pages/essays/rights-powers-principles.md
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@@ -7,11 +7,14 @@ of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only
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upon the principles righteousness.
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[D&C 121:36](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121#36)
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-This verse, succinct and plainly worded, has always intrigued me. It lays out a basic rule upon which much else is built. Yet, it presents an apparent contradiction: If the priesthood cannot be misused, why are safeguards necessary to prevent its misuse? How can the hosts of darkness accomplish their misdeeds, and what role does the power of the priesthood play in this? This essay explores these questions.
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+This verse, succinct and plainly worded, has always intrigued me. It lays out
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+a basic rule upon which much else is built. Yet, it presents an apparent
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+contradiction: If the priesthood cannot be misused, why are safeguards
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+necessary to prevent its misuse? How can the hosts of darkness accomplish
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+their misdeeds, and what role does the power of the priesthood play in this?
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-* the concept of priesthood power is simple, but D&C 121:36 is a seemingly
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- contradictory statement; if one cannot misuse the power of the priesthood,
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- why is it necessary to put safeguards in place to prevent that misuse?
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+Cain held the priesthood authority to make sacrifices and made those
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+sacrifices unrighteously
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* when talking about 'the power of the priesthood' it is a living power,
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separate from and co-existent with God
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kept in the very way God has appointed; otherwise their Priesthood will
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prove a cursing instead of a blessing. [STPJS
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p169](https://scriptures.byu.edu/stpjs.html)
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* > If man is limited in his growth and perfection by his ability to use his
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priesthood, then surely we must continually strive to use its power and to
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organize ourselves more perfectly. [Perry, L. Tom. (1981, November). When
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Ye Are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear.
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Ensign.](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1981/10/when-ye-are-prepared-ye-shall-not-fear)
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* > From this I understand that there is a difference between priesthood
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authority and priesthood power. Power and authority in the priesthood are
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not necessarily synonymous. [H. Burke Peterson. (1976, May).
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Priesthood--Authority and Power.
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Ensign.](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1976/05/priesthood-authority-and-power)
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* [Harris, D. (November, 1984). Spiritual Power. Ensign.](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1984/11/spiritual-power)
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### Opposing
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that can be used to satisfy personal desires or ambitions. [Dallin H.
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Oaks. (2014, May). The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood.
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Ensign](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/05/priesthood-session/the-keys-and-authority-of-the-priesthood)
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* > Priesthood power is God’s power, and He will not allow it to be used
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unworthily or to accomplish evil purposes. As we exercise this power in
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faith, we can perform miracles in His name. (Russell M. Nelson, "Spiritual
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for the blessing of others. Those who hold it are to serve in the name of
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the Lord with love and concern for the well-being of His children. (Dieter
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F. Uchtdorf, "The Joy of the Priesthood," Ensign, November 2012)
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* > The Priesthood is an eternal principle, a co-existent attribute of God.
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(Bruce R. McConkie, "The Doctrine of the Priesthood," Ensign, May 1982)
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* > The priesthood is the power of God delegated to man to act in all things