Lesson 25 - The Power of Godliness - Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 - Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Seventy said: “Of all the holy agreements pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ, few, if any, would transcend in importance the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is certainly one of the most sacred agreements, for it involves the sharing of heavenly powers and man’s upward reaching toward eternal goals” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 56; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 43).

Reading 2 - D&C 84:33–44

Reading 3 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie has written:  "The oath is the solemn attestation of Deity, his sworn promise, that those who keep their part of the covenant shall come forth and inherit all things according to the promise." (Mormon Doctrine, p480)

Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 14:30-31 - page 795 of your scriptures – at the end of the Bible Dictionary

Reading 4 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “We magnify our priesthood and enlarge our calling when we serve with diligence and enthusiasm in those responsibilities to which we are called by proper authority. … We magnify our calling, we enlarge the potential of our priesthood when we reach out to those in distress and give strength to those who falter. … We magnify our calling when we walk with honesty and integrity” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 63; or Ensign, May 1989, 48–49).

"Sanctification is the process of becoming a saint, holy and spiritually clean and pure, by purging all sin from the soul."

There are three factors that make sanctification possible:

–        The Atonement of Christ.  Moses 6:60 - "For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified"

–        The power of the Holy Ghost, the agent that purifies the heart and gives an abhorrence of sin

–        "progression through personal righteousness . . . . Faithful men and women fast; pray; repent of their sins; grow in humility, faith, joy, and consolation; and yield their hearts to God."

–        "King Benjamin's people in the Book of Mormon illustrate the sanctification process. They humbled themselves and prayed mightily that God would apply the atoning blood of Christ and purify their hearts. The Spirit came upon them and filled them with joy; a mighty change came into their hearts and they had "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2).

(All Sanctification quotes are from the definition of Sanctification in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism)

Reading 5 – Abraham 2:9-11

Reading 6 - President Joseph Fielding Smith said:  "I think we all know that the blessings of the priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings are also poured out upon our wives and daughters and upon all the faithful women of the Church. These good sisters can prepare themselves, by keeping the commandments and by serving in the Church, for the blessings of the house of the Lord. The Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons, for neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord." (CR, Apr 1970)

Reading 7 – Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-46

Reading 8 - Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “Those who hold the priesthood must never forget that they have no right to wield priesthood authority like a club over the heads of others in the family or in Church callings. … Any man who … seeks to use the priesthood in any degree of unrighteousness in the Church or in the home simply does not understand the nature of his authority. Priesthood is for service, not servitude; compassion, not compulsion; caring, not control” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 105; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 78).

Reading 9 - Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “It has been my privilege on various occasions to converse with Presidents of the United States and important men in other governments. At the close of each such occasion I have reflected on the rewarding experience of standing with confidence in the presence of an acknowledged leader. And then I have thought, what a wonderful thing, what a marvelous thing it would be to stand with confidence—unafraid and unashamed and unembarrassed—in the presence of God. This is the promise held out to every virtuous man and woman” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 66; or Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, 73).