MY VOICE
I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My testimony has come through many hours of study and prayer, and I have felt it burn within my own heart. I do not pretend to know and understand all things; however, because I have a testimony of this Gospel, and because I know it to be true--I do understand a few basic principles.
One fundamental belief is that just like in biblical times, God has called a prophet to lead and guide his church. In today's world, many people feel that the heaven's are closed, and that we must face this perilous world alone. However, as Latter-day Saints, we know that God "communicates to the Church through his prophet...a prophet is a man called by God to be His representative on earth” (Gospel Principles, "Prophets of God", Chapter 9, pg. 39). In a very real sense, we believe that God communicates to our prophet, and then through that communication, the prophet is then able to lead and guide our church. With that being said, we do not believe the prophet to be the Head of our Church. He has the authority to direct, through divine inspiration, but he is acting on behalf of our Father in Heaven. President Hinckley stated that our Lord and Savior is “the center of our faith and the head of our Church" ("Are Mormons Christian", www.mormon.org/faq).
There are women in my church who are upset that they do not have the priesthood. They seem to think that by simply petitioning the church leaders, they can change the way the priesthood ordinances are administered; however, this belief is in direct opposition to our basic belief of who truly is the head of our Church. We do not belong to a government in which we can protest changes to society. We belong to THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS, and by so belonging—we believe that change occurs through inspiration—not through protests. Elder Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "The First Presidency and the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, who preside over the Church, are empowered to make many decisions affecting Church policies and procedures--matters such as the location of Church buildings and the ages for missionary service. But even though these presiding authorities hold and exercise all of the keys delegated to men in this dispensation, they are not free to alter the divinely decreed pattern that only men will hold offices in the priesthood" (Dallin H. Oaks, "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood", General Conference, April 2014).
I believe that all the rights and authorities of the priesthood are inspired of God—I have a testimony of it. Elder Oaks, a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles, gave a talk titled "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood". In this talk, he speaks of the divine role of women and the priesthood in our church. I feel that this talk answers many questions concerning the priesthood and women. I love how he says, "Priesthood power blesses all of us. Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men" (Dallin H. Oaks, "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood", General Conference, April 2014). He further states, that "men are not "the priesthood". Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all the children of God" (Dallin H. Oaks, "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood", General Conference, April 2014).
I am blessed daily by the priesthood. Whether it be through my personal calling, or through my husband's ability to administer a blessing--I am blessed. The blessings I receive from the priesthood have changed my life. Sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in big ways. Each time I recognize the Lord's hand, my heart is changed. One of those times, happened when I was a young mother living quite a distance from my family, on a trip to visit my family.
I set out on a Saturday morning determined to reach my sister's home. I had only been gone for a short time when I felt extremely tired. I thought about simply pulling over to the side of the road; however, I worried about being hit. As I was contemplating the best course of action, I noticed a sign indicating one mile to an exit. I felt sure I could make a mile, so I decided to continue to the exit. In that one mile, I fell asleep. I awakened to the bumps on the side of the interstate. I tried frantically to correct the car; however, I lost complete control. At that moment, I plead with my Father in Heaven for the safety of my children. Our car then rolled three times down an embankment. When the dust settled, I rushed to unbuckle both of my children. Once I had my youngest in my arms, I was no longer able to move. I fell to the ground in horrible pain. People gathered as I laid on the side of the interstate. I found it difficult to breathe, I felt the pain of the accident in all of my limbs, but my heart hurt the worst as I I listened to my babies cry. My youngest daughter and I were life-flighted to the Ogden Trauma Center while my oldest daughter came via ambulance. Our families were not told whether or not we were okay; in fact, the impression was given that one of us may have died. When we arrived at the hospital, that prognosis was a real concern. The doctor's words were bleak. The picture he painted was not a good one. However, the Lord sent a miracle that the doctor's could not provide. A worthy priesthood holder appeared at my bedside. I did not know him. He did not know me. He had been contacted by a common friend, and he came to the rescue. He administered a priesthood blessing, and my prognosis changed. Every time the doctor would enter my room he would say, "I can't explain it, but..." Within 24 hours I was released from the hospital. It was a miracle! I spent many months recovering from my injuries; however, I will never forget the power given to me to be healed through a worthy priesthood holder. The power of the priesthood is real. This is the Savior's priesthood. The same priesthood as in biblical times.
I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that our prophet—Thomas S. Monson leads and guides our Church, and it is through the Savior, Jesus Christ, that we are directed. I know that the organization of the Church--just like in ancient times--is led by my Savior, and because He is at the head of the Church—He is guiding and directing us. I do not feel unequal to men, because my roles and responsibilities are different from that of a man. I value the role that God has given to me as a woman. I am not overshadowed by the roles of men, but rather I feel that our separate roles complement each other.
To fully understand the rights and authorities of the Priesthood, I have attached Elder Oak's talk.
I am blessed daily by the priesthood. Whether it be through my personal calling, or through my husband's ability to administer a blessing--I am blessed. The blessings I receive from the priesthood have changed my life. Sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in big ways. Each time I recognize the Lord's hand, my heart is changed. One of those times, happened when I was a young mother living quite a distance from my family, on a trip to visit my family.
I set out on a Saturday morning determined to reach my sister's home. I had only been gone for a short time when I felt extremely tired. I thought about simply pulling over to the side of the road; however, I worried about being hit. As I was contemplating the best course of action, I noticed a sign indicating one mile to an exit. I felt sure I could make a mile, so I decided to continue to the exit. In that one mile, I fell asleep. I awakened to the bumps on the side of the interstate. I tried frantically to correct the car; however, I lost complete control. At that moment, I plead with my Father in Heaven for the safety of my children. Our car then rolled three times down an embankment. When the dust settled, I rushed to unbuckle both of my children. Once I had my youngest in my arms, I was no longer able to move. I fell to the ground in horrible pain. People gathered as I laid on the side of the interstate. I found it difficult to breathe, I felt the pain of the accident in all of my limbs, but my heart hurt the worst as I I listened to my babies cry. My youngest daughter and I were life-flighted to the Ogden Trauma Center while my oldest daughter came via ambulance. Our families were not told whether or not we were okay; in fact, the impression was given that one of us may have died. When we arrived at the hospital, that prognosis was a real concern. The doctor's words were bleak. The picture he painted was not a good one. However, the Lord sent a miracle that the doctor's could not provide. A worthy priesthood holder appeared at my bedside. I did not know him. He did not know me. He had been contacted by a common friend, and he came to the rescue. He administered a priesthood blessing, and my prognosis changed. Every time the doctor would enter my room he would say, "I can't explain it, but..." Within 24 hours I was released from the hospital. It was a miracle! I spent many months recovering from my injuries; however, I will never forget the power given to me to be healed through a worthy priesthood holder. The power of the priesthood is real. This is the Savior's priesthood. The same priesthood as in biblical times.
I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that our prophet—Thomas S. Monson leads and guides our Church, and it is through the Savior, Jesus Christ, that we are directed. I know that the organization of the Church--just like in ancient times--is led by my Savior, and because He is at the head of the Church—He is guiding and directing us. I do not feel unequal to men, because my roles and responsibilities are different from that of a man. I value the role that God has given to me as a woman. I am not overshadowed by the roles of men, but rather I feel that our separate roles complement each other.
To fully understand the rights and authorities of the Priesthood, I have attached Elder Oak's talk.
Carrie Miller
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