If the priesthood is “The Power of Godliness,” and if we are to learn how to use that power, we should probably think a lot about what the word “power” means in this context. Most of the time power is associated with the ability to control things, often including people and usually by force. But the scriptures are clear that whatever the word “power” means, it is used “only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41). I don’t see control and force in that description.

What is hard to understand in section 121’s description of power, at least for the understanding of most humans, is how it can lead to things like the creation of the universe. If we are to become creators, following our Heavenly Parents, we have a lot to learn about how to exercise the priesthood (that is, the power of godliness). We must go beyond learning persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness and love unfeigned, to learning how these are power.

 

I have access to God’s priesthood power and blessings.

In order to develop our abilities to use this priesthood power, we need to have access to it. We need to be able to practice its use. Fortunately, we have been given that access to some extent, although our access is limited by what priesthood we are given, by our and righteousness, and by our understanding of what our limits are—it may be that our understanding of how to use the priesthood limits us more than any actual limitations God has placed on us.

In the following poem, Joseph L. Townsend, author of 10 hymns in the current hymnal, including “Choose the Right,” explores what the priesthood is and how we access it. He also suggests something about its role in our lives.

 

Priesthood

by Joseph L. Townsend

What is priesthood? ‘Tis an order,

Both for earth and heaven above,

Organized of men and angels,

As a ministry of love;

A society most holy,

Living through eternity;

From eternal ages coming

And eternal yet to be.

Ever has this holy order

Through all ages labored on

To secure mankind’s salvation

In the Gospel of the Son!

Saints on earth in their probation,

Spirits gone beyond the grave,

Resurrected souls in Heaven,

All attest it’s power to save.

For a time this holy priesthood

God withdrew from mortal eyes,

Leaving it with those appointed

Ministers in Paradise;

Unto earth God sent these angels,

Priesthood gave to chosen men;

Now the order is united

Here on earth with Heaven again.

Not alone the soul’s salvation

Does this order offer now;

Knowledge of our God it brings us,

Writes His name upon each brow;

Fills the mind with aspirations;

Swells the heart with great desires;

While, to Heaven’s highest glory,

In this priesthood, man aspires!

Through this priesthood, powers of Heaven

Delegated here to man,

Worked in miracles of knowledge

Since this aged world began.

By it Enoch built his Zion;

Noah was guided o’er the wave;

And the Pyramid was fashioned,

Ancient sciences to save.

Ask the martyr: What is priesthood?

Hear him tell with dying breath-

“‘Tis the power of God’s salvation,

Giving victory over death!”

By it he has made his calling

And election doubly sure;

And before he will deny it,

Even death he will endure!

1888

 

The priesthood is obtained with an oath and covenant.

Section 84 is most known for the oath and covenant of the priesthood, which is more about our relationship with the priesthood than it is any description of what the priesthood is or how it works. Mostly, we obtain the priesthood, learn the principles behind it, and practice using the priesthood.

Focusing on the young boy growing into his responsibilities, Henry W. Naisbitt suggests that each of us grow into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. Naisbitt is one of the more dynamic characters of late-19th century Mormon poetry. Not only was he a prolific poet, he also collected the earliest compilation of poetry by LDS women, which is still buried in a library.

 

Only a Boy

by Henry W. Naisbitt

Only a boy: ’twas faintly said,

As the nurse bent over the stranger guest;

Only a boy, who nestled and fed,

Then slept unconsciously near the breast.

Boys, had been plenty, as years flew by,

Coming at intervals into that home;

Did disappointment moisten the eye,

Because girl babies elsewhere would roam?

Only a boy: but after-thought,

Gave to the mother its stirring power,

And kneeling beside the sire, she sought

For heavenly wisdom for human hour.

Before the Saints, with a throbbing heart,

Was dedicated the growing lad;

“Amens” went out with unwonted start,

As faith in promise each heart made glad.

Only a boy: he grew apace,

Obedient, earnest beyond his years;

Sunshine gave glow to his fair young face,

And Hope’s bright bow if suffused by tears.

Often he knelt of his own free will-

God worked with him, as manhood swelled;

Surely the angels kept him from ill,

And childhood’s prophecy far excelled.

