood holders NEVER use their priesthood for anything other than ordinance work. If anything, the scriptures tell us to set aside our doubts and fears and move forward in blessing the lives of those who stand in need of healing and comfort and miracles.
I agree. It seems that the key may be having our will in line with God's will. There is an instance (maybe plural) from the scriptures - I can't recall where it's found nor who the prophet was - where the Lord granted that whatever this particular prophet commanded to happen would come to pass. Why? Because the Lord knew that this prophet's will was in line with His own, therefore He knew the prophet would not command anything to happen that was not His will. We must make more effort to align our will with God's. And this includes increased faith and worthiness. As we progress in these areas God will grant the same unto us - whatever we speak by the power of the priesthood will come to pass.
Amen to that...bro, bros, and dad!
No, you missed my point. I think too many people sit spinning their wheels doing nothing because they equate aligning their will with God's to "I'm not doing nothing til the Lord okays it." He wants us to use our priesthood to heal the sick and the afflicted. He wants us to bless the lives of other people. True, we should seek His guidance and counsel, but waiting around for this imaginary "Already our minds are beginning to act as one" moment to occur can be damning to one's growth. Grow, serve, fast, pray, administer, perform miracles, but don't sit around waiting for the synchronization of wills to occur because if you are keeping your covenants with God, then your will is aligned with God's. Period. Now get to work and start using your priesthood.
Perhaps Karleigh's point was also missed. It was simply to help define faith. That is, faith must necessarily be in something that is true, that faith is an "assurance of things hoped for." While faith is more than this, including the action and worthiness Joe indicated, Karleigh's point was simply regarding this aspect: If the object of hope is not true, then it is not faith. If the object of hope is true, then it is faith (with the understanding that worthiness, action and assurances must also be present along with hope in order for it to be faith).
Karleigh's phrase "then there's no point in trying" seems to be the reactive part of her comment. Albeit the key to her comment is that it is an "If... then" statement. Thus, "no point in trying" would only be true if God doesn't condone the action.
Two references related to this thread of comments are D&C 58:26-29, and Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, p. 11-21.
Yes and no.
No, we should not sit around waiting for our wills to align - passive waiting for alignment gets us nowhere but into a lesser kingdom.
Yes, but there are different levels of "keeping your covenants with God" just as there are different levels of commitment and different levels of faith and different levels of worthiness and...
I have to ask myself in all humility, "Do I devote all my time and talents to the building up of the kingdom?" If I do, my will is more in alignment with His - and until I do I don't have the power to fully use my priesthood on an "at will" basis.
It's uncomfortable to admit that I have been too proud and lazy to take the actions needed for "aligned wills," but this is the case. And as of late, it becomes more and more apparent to me (and perceptible others). This revelation has been building as I have studied the scriptures and read and listened to those who have aligned their will with His - and to those who are trying harder (and succeeding better) than me.
What think ye?
Tears. When you want the truth, the Paid Minister is here with the answers. I'll even consider a discount on answers for family and friends. John
By the way, all should close with their name so we know who the crap is posting as in the case of Daniel and Karleigh, etc. Sometimes Sunni will post pretending to be a Paid Minister when in fact she is not. I will always close with my secret blog name "John"
OK, Prime Minister, I will address you as such from here on out. D
In discussing papa's post I once heard someone describe Jesus' ability to command elements because the elements know Him. He created the winds, the waves, the waters, and even our flesh, and when He speaks to the elements they recognize His voice. Perhaps our ability to command such things comes from acting in the name of God, thus using the voice of God, thus being recognized ourselves by the elements. The discussion was interesting. What do you say?
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