Dad's thoughts on Priesthood from Maryland

Mom and Dad are visiting the Fry's this week. After a long overnight red eye flight we awoke in Baltimore and found the Fry's new home comfortable and fun. Despite the many stairs I have always loved the architecture of this part of America.  And the stairs of their home are everywhere. Imagine how little Conner feels as the steps to him are knee high. Talk about strong thighs!

We enjoyed a trip to the National Zoo while Anjuli had a physician appointment. You've got to love the DC area with so much to do including a free Zoo. We  enjoyed a trip to Home Depot with Anjuli and boys to pick up tomato plants and flowers for her patio garden. The boys really helped planting the strawberries and then the flowers. 

On a more "Sabbath note" I learned or understood a little more about priesthood today while visiting the High Priest Quorum in the Fry's Ward. The lesson was #8 on the everlasting priesthood. The teacher was a humble but large retired navy man who admitted near the beginning of the lesson that he struggled to really know what it meant use the priesthood. The initial thought where Joseph Smith noted "our minds being enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understanding, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed" impressed me with the  added thought from page 109 that "one great privilege of the privilege of the Priesthood is to obtain revelations of the mind and will of God".  As I pondered these ideas and listened to the related comments it became clear to me it is essential for a priesthood holder to be not only guided by revelation but also have the faith to acknowledge the overwhelming influence of God in one's life. A verse from Numbers noted seeing the miracles caused me to realize that this seeing and the related faith is a sign of one who is using the priesthood. I learned from the comment that a priesthood holder would magnify priesthood by  listening to the spirit (revelation) following it and doing the will of Lord. They would act in faith and the related power would assist in accomplishing the work.  Priesthood would be magnified because we would be serving. Our service would be focused and directed because it would be inspired.  An active priesthood holder would have the faith to understand and acknowledge the revelation and inspiration and live worthy to receive.

I really appreciated President Turners   talk on meekness as that trait if embraced would cause one to really trust in God in all things, therefore seeking the revelation and guidance to act in priesthood.

Why would I write here on Priesthood?  To understand and record for myself this new understanding and to do this by trying to teach it... and to encourage all the priesthood holders in our family to continue to seek and follow the revelation they receive... and to seek your related thoughts.

Thanks for being worthy to receive the spirit priesthood holders and sisters (who do not need to hold priesthood ) who enjoy the gifts of spirit by nature.

Dad