Priesthood
by Shauna Gibby

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Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “God Helps the Faithful Priesthood Holder,” by Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Nov 2007, 55–58.

Thought:

Priesthood power is given you to bless others.
(Henry B. Eyring, “God Helps the Faithful Priesthood Holder,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 55–58)

Song:

“The Priesthood is Restored,” Children’s Songbook, p 89.

Scripture:

Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:17)

Object Lesson:

Materials needed: One shoe with a shoelace.
Presentation: Put the shoe on without the shoelace and walk around, then show how much better the shoe fits when it is laced and tied.
Lesson application: The priesthood is the binding force in the family and the Church. Just as the lace enables us to walk more easily, the priesthood helps us to function effectively at home and at Church. The priesthood gives us direction and order.

(Alma Heaton, Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975], p. 32.)

Story:

From Harold B. Lee
I had a lesson years ago as to the greatness of priesthood. A call came for me from the First Presidency, asking me to come to their office on a day that I shall never forget—April 20, 1935.

I was a city commissioner at the time, as well as a stake president. In our stake there were 4,800 of our 7,300 people who were wholly or partially dependent. There were few government work programs; the finances of the Church were low; and we had been told that not much could be done so far as outside help was concerned. We had only one place to go, and that was to apply the Lord’s program as set forth in the revelations.

It was from our humble efforts in helping our people that the First Presidency, knowing of our experience, called me asking if I would come to their office. It was Saturday morning and they had no other appointments on their calendar, so for hours they talked with me. They told me they wanted me to resign from the city commission and they would release me from being stake president; they wished me now to head up the welfare movement to turn the tide from government relief and help put the Church in a position where it could take care of its own needy.

After that morning I drove my car up to the head of City Creek Canyon into what was then called Rotary Park, and there, all by myself, I offered one of the most humble prayers of my life.

There I was, just a young man in my thirties. My experience had been limited. I was born in a little country town in Idaho and had hardly been outside the boundaries of the states of Utah and Idaho. And now, to put me in a position where I was to reach out to the entire membership of the Church worldwide, was one of the most staggering contemplations I could imagine. How could I do it with my limited understanding?

As I knelt down, my petition was, “What kind of an organization should be set up in order to accomplish what the Presidency has assigned?” And there came to me on that glorious morning one of the most heavenly realizations of the power of the priesthood of God. It was as though something were saying to me, “There is no new organization necessary to take care of the needs of this people. All that is necessary is to put the priesthood of God to work. There is nothing else that you need as a substitute.”

(Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People, Vol. 2, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 54.)

Activity:

Play “Robot.” Have Dad be the robot. Little children sit on his shoulders, larger ones control him standing beside him. Two taps on his head tell him to go forward. One tap means to stop. A tug on the right ear means to go to the right, and a tug on the left ear means turn left. Let everyone have a turn “controlling” Dad. Remind the family that Dad holds the priesthood and that gives him the authority to act in God’s name. When he is using the priesthood, he needs to listen to God and follow His commands.

(adapted from Mina S. Coletti and Roberta Kling Giesea, The Family Idea Book Two, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982],

103.)

Refreshment:

Frozen Raspberry Delight

2 c. crushed chocolate wafer cookies
1⁄3 c. butter or margarine, melted
1⁄4 c. sugar
1 c. chocolate fudge sauce, softened
1 qt. vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
1 pt. raspberry sherbet, slightly softened
1 (12-oz.) pkg. frozen raspberries (without syrup)
1 (8-oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a medium bowl, combine chocolate wafers, melted butter, and sugar; mix well. Reserve 1⁄4 cup to use as topping. Press remaining crust into 9x13-inch pan. Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Spread chocolate fudge sauce over crust. Spoon vanilla ice cream over chocolate. Place spoonfuls of sherbet randomly over ice cream; use a knife to swirl gently. Top with raspberries gently pressed into ice cream. Spread whipped topping over berries and top with reserved crumbs. Cover; freeze 6 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Serves 20.

(Compiled by Elaine Cannon, 5 Star Recipes, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2002], p. 205.)

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Member of the Stake with Harold B. Lee Posted by Donald from Washington I was four years ole in the Pioneer Stake and later learned about the beginning of the Welfare Program and remember working in the Cannery at Welfare Square. There were no age restrictions and had a lot of fun working there. The brother I remember most beside Pres. Lee was Jesse Drury whom we called Mr. Welfare. As I remember he inspired Pres. Lee by going to him with the idea of the first ( 14-acre) Welfare Farm. In 1936 ther Pioneer Stake Welfare Plan was incorporated into the General Church Welfare Plan which was started on April 6, 1936. One of the jobs I had when I was still a youth was inspecting the cans seal along the side as they passed by on a belt heading to be put in the cardboard cases.