Priesthood Power

The priesthood is not a topic I normally study but in October of 2019 when President Nelson entreated all the women of the church to study the topic of priesthood power, he suggested that we start with sections 84 and 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants.(Spiritual Treasures) As I studied D&C 84 this week, I again felt compelled to answer that call from our prophet to prayerfully study the priesthood and strive to increase my understanding of the doctrine of the priesthood.

My mind wants to go on vacation when I try to understand the doctrine of the priesthood. Trying to keep all the terminology straight (i.e. ordinances, covenants, ordination, authority, offices, keys, etc...) gets confusing to me real quick. As I tried working through all the confusion again this week, I was finally rewarded with some deeper understanding. That understanding came as I listened to a podcast called Unshaken Saints. The host shared a chart he created to help his listeners understand the differences between the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. I found this visual most helpful in increasing my understanding for the purpose behind the two priesthoods. I'll try to re-create this chart with the items that were most helpful to me.

Aaronic Priesthood	Melchizedek Priesthood
Lesser (v 26) deals with the temporal affairs of the church letter of the law (rules) (v 26)       ministering of angels (v 26, 42)   telestial to terrestial way of living elimination of sin (v 26) ordinances of preparation (v 26) change our status overcoming sins of commission justification    sacrifice      outward actions            tabernacle   Aaron (v 30)  John the Baptist (v 27)	Greater (v 19) deals with the spiritual affairs of the church spirit of the law (principles)  presence of God (v 22) terrestial to celestial way of living introduction to God (v 22) ordinances of coming into gods presence change our nature overcoming sins of omission sanctification (v 33) consecration inward attributes temple Moses (v 6)  Jesus Christ

The handbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints states that "Through the priesthood, Heavenly Father accomplishes His work 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39). God grants authority and power to His sons and daughters on earth to help carry out this work". (Handbook 3.0). I like how this chart emphasizes a way of living. It allows us to see if we are living up to our priesthood privileges or not, regardless of our gender. If we are living true and faithful to these covenants, the promises that await us are; sanctification, renewal of our bodies, becoming the seed of Abraham and the elect of God, and receiving all that the Father hath (v 33-38). Pres. Nelson adds "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." (Spiritual Treasures, Oct 2019). Those are some pretty powerful promises!