April 2005 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

60
Prayerfully select and read
from this message the scriptures
and teachings that meet
the needs of the sisters you visit. Share
your experiences and testimony.
Invite those you teach to do the same.
Joseph Smith—History 1:69:
“Upon you my fellow servants, in
the name of Messiah, I confer the
Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the
keys of the ministering of angels, and
of the gospel of repentance, and of
baptism by immersion for the remission
of sins.”
How Have You Felt the Joy
of the Restored Priesthood?
President Joseph F. Smith
(1838–1918): “Let us rejoice in
the truth, in the restoration of the
Priesthood—that power delegated
to man, by virtue of which the Lord
sanctions in the heavens what man
does upon the earth” (Gospel
Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 441).
President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“I thank my Eternal Father for the
restoration of the holy priesthood.
. ..I have seen the beauty and wonder
of that priesthood in the governance
of this remarkable church. I
have felt its power flow through me
to the blessing and the healing of the
sick. I have seen the ennoblement it
has given to humble men who have
VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE
Rejoice in the Restoration of the
Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
been called to great and serious
responsibility. I have seen it as they
have spoken with power and authority
from on high” (“My Testimony,”
Ensign, Nov. 1993, 52).
President Heber J. Grant (1856–
1945): “Every gift, every grace, every
power and every endowment that
came through the holy Priesthood of
the living God in the days of the Savior
are enjoyed today. I rejoice in knowing
that . . . the blessings, the healing
power of Almighty God, the
inspiration of His Spirit
whereby men and
women have manifestations
from Him
. . . are enjoyed
today by the Latterday
Saints” (Teachings
of Presidents of the
Church: Heber J. Grant [2002], 103).
How Can You Access the Power
and Keys of the Priesthood?
D&C 84:19–20: “This greater
[Melchizedek] priesthood administereth
the gospel and holdeth the key
of the mysteries of the kingdom, even
the key of the knowledge of God.
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof,
the power of godliness is manifest.”
Elder Robert D. Hales of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“The priesthood of God gives light to
his children in this dark and troubled
world. Through priesthood power, we
can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
to lead us to truth, testimony, and revelation.
This gift is available on an
equal basis to men, women, and children”
(“Blessings of the Priesthood,”
Ensign, Nov. 1995, 32).
Coleen K. Menlove, Primary general
president: “Righteous priesthood leaders
have the authority and power to
govern and bless the Lord’s people. . . .
We have the opportunity to be women
whose ears are attuned to the words of
prophets and other priesthood leaders
as if they are from the Lord Himself.
Let us rejoice in the opportunities
we have as sisters in Zion to assist
priesthood leaders in the work of
bringing families unto Christ”
(“Joining in the Mighty
Work of God,” Ensign,
Oct. 2002, 46, 49). ■
THE RESTORATION OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, BY KENNETH RILEY; INSET: PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE BUNDERSON, POSED BY MODELS