Sunday Report

Dear Sisters,

Today's lesson given by Sharon Pringle was Chapter 13, "The Priesthood". The priesthood is the eternal power amd authority of God by which He created and governs the heavens and the earth, keeping it in perfect order. It is the power He uses to accomplish His work and His glory: bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Delegated priesthood authority enables worthy male members of the Church to act in God's name for the salvation of the human family. Necessary sacred ordinances of the gospel are performed by priesthood authority. The priesthood enables worthy men to preside in the Church and to direct the work of the Church in all parts of the world. Priesthood authority allows the Prophet of the Church to act as the spokesman for God to all the world. The priesthood is given to His sons on the earth through the authorization of those who hold the keys for ordaining to specific offices in the priesthood. It cannot be bought or sold nor taken upon one's self. Priesthood power is always used to bless the lives of others through love and kindness. The power can only be controlled in righteousness. Though a priesthood holder cannot use his priesthood power to bless himself, by using his power to bless others, he will receive great blessings in his own life.(D&C 121:45-46) In April Conference, President Boyd K. Packer spoke of the need to firmly fixed in the families of the Church the power of the priesthood, which means that the sisters in the Church need to understand what is expected of the brethren who hold the priesthood in this time of great evil and sin and vice where all must be engaged in saving the souls of men ,women and children. Mothers, daughters, wives and sisters all have great influence on those righteous men who bear the priesthood of God. They have the authority of God, but that alone is not enough. We must all work together to help these brethren carry with them the power of the priesthood to strengthen families, bless lives and spread the gospel. He said, "We must go forward, confident of the supernal power of the priesthood. It is a source of strength and encouragement to know who we are and what we have what we must do in the work of the Almighty." The priesthood has the ultimate purpose of perfection of the individual and the family.

Next Week Chapter 14, "Priesthood Organization" will be given by Traci Cline

Thank you for all you do in your callings to serve others, and in your families to encourage priesthood holders to gain the power of the priesthood through its righteous use.

The Relief Society Presidency