Only a boy: when was conferred

The Priesthood, which by covenant came,

That power which hath the nations stirred

And giveth unasked its deathless name.

See, as from home without money he goes,

The humble preacher of Gospel truth;

Grand in example he faithful shows

The wisdom of age in strength of youth.

Only a boy: yet many will list,

The message they have from ‘yond the sky,

That which in reconciliation kissed

The sons of Adam from sin’s deep dye.

A stripling-yet as a giant-he

Walks o’er earth as of heaven sustained;

And thousands redeemed from o’er the sea,

Praise God for-only a boy-once named.

Only a boy: yet widening path,

And grander circles give keys of power;

Celestial order his practice hath,

For in posterity there is dower.

As stars or sand were Abraham’s seed,

The works he did will his children do;

‘Till kingdoms and thrones, ’till powers indeed,

Shall tell of the hosts who in homage bow.

Only a boy: yet far and and wide,

His influence lured his race to-night;

Only a boy, yet trusted and tried,

A faithful soldier in every fight.

When filled with years he was laid to rest;

Tears fell thick as the summer’s rain;

He found a glad welcome amid the blest,

And “only a boy” as a king doth reign.

Only a boy: let the “only” pass,

It savors of fault with decrees divine,

Fatherhood, motherhood, e’er should glass

The image which highest above doth shine.

Little as some may the advent prize,

Of “only a boy” on this fallen sphere,

He’s not of the earth, but a prince in disguise,

Incog in his travels-a stranger here.

1884

 

Living by the word of God brings light and truth into my life.

We learn in this live by experience. We can be taught everything in theory, but we learn by putting into practice. The learning model practiced in our schools can easily deceive us into thinking that learning happens in a classroom or from books, through the mere communication of facts. But this life is about gaining experiences, because real learning happens from those experiences.

’Zion’s Poetess,’ Eliza R. Snow, often mused philosophically in her poems, especially her longer poems. The following musing on the priesthood recounts a visitation from ‘the Priesthood,’ and in this visitation she is told about the relationship between priesthood and man—how humankind learns from its experiences in this life. Particularly notable are the parts focusing on the presence of evil on this earth and how at the end of this visitation her understanding is expanded to see how we learn through experience.

 

Instructions of the Priesthood

by Eliza R. Snow

The sun was set, and twilight’s shady mood

Spread a brown halo, ting’d with solitude.

As day’s last glimmer flitted down the west

Life’s stirring scenes demurely sunk to rest—

Soft silence lent its contemplative charm,

And all conspir’d the mental pulse to warm—

From world to world imagination wander’d

While thought, the present, past, and future ponder’d.

 

As I was musing with desire intense

That some kind guardian angel might dispense

Instruction: lo! a seraph form appear’d—

His look—his voice my anxious spirit cheer’d.

It was the Priesthood—that which held the key

T’ unlock the portals of eternity:

And with o’erflowing heart I took my seat

An enter’d student at th’ Instructor’s feet.

 

“What wouldst thou me?” the seraph gently said:

“Tell me—and wherefore hast thou sought my aid?”

 

I then replied, long, long I’ve wished to know

What is the cause of suff’ring here below—

What the result of human life will be—

Its ultimatum in eternity.

 

With firm, attentive mind—with list’ning ear

I watch’d and waited ev’ry word to hear,

As thus he said: “Tis not for you to pry

Into the secrets of the worlds on high—

To understand the first, the moving cause—

Councils, decrees, organizations, laws,

Form’d by the Gods pertaining to this earth

Ere your great Father from their courts came forth,

The routine of his ancestors to tread—

Of this new world to stand the royal head.

But then the more immediate cause of this

World’s degradation, and its wretchedness,

Is disobedience: sorrow, toil and pain,

With their associates follow in its train.

 

This life’s an ordeal, and design’d to prove

Fraternal kindness and parental love.

This earth’s your Father’s workshop: what is done—

All that’s attain’d, and what achievements won

Is for the parents—all things are their own—

The children now hold nothing but by loan.

Whatever some may claim in proud pretence;

No one has yet obtain’d inheritance—

E’en Abraham has no possession gained

Of what, in promise, he thro’ faith obtain’d;

And all that greedy hands accumulate

Is yet the Father’s, not the child’s estate.

