The Holy Priesthood of God

Good afternoon dear brothers and sisters. It is a great privilege to hold the holy priesthood of God.

This year we commemorate the 175th year of the restoration of the holy priesthood of God on the earth. One hundred and seventy five years ago, John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ came down to Earth and appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to bestow upon them the holy priesthood of God which is the Aaronic Priesthood. Next, the apostles Peter, James and John appeared to the two young men, Joseph and Oliver to confer to them the higher priesthood which is called Melchizedec Priesthood.

There are times when I often wonder if we really appreciate what this holy priesthood means to us in our lives as members of this church.

Today, I would like to tell you the importance of these two Priesthoods. The Priesthood is the authority given by God to men to act in his name. The Lord taught that it was important that this authority should be restored in order for his Church to be re-established on the earth again.

I was twenty-four years old when I joined the Church. The following Sunday after my baptism I was ordained by my Bishop in the office of the Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. I feel so blessed that as young as I am, I was holding the power of God to act in his name which priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.

After a few months, I was interviewed of my worthiness for my ordination to the higher priesthood. Then, in the Stake Conference I was sustained and ordained in the office of an Elder in the Holy Melchizedec Priesthood. I was deeply touched by the revelation given in 33rd verse of the 84th section the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining of these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying of their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies …

This is a great promise to me. I have to be faithful and magnify my calling as the Lord would have me do it. I know that I am a spirit child of God and I have the potential to be like Him. He has given me a wonderful gift while still here of the earth – and that is the power to act in His name.

As a father I should show to my family that I love God, and that I should love, kindness and respect to my wife, and my children. I know that if all the priesthood brethren would do this, what a great influence we could be to others.

As a priesthood holder I should keep the Sabbath day holy. I should keep the Word of Wisdom strictly. I should pray always, and be honest in my dealings with my fellowmen. I should study the gospel. I should know what is expected of me, and as a spirit child of God, I must keep myself morally clean.

As a priesthood of God I know that it is very important that I should help myself to set and to reach higher goals in life. I understand that Satan is here and he is real, and is highly determined to destroy me, to discourage me, to tempt me, and to lead me astray.

As a priesthood leader of this church, I am truly humbled to be given the authority to serve the spiritual needs of the members of this branch. This is a great branch, a great brotherhood and sisterhood can be seen in this church. I am greatly honored to share with you the blessings of the holy priesthood of God.

As I sit down with you each Sunday and to listen and counsel with you, I feel greatly humbled in representing the Lord in filling up your spiritual needs. I know that the Lord has many more things for me to do in this life. With the power of the priesthood I know that I can stand the test.

May the Lord help us to appreciate who we are and to live accordingly, realizing that we hold the priesthood of God in the Church of Jesus Christ, the only men in the world who hold the authority to speak in God’s name. The success and progress of this church depend on us as individuals who hold the priesthood. May we prove worthy.