pages/essays/rights-powers-principles.md
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-The concept of priesthood power in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
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-Saints is complex and multifaceted. According to scripture and Church
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-teachings, the power of the priesthood is inseparably connected to the powers
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-of heaven, and can only be used in righteousness. However, as some Church
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-leaders have cautioned, priesthood authority and priesthood power are not
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-necessarily synonymous. Additionally, there is a belief that the power
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-referenced is separate and co-existent with God, and can only be used in a
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-certain way; if misused, it can eventually destroy the individual.
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-
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-At first glance, the various quotes from various church leaders seem to be in
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-conflict. Either the priesthood is a living power, separate and co-existent
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-with God, or the priesthood emanates from and is controlled by God. But
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-a deeper study shows that these quotes are not actually in conflict.
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+I have always loved the verse quoted at the top of this page. It's very
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+succinct and plainly worded. The Lord lays out a basic rule by which
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+everything else (or nearly so) is built upon. However, there is an apparent
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+contradiction in this scripture. How can the priesthood be absused if it
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+cannot be misused? Why are safeguards necessary if it cannot be used
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+inappropriately?
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+
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+
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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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* when talking about 'the power of the priesthood' it is a living power,
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separate and co-existent with God
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* when talking about 'the authority and use of the priesthood' it is how the
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power should be used so you don't end up destroying yourself
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* the power of the priesthood runs the universe
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-* this is how the enemy accomlishes it misdeeds, but at their own expense
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-
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+* this is how the enemy accomplishes it misdeeds, but at their own expense;
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+ they have learned incorrectly or have been taught and betrayed those who
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+ taught them
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-**???** Where is it said the universe runs on the power of the priesthood? Who
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-said it?
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-
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### Quotes/References
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#### Supporting
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* > The Priesthood is not held for personal gain or benefit, but rather for
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the blessing of others. Those who hold it are to serve in the name of the
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- Lord with love and concern for the well-being of His children. (Dieter F.
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- Uchtdorf, "The Joy of the Priesthood," Ensign, November 2012)
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+ Lord with love and concern for the well-being of His children.
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+ (Dieter 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
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- for the salvation of mankind. (Boyd K. Packer, "The Power of the
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- Priesthood," Ensign, May 2010)
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+ for the salvation of mankind.
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+ (Boyd K. Packer, "The Power of the Priesthood," Ensign, May 2010)
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* > The priesthood is the power of God. It is not a social organization,
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- although it exists within a social organization. (Dallin H. Oaks, "The Keys
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- and Authority of the Priesthood," Ensign, May 2014)
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+ although it exists within a social organization.
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+ (Dallin H. Oaks, "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood," Ensign, May 2014)
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* > The power of the priesthood is the power of God. It is infinite, eternal,
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- and unchanging. (David A. Bednar, "The Powers of Heaven," Ensign, November
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- 2012)
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+ and unchanging.
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+ (David A. Bednar, "The Powers of Heaven," Ensign, November 2012)
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* > The priesthood is the power of God committed to man for the salvation of
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the human family. It is the means whereby the earth will be transformed into
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a celestial kingdom, and the sons and daughters of God may eventually return
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- to His presence and partake of His glory. (Talmage, James E. The Articles of
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- Faith, p. 162)
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+ to His presence and partake of His glory.
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+ (Talmage, James E. The Articles of Faith, p. 162)
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* > The priesthood is a living thing, as it were, and is always ready to
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respond to the call of faith and righteousness; but it can never be made
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subservient to the selfish interests or evil designs of any man, nor can it
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- be used contrary to the will and wisdom of God. (Talmage, James E. The
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- Vitality of Mormonism, p. 136)
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+ be used contrary to the will and wisdom of God.
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+ (Talmage, James E. The Vitality of Mormonism, p. 136)
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