The first time that I heard President Russell M. Nelson speak as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was impressed.
I mean, he has always been a great speaker.
But there was something different about how he spoke now.
I could feel this spiritual power behind the words that he said.
A friend reminded me that what I was noticing was the mantle of his calling which gave him new authority to speak and prophesy to the entire world.
After Jesus gave His beautiful Sermon on the Mount, the people listening to Him were astonished because He taught with authority.
“For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:29)
I’m not the prophet, and I’m certainly not Jesus.
But can I speak with authority, too?
I’ve spent a lot of time recently pondering on and studying about priesthood power.
What is priesthood power?
And how can I access more of that priesthood power— God’s holy power— in my own life?
The Church General Handbook says:
“God’s priesthood power flows to all members of the Church —female and male —as they keep the covenants they have made with Him.”
Priesthood power comes through covenants.
So accessing priesthood power means actively keeping my covenants.
What can I do with my priesthood power?
I can act with authority in my callings at church, within my home, and when seeking revelation for my own life.
Covenant keepers have access to priesthood power.
It’s an area I’ve been living below my means in, and I’m ready to step up and humbly claim the power that God is already willing to allow me to use in order to speak and act with authority when it comes to those I have stewardship over.
And in my own small but confident way, I can also speak with a new level of power and authority because I am keeping covenants.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