 

Then shame, O shame on all the strife you see

Here, in the cradle of life’s nursery—

The green-eyed jealousies—the frosty hate

Which carnal, avaricious thoughts create!

How vain that phantom of mortality—

Th’ untimely form of human dignity!

’Tis soon enough for infant lips to talk

Of pow’r and greatness, when they’ve strength to walk—

’Tis soon enough for children to be great,

When they can boast of self-possess’d estate.

 

It will not matter whatsoever’s gain’d

Or what on earth, may seem to be obtain’d;

But ’tis important that each one prepare

To be with Christ a joint—an equal heir:

Faith and obedience and integrity

Will the grand test of future heirship be.

It matters not what station here, you fill,

If true and faithful to the Father’s will:

As you prepare yourself on earth, will be

Your place—your portion in eternity.

 

As disobedience fill’d the world with pain,

Obedience will restore it back again.

The base perversions of my pow’rs produce

All the strong engines, satan has in use,

And qualify the sons of men to dwell

With his dark majesty, the prince of hell.

All that obey the pow’rs of darkness, go

With those they follow, to the world below.

Then list to me—my precepts all obey;

The Gods have sent me in this latter day

Fully commission’d upward all to lead

Who will my counsels and instructions heed—

Who seek in ev’ry circumstance and place

To benefit and bless their fellow race—

Who seek their Father’s interests to enhance;

His glorious cause upon the earth advance:

Whether below, they much or little claim;

If they exalt and magnify His name,

And in His service labor faithfully,

They’ll have a fulness of his legacy.

Each faithful saint is an acknowledg’d heir,

And as his diligence, will be his share

When God, a patrimony shall bestow

Upon his sons and daughters here below.

 

Adam, your God, like you on earth has been

Subject to sorrow in a world of sin:

Thro’ long gradation he arose to be

Cloth’d with the Godhead’s might and majesty.

And what to him in his probative sphere,

Whether a bishop, deacon, priest, or seer?

Whether his offices and callings were,

He magnified them with assiduous care;

And by obedience he obtain’d the place

Of God and father of this human race.

 

Obedience will the same bright garland weave

As it has done for your great mother, Eve,

For all her daughters on the earth, who will

All my requirements sacredly fulfil.

And what to Eve, tho’ in her mortal life

She’d been the first, the tenth, or fiftieth wife?

What did she care when in her lowest state,

Whether by fools, consider’d small or great?

’Twas all the same to her—she prov’d her worth—

She’s now the Goddess and the queen of earth.

 

Life’s ultimatum unto those that live

As saints of God, and all my pow’rs receive,

Is still the onward, upward course to tread—

To stand as Adam and as Eve, the head

Of an inheritance, a new-formed earth,

And to a spirit race give mortal birth—

Give them experience in a world like this,

Then lead them forth to everlasting bliss,

Cloth’d with salvation and eternal joy,

Where high perfection dwells without alloy.”

 

Thus said the seraph:—Sacred in my heart

I cherish all his precious words impart;

And humbly pray I ever may, as now,

With holy def’rence in his presence bow.

 

The field of thought, he open’d to my view,

My wonder rous’d and admiration too:

I marvel’d at the silly childishness

Of saints, the heirs of everlasting bliss—

The candidates for Godheads and for worlds

As time on time eternities unfurls.

I felt my littleness, and thought, henceforth

I’ll be, myself, the humblest saint on earth;

And all that God shall to my care assign

I’ll recognize and use as his, not mine,

Wherever he assigns to me a place

That will I seek with diligence to grace;

And for my parents, wheresoe’er my lot,

To work with all my might, and murmur not,

I’ll seek their highest int’rest, till they come

And as a faithful daughter, take me home.

 

As thus I mused, the lovely queen of night

’Neath heav’n’s blue canopy, diffus’d her light;

Still brighter beams o’er earth’s horizon play—

A cheering prelude to approaching day,

When truth’s full glory will o’erspread the skies

And the bright “Sun of Righteousness arise.”

1855

 

The Lord will be with me when I am in His service.

Since learning about the power of godliness is an experiential process, having the support of the Lord in so doing seems useful, if not necessary. We might feel peace of mind in knowing that He is with us. Indeed, as this poem suggests, “If we’re prompt to do whatever / Duty claims our service here; / We may calmly rest, and never / Need indulge in idle fear.”

