The Priesthood and Love

Recently I had a disturbing nightmare, and the images bothered me all the next day. At bedtime I asked my very tired husband to give me a blessing. He readily agreed and gave me a beautiful priesthood blessing, saying that which I needed to hear and tenderly comforting me. The blessing not only filled me with peace, but also with intense love for my husband for caring for me and for using his priesthood to do so. Of course, I slept soundly that night.

I am so grateful for the priesthood; it truly is the power of a loving God. I am also thankful for loving men who are willing to use this power properly to bless others. How blessed I am to have one of those loving men!

The priesthood revolves around love: "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (D&C 121:41). My husband's love for me brought him close to the Spirit; my love for him increased my faith. And the blessing worked.

My patriarchal blessing counsels me to honor and respect my husband's priesthood and encourage my husband to give blessings to me and our children. I extend this counsel to all of you: do not deny the brethren opportunities to serve and bless others with the gift and power of the priesthood. Put faith in them and you will be surprised by what they can do.

Challenge: Next time you need to be comforted, ask a worthy priesthood holder to give you a blessing.

photo from theideadoor.com

Comments

Anonymous said…

I am honored to use the Priesthood to bless and serve - i also enjoyed giving you blessings and am glad you have a good man to continue on -DAD

April 13, 2010 at 3:43 AM

Reese said…

I have been SO blessed to enjoy the Priesthood in my home - and I put it to use! I know my husband is truly inspired, he says things in his blessings that address the deeper feelings I'm experiencing that I haven't mentioned to Cory, and even if I did I wouldn't know how to express it so that he would understand the way he does in the blessings. And he doesn't even remember what he said most of the time afterwards... just because he doesn't really pay much attention :) But it helps me know it's true inspiration.

April 16, 2010 at 3:54 PM

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