Duncan Posted May 19, 2014 Posted May 19, 2014 I once heard in university that Power means getting someone to do something even if they don't want to do it,but as per DC 121 I don't think that what Priesthood power means but what does it mean? Power to do what?
bluebell Posted May 19, 2014 Posted May 19, 2014 Power to act in the name of God and using His authority is probably how most LDS would define it. 1
Duncan Posted May 19, 2014 Author Posted May 19, 2014 So for like ordinances and such? Women have the power as well but don't perform the ordinances, how does that add to it?
Tacenda Posted May 19, 2014 Posted May 19, 2014 (edited) So for like ordinances and such? Women have the power as well but don't perform the ordinances, how does that add to it?Yes, and they do perform ordinances, in the temple and recently read a quote by JS, that he wanted to give women the PH. "Two weeks before Smith organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, Ill., in 1842, he told the women that "the Society should move according to the ancient Priesthood" and he was "going to make this Society a kingdom of priests as in Enoch's day - as in Paul's day." ETA: http://www.lds-mormon.com/01220259.shtml Edited May 19, 2014 by Tacenda
Duncan Posted May 19, 2014 Author Posted May 19, 2014 Power to save or to be saved! doesn't God and the Saviour have that? I can't save myself
Buckeye Posted May 19, 2014 Posted May 19, 2014 Here are my 2-cents. Power is the ability to act. It is the ability to influence things that are acted upon. It comes through knowledge and experience, which comes through seeing others' example and choosing to follow. Through practice and effort one develops the ability to act on one's own. Power is different from authority. Authority merely means your actions are recognized as valid by whoever authorized you. Authority alone does not give you the power to do anything. I find it helpful to analogize to driving a car. Authority is the license, the state's recognization that you are allowed to drive. Power is the ability to actually drive a car from point A to point B safely and efficiently. Power comes by learning from someone who knows how to drive and following their instructions for long enough to gain the ability yourself. Power can be lost through bad choices. For example, someone who is normally a good driver, but chooses to get drunk, looses the power to effectively drive a car during the time he/she is inebriated. During that time they may still have a valid license, but they've lost all power to drive. Power can also exist where someone does not have authority. For instance, a missionary overseas may not have a license to drive in the country they are stationed, but still have the ability to drive that he/she gained by driving for several years in their home country prior to going on the mission. Keys are a specific authority to drive a specific vehicle at a specific time. Keys are added to a person with authority (license) and ability (power) who is told to use the keys proactively for a specific good. As an example, when 17-year-old girl drives herself and her brother to early morning seminary, she does so with authority (state-issued license), power (a year of driving experience), and keys (parents handed her the keys for the purpose of driving to seminary). When a 13 year old Deacon's Quorum President directs his quorum members to collect fast offerings he does so with authority (ordination), power (instruction from his DQ Advisor and parents, plus effort and practice) and keys (conferred by the Bishop for use in building up the welfare program in the ward). 3
Duncan Posted May 19, 2014 Author Posted May 19, 2014 Here are my 2-cents. Power is the ability to act. It is the ability to influence things that are acted upon. It comes through knowledge and experience, which comes through seeing others' example and choosing to follow. Through practice and effort one develops the ability to act on one's own. Power is different from authority. Authority merely means your actions are recognized as valid by whoever authorized you. Authority alone does not give you the power to do anything. I find it helpful to analogize to driving a car. Authority is the license, the state's recognization that you are allowed to drive. Power is the ability to actually drive a car from point A to point B safely and efficiently. Power comes by learning from someone who knows how to drive and following their instructions for long enough to gain the ability yourself. Power can be lost through bad choices. For example, someone who is normally a good driver, but chooses to get drunk, looses the power to effectively drive a car during the time he/she is inebriated. During that time they may still have a valid license, but they've lost all power to drive. Power can also exist where someone does not have authority. For instance, a missionary overseas may not have a license to drive in the country they are stationed, but still have the ability to drive that he/she gained by driving for several years in their home country prior to going on the mission. Keys are a specific authority to drive a specific vehicle at a specific time. Keys are added to a person with authority (license) and ability (power) who is told to use the keys proactively for a specific good. As an example, when 17-year-old girl drives herself and her brother to early morning seminary, she does so with authority (state-issued license), power (a year of driving experience), and keys (parents handed her the keys for the purpose of driving to seminary). When a 13 year old Deacon's Quorum President directs his quorum members to collect fast offerings he does so with authority (ordination), power (instruction from his DQ Advisor and parents, plus effort and practice) and keys (conferred by the Bishop for use in building up the welfare program in the ward). that is excellent, thank you!
