using power

I had a great deal to think on yesterday as we discussed how to use a power granted us.

First off, I must apologize for the word that I came up with, as it conjures images of Gandolf (from Lord of the Rings). The word is wield. It was not my place to question publically, but I felt like the great things that could come from such a discussion was thwarted because it had been turned into a discussion on how, once access had been gained, to wield a power instead of simply using it. Because I said nothing regarding this mistake and I listened to miraculous tales, I felt perhaps, in my own way, I could share my insights here.

The power I am going to refer to is the same power that created the Earth (as well as life itself), and also was the same power that, when used to heal and forgive was cause to call someone blasphemous to death. So, though I do not seek death for my words, I will share them here.

I am constantly reminded how much I use the power of the preisthood. I do not wield it, but without it's restoration, the authority from God would not be on the Earth and without the authority to baptize the very atonent would have been for naught! But, because of baptism and the sacrament, I can use the gift of forgiveness if I choose to perfect myself. That gift alone is almost constantly on my mind (after all that is a covenant, I make weekly).

Sure, there is so much more. In the early church of Jesus Christ as well as with and Church ordained of God, he has sought temples. There are many reasons for this, but I have always thought how important it is for God to have a place among us. That was why in my early twenties I formed a theory with a scripture study group that and reference to mountains was a temple reference...um, that wasn't clear. Let me explain. When Moses sought to commune with God he climbed a mountain, and when people thought they had it figured out and we're going to bypass a temple on Earth, they built a mountain-like tower (called the tower of Babel). It was common knowledge that to get closer to God one needed to be higher... (Not going to follow, merely note the LSD thought train)

So, as the saints of Christ's church sought to build a temple on earth, tremendous sacrifices were made! They knew that without the power of God, they would not succeed in building the kingdom of Zion on the Earth.

Likewise, our own loved ones must have opportunities, which can only be performed though preisthood power/authority in a temple. And we want to make such a opportunity available to all mankind.

But, in General Conference (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) the prophet said that Everytime we attend the temple we not only use that power(which is awesome to consider we really can) but, that we are endowed with that same power and the very angels watch over us. Wow! I do not know about you, but to me that is a claim/blessing I want to understand more fully. I never even consider wielding the priesthood, and frankly I would not want to. It is a bit like getting employment. Sure, I could do it, and probably better supply earthly good for my family, but I am not asked to do it... I could, but do not really want to anyhow. I was fascinated by the stories of how loved ones were healed and such by women, and maybe that is a point for me to discovery later on in my journey, but for now it is enough for me to understand what is available and be blessed with the opportunity to seek out and bless my loved ones.

There is so much I do not understand at all, but I was upset by the confusion of how using mean wielding, and felt the need to share my two cents, and now I can return to my daily routine...tah tah.

It seriously never occurred to me

I was thinking about what I loved most about others or why exactly I loved them further what it means to love them, and while I was thinking about how mankind seems to need connection and how the whole purpose of life boils down to connecting to whom we love most. But, nothing new to consider there, the new thought was that, and see if you see the "connection", our creator whom we refer to as our Father has asked us to communicate with him. It requires faith, but he promises to hear and answer. I cannot even comprehend how such a thing even could be done, but I believe it, and have testified of many manifestations of such promise. So anyhow, there is a scripture that says that what father if you ask crud, I have to look up the exact wording...

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Then it goes on to say that if a mortal (limited abilities) father knows how to give good gifts, think how much better an eternal heavenly father (omniscient and omnipotent) would be at giving gifts. And I recall a meme of a girl standing with a tiny stuffed bear you and refusing to give it up stating that she loved it, but God had a better one behind his back ready to give to her.

I also (my age is showing) loved Feivel's song from American Tail:

https://youtu.be/l_iRdgGZ6Xc

Having just researched it, man, how did this never occur to me he even mentions prayer! But, in my mind it was all about the moon being a shared object, and likewise  I always find comfort looking at the same moon whenever I feel alone (at night). But, what dawned on me is that if I believe it possible then I can pray to heavenly father and he will know my heart and mind and bless me accordingly, though chances are I will not think so at first. It is actually crazy to think I could even comprehend what I truly need, my own daughter often asks for things that she wants confusing them with what she needs because she would never ask for what she needs and often she thinks I am ignoring her or  not getting it. I try so hard to explain, but though not giving her everything she wants breaks my heart. I love her too much to do so. Although, similarly I do not expect to understand, I will ask and be heard.

It is so hard to have eternal perspective when I do not even know what to prepare for...