priesthood authority is most important in the family. President Harold B. Lee By President Russell M. Nelson gave this promise just after he became President of the Church: “Never is the power of the priesthood, which you hold, more wonderful than when there is a crisis in your home, a serious Ministering with illness, or some great decision that has to be made. Vested in the power of the priesthood, which is the power of the Power and Authority Almighty God, is the power to perform miracles if the Lord wills it so, but in order for us to use that priesthood, we must be worthy to exercise it. A failure of God to understand this principle is a failure to receive the blessings of holding that We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His great priesthood.” 10 loving-kindness. My beloved brethren, the magnify- ing of the holy priesthood you hold is vital to the work of the Lord in your families and in your Church callings. y beloved brethren, thank you It is a remarkable blessing to serve I testify of Him whose priesthood it for your devotion to the Lord in the Lord’s true and living Church is. Through His atoning suffering and Mand His holy work. It is truly with His authority and power. The sacrifice and resurrection, all men and a joy to be with you. As a new First restoration of the priesthood of God, women have the assurance of immor- Presidency, we thank you for your including the keys of the priesthood, tality and the opportunity for eternal prayers and for your sustaining efforts. opens to worthy Latter-day Saints the life. Each of us should be faithful and We are grateful for your lives and for greatest of all spiritual blessings. We diligent in doing our part in this great your service to the Lord. Your devotion see those blessings flowing to women, work of God our Eternal Father, in the to duty and your selfless service are just men, and children throughout the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ as important in your callings as ours world. are in our callings. Through a lifetime We see faithful women who NOTES of service in this Church, I have learned understand the power inherent in their 1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: that it really doesn’t matter where one callings and in their endowment and Joseph F . Smith (1998), 343. 2. Teachings: Joseph F . Smith , 340, 343. serves. What the Lord cares about is other temple ordinances. These women 3. Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. how one serves. know how to call upon the powers of (1939), 182. I express deep gratitude for heaven to protect and strengthen their 4. Bruce R. McConkie, “Only an Elder,” Ensign, June 1975, 66; emphasis in President Thomas S. Monson, who was husbands, their children, and others original not preserved. an example to me for more than 50 they love. These are spiritually strong 5. Bruce R. McConkie, “Only an Elder,” 66; years. And for his counselors, President women who lead, teach, and minis- emphasis in original not preserved. 6. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. ter fearlessly in their callings with the Harold B . Lee (2000), 93. Uchtdorf, I express profound admira- power and authority of God! 1 How 7. The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. tion. I commend them for their service thankful I am for them! Clyde J. Williams (1996), 499. 8. See Dallin H. Oaks, “Priesthood Authority to the Lord and His prophets. Both of Likewise, we see faithful men who in the Family and the Church,” Ensign or these devoted servants have received live up to their privileges as bearers of Liahona, Nov. 2005, 24–27. new assignments. They continue to the priesthood. They lead and serve by 9. See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 145. serve with vigor and commitment. I sacrifice in the Lord’s way with love, 10. Teachings: Harold B . Lee , 97. honor and love them both. kindness, and patience. They bless, 68 GENERAL PRIESTHOOD SESSION | MARCH 31, 2018 guide, protect, and strengthen others did not know the difference between a for them. Stake presidents and bishops, by the power of the priesthood they prayer and a priesthood blessing. With please ensure that every member of hold. They bring miracles to those they his priesthood authority and power, the quorums within your stewardship serve while they keep their own mar- he could have blessed his infant, but understands how to give a priesthood riages and families safe. They shun evil he did not. I thought, “What a missed blessing—including the personal and are mighty elders in Israel.2 I am opportunity!” worthiness and spiritual preparation most thankful for them! Let me cite some other examples. required to call fully upon the power Now, may I voice a concern? It is We know of brethren who set sisters of God.5 this: Too many of our brothers and apart as Primary, Young Women, or To all brethren holding the priest- sisters do not fully understand the con- Relief Society leaders and teachers but hood, I invite you to inspire members cept of priesthood power and authority. fail to bless them—to bless them with to keep their covenants, fast and pray, They act as though they would rather the power to fulfill their callings. They study the scriptures, worship in the satisfy their own selfish desires and give only admonitions and instructions. temple, and serve with faith as men appetites than use the power of God to We see a worthy father who fails to and women of God. We can help all to bless His children. give his wife and his children priest- see with the eye of faith that obedi- I fear that too many of our brothers hood blessings when that is exactly ence and righteousness will draw them and sisters do not grasp the privileges what they need. Priesthood power has closer to Jesus Christ, allow them to that could be theirs.3 Some of our been restored to this earth, and yet enjoy the companionship of the Holy brethren, for example, act like they do far too many brothers and sisters go Ghost, and experience joy in life! not understand what the priesthood is through terrible trials in life without A hallmark of the Lord’s true and and what it enables them to do. Let me ever receiving a true priesthood bless- living Church will always be an orga- give you some specific examples. ing. What a tragedy! That’s a tragedy nized, directed effort to minister to Not long ago, I attended a sacra- that we can eliminate. individual children of God and their ment meeting in which a new baby Brethren, we hold the holy priest- families.6 Because it is His Church, we was to be given a name and a father’s hood of God! We have His authority as His servants will minister to the one, blessing. The young father held his to bless His people. Just think of the just as He did.7 We will minister in His precious infant in his arms, gave her remarkable assurance the Lord gave name, with His power and authority, a name, and then offered a beautiful us when He said, “Whomsoever you and with His loving-kindness. prayer. But he did not give that child bless I will bless.” 4 It is our privilege to An experience I had more than 60 a blessing. That sweet baby girl got a act in the name of Jesus Christ to bless years ago in Boston taught me just how name but no blessing! That dear elder God’s children according to His will powerful the privilege of ministering MAY 2018 69 create a new stake in Sanpete County, Utah. During the usual interviews, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter again my dear friend Brother Cox! I felt impressed to call him as the new stake patriarch. After I ordained him, we embraced each other and wept. People in the room were wondering why these two grown men were crying. But we knew. And Sister Cox knew. Ours were tears of joy! We silently remembered the incredible journey of love and repentance that began more than 30 years ago, one night in their home. The account doesn’t end there. Brother and Sister Cox’s family grew to include 3 children, 20 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren. Add to that their impact on hundreds of missionar- ies, on thousands more in the temple, one-on-one can be. I was then a I gazed about the room with won- and on hundreds more who received resident surgeon at the Massachusetts derment and said, “Brother Cox, I have patriarchal blessings at the hands of General Hospital—on duty every day, always wanted to learn more about Wilbur Cox. His and Leonora’s influ- every other night, and every other amateur radio work. Would you be ence will continue to ripple through weekend. I had limited time for my willing to teach me about it? I’m sorry I many generations throughout the wife, our four children, and Church can’t stay any longer tonight, but could world. activity. Nonetheless, our branch pres- I come back another time?” Experiences such as this with Wilbur ident assigned me to visit the home of He hesitated for a moment and then and Leonora Cox occur every week— Wilbur and Leonora Cox with the hope said yes.