CV75 Posted May 19, 2014 Posted May 19, 2014 doesn't God and the Saviour have that? I can't save myselfYes, God and the Savior have that. Faith is power; God and the Savior faith or the power to save, and we have faith, or the power to be saved. 1
Duncan Posted May 20, 2014 Author Posted May 20, 2014 Here are my 2-cents. Power is the ability to act. It is the ability to influence things that are acted upon. It comes through knowledge and experience, which comes through seeing others' example and choosing to follow. Through practice and effort one develops the ability to act on one's own. Power is different from authority. Authority merely means your actions are recognized as valid by whoever authorized you. Authority alone does not give you the power to do anything. I find it helpful to analogize to driving a car. Authority is the license, the state's recognization that you are allowed to drive. Power is the ability to actually drive a car from point A to point B safely and efficiently. Power comes by learning from someone who knows how to drive and following their instructions for long enough to gain the ability yourself. Power can be lost through bad choices. For example, someone who is normally a good driver, but chooses to get drunk, looses the power to effectively drive a car during the time he/she is inebriated. During that time they may still have a valid license, but they've lost all power to drive. Power can also exist where someone does not have authority. For instance, a missionary overseas may not have a license to drive in the country they are stationed, but still have the ability to drive that he/she gained by driving for several years in their home country prior to going on the mission. Keys are a specific authority to drive a specific vehicle at a specific time. Keys are added to a person with authority (license) and ability (power) who is told to use the keys proactively for a specific good. As an example, when 17-year-old girl drives herself and her brother to early morning seminary, she does so with authority (state-issued license), power (a year of driving experience), and keys (parents handed her the keys for the purpose of driving to seminary). When a 13 year old Deacon's Quorum President directs his quorum members to collect fast offerings he does so with authority (ordination), power (instruction from his DQ Advisor and parents, plus effort and practice) and keys (conferred by the Bishop for use in building up the welfare program in the ward). When we are endowed with power as it says in some verses how does that work? how do you give someone power? I can see giving someone authority or kys but how is power given?
strappinglad Posted May 20, 2014 Posted May 20, 2014 What is the difference between secular power and spiritual power? Suppose you want to climb a vertical rock face up a 1000 ft. Do you have the power to do so? If not, could you obtain that power? What would be necessary for you to accomplish your goal? Which attribute would be the most important for your success? Suppose you want the power to heal ...
Duncan Posted May 20, 2014 Author Posted May 20, 2014 What is the difference between secular power and spiritual power? Suppose you want to climb a vertical rock face up a 1000 ft. Do you have the power to do so? If not, could you obtain that power? What would be necessary for you to accomplish your goal? Which attribute would be the most important for your success?Suppose you want the power to heal ... training and desire to climb!
JLHPROF Posted May 20, 2014 Posted May 20, 2014 The power comes from faith. The authority legitimizes the request before God. That's why healings can be performed by faith or by priesthood blessing or both. Other ordinances are more significant and require authority and faith to be binding. Confirmation for instance requires priesthood authority to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost and faith to "receive" or claim it. 2
strappinglad Posted May 20, 2014 Posted May 20, 2014 When it comes to spiritual power, I think many have a fear of ' heights'.
Buckeye Posted May 20, 2014 Posted May 20, 2014 When we are endowed with power as it says in some verses how does that work? how do you give someone power? I can see giving someone authority or kys but how is power given? Power comes slowly, kind of like filling a lamp with oil. IMO (and all of this is just my opinion), power is not "given" is the sense of giving a tangible item. It is given by showing example, teaching to the level of the student, and patiently standing by the side of the student as they gain strength. Think of the story in Matthew 17 where Christ's disciples fail to cast the devil out of a child. The disciples had authority, but they did not have power. Christ gave them additional instruction on the need to fast, pray, and have faith. He also showed them how it was done. That is how power is "given." 1
Avatar4321 Posted May 22, 2014 Posted May 22, 2014 The more I ponder D&C 121, the more I am convinced it's one of the greatest revelations mankind has ever recieved. I think the priesthood power is the power of heaven to influence the lives of others. To speak with power is to speak in a convincing matter. The power to command the elements. To heal the body and the soul. Learn how to persuade. learn long suffering, patience, etc. and you will learn what Priesthood power is. 2
Ahab Posted May 22, 2014 Posted May 22, 2014 The more I ponder D&C 121, the more I am convinced it's one of the greatest revelations mankind has ever recieved.I think the priesthood power is the power of heaven to influence the lives of others. To speak with power is to speak in a convincing matter. The power to command the elements. To heal the body and the soul.Learn how to persuade. learn long suffering, patience, etc. and you will learn what Priesthood power is.But realize God does not force anyone to do anything, and Satan doesn't either. We are agents unto ourselves and we choose who we will serve, and what we will do. God can inspire people to be good if they have any desire to be good, but if people want to be bad they can be regardless of the power of God.Like how Satan can see what God can do, and while wanting to be able to do what he can do, still chooses not to and still remains evil, even when looking face to face at the power of God.The power of God/goodness vs the power of Satan/evil.