While Eliza R. Snow’s longer poems were often philosophical, her shorter poems were often advice to friends, if not condolences or felicitations for some life event. In this case she offers advice in one of the many personal albums kept by friends and acquaintances. Her advice here is simple: when in the service of God you have peace of mind.

 

Lines for Mrs. Wooley’s Album

by Eliza R. Snow

Lady were it mine to bless you

With the purest, sweetest joys

Nought on earth should dispossess you

Of one gift that never cloys.

 

Be thou blest, and blest forever

With what few perchance to find,

From your breast, let nothing sever

Heav’n’s best jewel, peace of mind.

 

Hold your feelings in subjection

To your judg’ment’s better sway:

Proud to yield to the direction

Of the lord whom you obey.

 

Noble are the condescensions

Which superior spirits make:

Thus they widen their dimensions,

And of purer joys partake.

 

If we’re prompt to do whatever

Duty claims our service here;

We may calmly rest, and never

Need indulge in idle fear.

 

For His holy approbation

God our Father will bestow;

And the streams of consolation

Sweetly to our bosoms flow.

 

May your influence wise and cheering

Wider and more widely spread,

Till ten thousand hearts endearing

Pour their blessings on your head.

 

Be thou blest and blest forever

With that gem the upright find;

Guard it well—let nothing sever

From your bosom, peace of mind.

1847

 

Everyone can contribute to the work of God.

In a culture like ours, where callings to serve in Church are common and expected, the idea that everyone can contribute seems obvious. I suspect that it wasn’t always so—coming from other religious traditions where clergy were paid to do much of the work, many of the early Saints must have had to adjust to a new model.

Perhaps it was the trek to the west that instilled in LDS culture the expectation that everyone contributes. Certainly during the trek everyone had to contribute to make sure they all made it to the valley. In the following poem John Jaques prays for the Saints crossing the plains, and while many of the things he lists don’t resonate today, certainly the idea towards the end, that everyone will “Contribute to uprear, to thy Great Name, / The Mountain Temple’s spire…”

 

Prayer for the Saints in Camp

by John Jaques

Almighty God our Father in the heavens,

Who led forth Abraham to a land unknown,

A promised heritage to him and his;

And from the clime of slaves and bondage sore,

Brought forth thine ancient people Israel,

With mighty purpose and outstretched arm,

Declared in miracles by sea and land,

And did bestow the cloudy shade by day,

And pillared fire by night; O now look down,

With tender, watchful, providential care,

Upon thy gathering thousands now encamped

On western plains, with hearts and face set

As flints toward Zion. Let thy Saints now prove

Thou art the same to day as yesterday;

And wheresoever thou art truly sought,

Thou pourest out thy blessings measureless.

Preserve thine Israel’s camp from sickness’ power.

And fell disease and death let not come near.

Let not the taint of foul apostacy

Canker their souls, and turn them from the rod––

The iron rod––the Priesthood’s influence;

But save them, Lord, from the Destroyer’s snare;

Their cattle bless, giving them fitting strength.

At eve-tide, when the curling smoke ascends,

O may the cheerful songs of Zion rise,

Bespeaking heartfelt gratitude and joy.

When darkness veils the earth, and all around

Is locked in calm and soft repose, except

The outcast, crafty, prowling Indian,

O then preserve thy Saints from every harm,

Then look upon the wandering Lamanites,

Those tribes, though now degenerate, yet in truth,

The remnants of a once delightsome race,

And heirs of future Priestly promises;

And may thy Spirit’s latent influence

Touch their rude hearts with secret softening power,

Disposing them to acts of friendship fair,

And tender favour towards thy homebound Saints.

And lastly, may these Saints reach Zion’s vales

In peace and safety, and such welcome meet

As shall for ever banish from their minds

Regret of labours, trials, dangers, past.

And with thy Saints now there, may these we pray,

Contribute to uprear, to thy Great Name,

The Mountain Temple’s spire, whose saving courts

Shall soon be thronged with Saints from every clime,

Filling the nations of the earth with fear

And dread of Zion, of her righteous laws,

Her Holy Priesthood, and her glorious

1853