Priesthood Power

Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-36 is today's scripture mastery.  It teaches us a little more about the priesthood power of God:

 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

 35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

 36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

In short, any man who holds the priesthood cannot exercise the priesthood if he is not righteous.  Verses 37-40 give us much more detail on that:

 37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

 38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

 39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

 40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

The rest of the chapter tells us the only way to use the priesthood effectively (verses 41-46), as well as the blessings we have been promised if we do it the right way:

 41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

 42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

 43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

 44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

Basically, if we want to use the Lord's priesthood--we must emulate Him.  We must not use the priesthood to make us think we are better than or more deserving than others in any way.  Instead, we must do as Christ did through His whole earthly ministry--we must do the Father's will.  We must put aside our own will, and use the priesthood to bless the lives of those around us.  We must bless those in need, and help and bless the sick and the afflicted.  The priesthood is given to us that we can learn to serve as Christ served.  It is given so that we can help those in need (and we all know that there are many in need all around us. . .)