Stone holm Posted May 26, 2014 Posted May 26, 2014 What was that old song about the T-Bird, " fun, fun, fun, until Daddy takes the keys away..."
knowone Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 (edited) I once heard in university that Power means getting someone to do something even if they don't want to do it,but as per DC 121 I don't think that what Priesthood power means but what does it mean? Power to do what? in one of the apocryphal books about solomon, it mentions that the pyramids in egypt & solomons temple was built by levite priests using ;priesthood power; through the authority of aaron. basically by subjegating evil spirits, i.e. gin's. it goes into a little detail about solomon who was 'powerful in the priesthood as he was wise'. he literally used an instrument in his hand, some call it a ring (it really was a seal with a finger hole) to 'chain' these gin in a metaphysical way to lift huge cut stones. a side note, these stones were cut using another sacred instrument called a 'shamir'. so yeah, closer to the end of the world some elders in israel will have metaphysical powers again. some will be translated. etc, etc Edited June 4, 2014 by knowone 1
why me Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 In the June Ensign priesthood power is discussed: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/06/priesthood-power-available-to-all?lang=eng Priesthood authority is conferred by ordination, but priesthood power is available to all. Righteousness is the qualifier for each of us to invite priesthood power into our lives.We are privileged to live in this season of Church history when questions are being asked about the priesthood. There is great interest and desire to know and understand more about the authority, power, and blessings associated with the priesthood of God. It is my hope that the doctrine of the priesthood may “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45; emphasis added). I testify that the Lord is hastening His work, and it is imperative for us to understand how the Lord accomplishes His work so that we may receive the power that comes from being aligned with His plan and purposes.The Lord has always accomplished His work, which is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39), through the power of His priesthood. By it the heavens and earth were created. Through priesthood ordinances, the effects of the Fall can be overcome because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because the authority of the priesthood is entrusted to man to bless Heavenly Father’s children, He wants us to invite the power of the priesthood into our homes to bless and strengthen our families and our individual lives.In the 2013 worldwide leadership training, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphatically stated: “Men are not the priesthood!”1 To me, that was a wake-up call as well as an invitation to all of us to study, ponder, and come to better understand the priesthood. If someone, perhaps a child or a friend who is a member of another faith, asked you the following questions, could you give an answer?•What is the priesthood?•Why is the priesthood so important?•What are the keys of the priesthood?•Who holds priesthood keys?
Stone holm Posted June 5, 2014 Posted June 5, 2014 In the June Ensign priesthood power is discussed: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/06/priesthood-power-available-to-all?lang=eng Priesthood authority is conferred by ordination, but priesthood power is available to all. Righteousness is the qualifier for each of us to invite priesthood power into our lives.We are privileged to live in this season of Church history when questions are being asked about the priesthood. There is great interest and desire to know and understand more about the authority, power, and blessings associated with the priesthood of God. It is my hope that the doctrine of the priesthood may “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45; emphasis added). I testify that the Lord is hastening His work, and it is imperative for us to understand how the Lord accomplishes His work so that we may receive the power that comes from being aligned with His plan and purposes.The Lord has always accomplished His work, which is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39), through the power of His priesthood. By it the heavens and earth were created. Through priesthood ordinances, the effects of the Fall can be overcome because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because the authority of the priesthood is entrusted to man to bless Heavenly Father’s children, He wants us to invite the power of the priesthood into our homes to bless and strengthen our families and our individual lives.In the 2013 worldwide leadership training, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphatically stated: “Men are not the priesthood!”1 To me, that was a wake-up call as well as an invitation to all of us to study, ponder, and come to better understand the priesthood. If someone, perhaps a child or a friend who is a member of another faith, asked you the following questions, could you give an answer?•What is the priesthood?•Why is the priesthood so important?•What are the keys of the priesthood?•Who holds priesthood keys?You ever heard the song about someone taking the keys to the T bird away? You can dice references to the Priesthood up anyway you like, but it boils down to the notion that ultimately God has men call the shots. If you are completely comfortable with that notion as to what God has in mind and that is His permanent desire, then just say so and not play semantical games.
Duncan Posted June 5, 2014 Author Posted June 5, 2014 You ever heard the song about someone taking the keys to the T bird away? You can dice references to the Priesthood up anyway you like, but it boils down to the notion that ultimately God has men call the shots. If you are completely comfortable with that notion as to what God has in mind and that is His permanent desire, then just say so and not play semantical games. God calls the shots
Stone holm Posted June 5, 2014 Posted June 5, 2014 God calls the shotsThat surely is not in question. The question is He irrevocably bound to call those shots through men?
Thinking Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 I am reminded of a scripture in the Doctrine & Covenants. "But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten. Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me; (D&C 29:46-47) Who gives Satan the power to tempt children/people when they do become accountable before God?
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