Sunday Report

This was a fifth Sunday and the Relief Society and the Priesthood met together to consider a talk from General Conference by Boyd K. Packer entitled The Power of the Priesthood. Brother Toomey led the presentation of the talk which began by pointing out that the correlation project, by which the curriculum and organizations of the Church were revamped under the direction of President Harold B. Lee was based on the inspiration and revelation of the Lord, and built upon the key concept of priesthood as the underlying principle. We have lived for many decades in a world in commotion under the influence of Satan who seeks to destroy all that is good and righteous. Through the correlation program the Church sought to strengthen the support it gives to the families of the Church, that within those families the Priesthood might be exercised and the power might be used to unify and edify and educate the rising generation of those who will bear that authority which was restored to the earth in the latter days through the prophet of the restoration, to do the work of spreading the gospel to all the world, that all might be influenced by the gospel, though the numbers that accept and magnify that gospel will be admittedly small compared with the vast numbers of people on the earth. The authority of the priesthood is conferred upon worthy men by those holding the keys to do so, but the power of the priesthood is an individual matter, coming through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants and is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness. As sisters it is crucial that we understand what is required of the brethren so that they will be able to use their authority to bless the lives around them and unleash the power that has been given to allow them to protect and strengthen families in these perilous times, as well as fulfill the commission to give all the world the opportunity to come to a knowledge of the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We as women carry great influence over those men in our families who have been given the authority of the priesthood. By encouraging them to use that authority in righteousness to bless the lives of others we will help them unleash the power that underlies that authority. Husbands, fathers and sons can better magnify their priesthood with the help of supportive women who desire the blessings that come only from the priesthood.