The Mechanics of Priesthood, Power, and Faith

[oneClimbs]

Sharing an article based on a topic that I have been pondering for several years and wanted to share. The objective was to define exactly what the priesthood is, how God's power actually works and the relationship between the two. While not exhaustive, I tried to be as concise as possible and distill a massive amount of information into something you could read briefly.

http://oneclimbs.com/2018/05/11/the-mec ... and-faith/

[EdGoble]

Sharing an article based on a topic that I have been pondering for several years and wanted to share. The objective was to define exactly what the priesthood is, how God's power actually works and the relationship between the two. While not exhaustive, I tried to be as concise as possible and distill a massive amount of information into something you could read briefly.

http://oneclimbs.com/2018/05/11/the-mec ... and-faith/

I think that this is a fair and good description, and I don't find anything wrong. However, I think that I want to focus on another aspect. We say that faith is the driver, the mechanism that makes the power work. This is an "interface" to physical power and action. There is nothing wrong with this description. Because this is the mental thing that enables power to be driven. This is why the exercise of faith in the gospel is so critical, and why God doesn't show himself or reveal himself to people that refuse to exercise this principle.

If we focus on the physics of it though, what are we talking about? D&C 88 makes it clear that the planets move "in the midst of the power of God" and that every power is essentially "light." And this light flows throughout all things, etc.

While a description of priesthood power that focuses on its exercise through service, and that focuses on such things as influence, rights, authority, offices, etc. When we talk about this, we are talking about service and righteous exercise of authority through human action.

But if we are talking about the material world, we cannot escape the fact in "Mormon Physics," for lack of a better term, that there is something almost "artificially intelligent," so to speak (i.e. almost computer-like), about "pure intelligence" which is "light," that is obedient to someone that has the "right" to control it through "faith" which is a "mental effort." There is some mechanism in physics that we do not understand, where God can give someone the ability to mentally control the elements through this light. And somehow this light is obedient to that mental effort where one has literal control of the universe itself once one has this right. And through priesthood blessings, depending on the will of God, one can have access to a measure of this. And one can have limited access to it by the grace of God even if one does not have the absolute and always-accessible right bestowed on him/her yet, which is the bestowal of the keys to the sealing power to shut and open the heavens and control the elements, etc. This mental effort that drives this is sometimes accompanied by the spoken word or by ritual. This description of a physical power in the universe, much like "wizardry," and similar to the "force" of Star Wars, controllable through essentially a type of telekenetics/telepathy is definitely an element which is distinct from, yet coupled to, the service and human action of the priesthood, and it is an important aspect of priesthood power.

[Arenera]

Lehi ascends:

1 Nephi 1:
4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.

7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.

8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.

9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.

Nephi connects:

1 Nephi 2
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.

18 But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them.

19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

Nephi exercised faith in seeking God, and having humility.

Jacob had faith:

Jacob 4
6 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

Priesthood power has a relationship with spiritual events, where hope is obtained and faith becomes unshaken.

[Zathura]

Lehi ascends:

1 Nephi 1:
4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.

7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.

8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.

9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.

Nephi connects:

1 Nephi 2
16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.

18 But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them.

19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

Nephi exercised faith in seeking God, and having humility.

Jacob had faith:

Jacob 4
6 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

Priesthood power has a relationship with spiritual events, where hope is obtained and faith becomes unshaken.

I agree. There is a relation with Spiritual Events and priesthood power. I have ideas, and I'm still working it out. I hope to one day receive a firm understanding of it so that I can share.

In a quote I shared elsewhere from Mckonkie, he suggested it's possible that priesthood power = faith = spirit.

There's a connection between the three that's obvious, I see it in the scriptures but can't quite workout in my head what it is and how to explain it. I liked the blog post alot, but still, something is missing.

[marc]

Then there's JST Genesis 14. It wasn't until Melchizedek exercised faith, resulting in the quenching of fires and stopping the mouths of lions that he was then approved of the Lord and ordained by God Himself with the power to move mountains, turn rivers from their courses, set at defiance the armies of nations, etc like unto Enoch.

[marc]

The difference being the ordination by the calling of God's own voice. Nephi, for example, was faithful and thus approved by the Lord and given power to do things of his own accord. He was trusted by the Lord.

Helaman 10:5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.

7 Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people.

8 And thus, if ye shall say unto this temple it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done.

9 And if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast down and become smooth, it shall be done.

10 And behold, if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass.

[marc]

...with such unwearyingness...

[marc]

Alma 13:10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith...

exceeding faith...with such unwearyingness...I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works...

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

[marc]

Consider the "office" of Savior, if you will. Your work is to create a world in a cosmos where yonder exists matter. Your work (and your glory) will be to descend below all of your creation to suffer so utterly and infinitely and to love so completely that some few of your creations might choose to love you back and be saved that you might elevate them. Consider simply speaking words such as "let there be light" and by your faith and your priesthood, it is so. If creating an earth is too much to consider, then visualize healing someone in your ward who is suffering some illness or ailment. How will you exercise faith to heal him or her by faith alone? If that is too much, what about simply going over and mowing his or her lawn or making him or her dinner and spending an hour with him or her?