Power of the Priesthood

Early in 2003 I traveled from Rexburg, ID to Provo, UT to be interviewed for the position of EFY Counselor. The big question posed to me by the interviewers that night was this:

Using only the scriptures, how would you teach youth ages 14 to 17 about what the priesthood is and about the purpose of the priesthood?

After the two short minutes of prep time given to me, I responded with these New Testament verses, carried into my mind by the Holy Ghost:

Acts 3: 1-8

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

I concluded, "The priesthood is the power and authority to bless, serve, reach out to, and lift up others the same way Jesus Christ would if He were present."

Another verse from the Doctrine and Covenants highlights this truth, specifically as it relates to giving and receiving priesthood blessings. Jesus, speaking in verse 2 of section 36, says, "And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant ..." Individuals are personally blessed by the Savior as He communicates through the actions and words of worthy priesthood holders.

I felt this powerfully last night as my dad was giving me a Father's Blessing to prepare me for my second year of medical school. And today, as I stood in the Savior's place and used the priesthood to bless Gwen, Aubrie, and Liz in preparation for Gwen's first day of preschool, I felt His love and concern for them being expressed through me.

I am grateful for the miracle of the restored gospel which brought the priesthood back to the earth. And I am humbled to bear this marvelous and sacred power - a power which lifts and comforts and testifies of the living reality of Jesus Christ.