The Blessings of the Priesthood.

Joseph Smith receives the Melchizedek Priesthood
(LDS Church)

As Joseph Smith was translating The Book of Mormon he read something about
Baptism. It made him want to  know more about the ordinance of baptism. On May 15, 1829 Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went to a spot near the Susquehanna River to pray. They then had John the Baptist visit them. He restored the Aaronic priesthood back on the earth. Later that Month, Peter, James and John Visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowder and restored the Melchizedek  priesthood back on the earth.

Because of that miraculous event 186 years ago we are so blessed in this day to have the fullness of the Gospel, which blesses us with the priesthood. The priesthood allows us to heal the sick, perform the saving ordinances for both the living and the dead. It allows us to partake of the Sacrament each and every week. This week, I want to talk about some blessings that come to us because of the priesthood. Elder Robert D. Hales gave an amazing talk entitled "Blessings of the Priesthood" in General Conference of October 1995.  There are so many things he talks about. I would encourage each of you to take a few minutes and study his talk. He talks about how the blessings are available to all. This first quote is so powerful. As

you read this quote think about how the priesthood has blessed you personally and how life would be different if we did not have the priesthood on the earth.

"If the power of the priesthood were not upon the earth, the adversary would have freedom to roam and reign without restraint. There would be no gift of the Holy Ghost to direct and enlighten us; no prophets to speak in the name of the Lord; no temples where we could make sacred, eternal covenants; no authority to bless or baptize, to heal or comfort. Without the power of the priesthood, “the whole earth would be utterly wasted” (see D&C 2:1–3; D&C 2:1–3). There would be no light, no hope—only darkness." (The Blessings of the Priesthood, October 1995)

 We are all so blessed; the blessings of the priesthood are available to all men, women, and children.

Missionary work is established because of the priesthood. Missionaries are called by revelation though the holy priesthood. Elder Hales also said this about missionary work and the priesthood:

"The young man or young woman may be set apart as a full-time missionary and serve under the priesthood direction of a mission president, sharing a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ with all who will listen. Through the blessings of service and sacrifice, they experience a humbling change of heart that allows them to discern the difference between the tendency of taking in the world in contrast to the giving of the kingdom of God. Then, having established a pattern of giving, they give Church and community service throughout their lives, while at the same time being blessed by the service of others." (The Blessings of the Priesthood, October 1995)

The priesthood is the reason why missionary work is so successful. It is directed by the power and authority of the Holy priesthood.

As I've been home, I've personally relied on the priesthood. I've been blessed to have received many priesthood blessings. The priesthood allows us to receive blessings of both healing and comfort.   The power that comes for a priesthood blessing is incredible. The provide the direction and council you are seeking. They help you feel the love of Our Heavenly Father. They do heal the sick, according to the will of Heavenly father.  The priesthood is a Real, Its a blessings to have a Father who is worthy to hold and exercise the priesthood, at anytime and in any place. It has helped me out so much as I've been home. Ask for a cherish priesthood blessings. The priesthood is available to bless each and everyone of us.

(Source: LDS Church)

The Temple blessings are made available because of the priesthood. These blessings allow us to live with our families forever though the sealing ordinance by the power of the Priesthood. The ordinances that happen in the temple are sacred and provide a protection, again available because of the priesthood. Elder Hales said this about the temple:

"The greatest of priesthood blessings available are found in the temple. There, they get a glimpse of heaven. In that holy place, although they are in the world, they are not of the world. In the temple, they see themselves as the offspring of royalty—as a son or a daughter of God. The joys of eternity, which can seem so distant outside the temple, suddenly seem within reach"

The Temple is the house of god. Where His work is accomplished.  It is where the sealing ordinance takes place. It is How we can return to live with God again.

As Elder Hales was closing his talk, he said:

"My brothers and sisters, I have witnessed the remarkable power of the priesthood to lift and bless, to heal and comfort, to strengthen and empower men, women, and children throughout the world. With all the sincerity of my heart, I desire to see the blessings of the priesthood be made accessible to all.
You brethren who have the priesthood—magnify it. You who have had the priesthood but have allowed it to lie dormant—reactivate it. You brethren who have never had it—seek diligently to obtain it. And may all of us seek more earnestly to receive and share the blessings of the priesthood, bringing the powers of heaven more fully into our lives and into the lives of our loved ones." (The Blessings of the Priesthood, October 1995)

 If you hold the priesthood, God has trusted you with it. How will you use it?  It goes everywhere with you. How will you direct your thoughts are places you go, because you hold the sacred and special priesthood. How will you share the gift? The blessings of the priesthood are available to all though you.

The priesthood is available to all. The Priesthood has been restored. The priesthood is the power and authority of God. It is the same priesthood Jesus Christ has. It is how He was able to perform miracles and heal the sick.

Jesus Christ Gave his Apostles the Holy Priesthood
(Source: LDS Church)

Life is grand

Holy smokes people! I've seriously been neglecting this blog  :/ on a good note, I've been buisy. It's 10:45 on Friday night and I'm finally getting around to do a little blog post. It's crazy how fast time goes and how chaotic life can get, but yet the Lord is still in the details of our lives. He shows us he still cares and is aware through tender mercies. 

Tender mercies have been on my mind a lot the last few weeks, as I've had several diffident expieiences and blessings. When trials come we will always be able to see blessings in the end. Trials can get hard, but the Lord will never leave us. Sometimes, he will give us little blessings,more tender mercies, to show us that He still is ware of us and most importantly that He still cares. 

There are many ways he can do it, but most of the time it is through someone else. Whether it is someone spelling you something you needed to hear, reading something in a conference address or the scriptures. Maybe it's an answered pray to find a job, or know what to do with your life. Maybe things are just falling into place and you cannot explaine why the things happen they way they do. 

For example, as many of you know, that my mom, grandpa and I took a spontaneous trip back east to 

Visit DC. What many of you many not know, is why we took the trip. We went to meet with with our senators and congressmen. We had three appointments with we left Utah, one of with was with the actual senator, Mike Lee.  The meetings were all scheduled for Thursday. But, we had a meeting on Wednesday in DC as well with other people from the company we are working with to get work visas. We only had one meeting on Wednesday and no appotiments with leaders. We decided that we would go and stop by all the offices of the represanrives from Utah and see if there was any way we could meet with someone. We went to all their offices, but the people that are in charge of immigration were all out of the office. They gave us their emails, so we sent a mass email to all them and said we are available from 12-5 pm, and we would like to meet with you sometime during that time. Miraculously they each individually emailed back with a time, not conflicting with any other appotiments. Only the lord could have done that. 

Look for the little tender mercies throughout each and every day. You will see just how much the Lord is in your life.