President Nelson’s talk

This was a powerful address by President Nelson given at the Women’s session of General Conference. In it President Nelson discusses the relationship between women and the Priesthood and shines a light on truths that may have escaped many of us.

‘How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man. Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men have access to “all the spiritual blessings of the church” or, we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children. ‘

The phrase ‘all the spiritual blessings of the church is a reference to D&C 107:18 which reads:

‘The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church— ‘

President Nelson also referred to this scripture in the April 2011 Conference in which he said:

‘ These blessings can change the circumstances of your lives, in matters such as health, companionship of the Holy Ghost, personal relationships, and opportunities for the future. ‘

What spiritual blessings have come to you through the priesthood?

‘Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.

Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power. ‘

What do you understand from these statements?

‘The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love. ‘

How does that make you feel? How would it change your life if that truth registered in your heart?

President Nelson went on to talk about how sisters (and by extension, brothers) can draw on the Saviour’s power and said:

‘You won’t find this process spelled out in any manual. The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutor as you seek to understand what the Lord would have you know and do. This process is neither quick nor easy, but it is spiritually invigorating. What could possibly be more exciting than to labor with the Spirit to understand God’s power—priesthood power?’

What do you think it means to have the Holy Ghost as your ‘personal tutor’? How do we go about doing that?

‘From the dawning of time, women have been blessed with a unique moral compass—the ability to distinguish right from wrong. This gift is enhanced in those who make and keep covenants. And it diminishes in those who willfully ignore the commandments of God.

I hasten to add that I do not absolve men in any way from God’s requirement for them also to distinguish between right and wrong. But my dear sisters, your ability to discern truth from error, to be society’s guardians of morality, is crucial in these latter days. And we depend upon you to teach others to do likewise. Let me be very clear about this: if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never recover.’

Why do you think that women’s ability to distinguish between right and wrong is crucial in these latter days?

President Nelson invited us to prayerfully study D&C 25 to discover what the Hoy Ghost will teach is. You may want to reflect on the following phrases from D&C 25:

• A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and ^awalk in the paths of ^bvirtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an ^cinheritance in Zion.
• ^aMurmur not because of the ^bthings which thou hast not seen, for they are ^cwithheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me in a time to come.
• And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the ^athings of this ^bworld, and ^cseek for the things of a ^dbetter.
• Wherefore, ^alift up thy heart and ^brejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.
• Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of ^apride. Let thy soul delight in thy ^bhusband, and the ^cglory which shall come upon him.
• Keep my commandments continually, and a ^acrown of ^brighteousness thou shalt receive. And except thou do this, where I am you ^ccannot come.

‘Now a little word of warning. There are those who would undermine your ability to call upon the power of God. There are some who would have you doubt yourself and minimize your stellar spiritual capacity as a righteous woman. ‘

In what ways does Satan work to minimise women’s spiritual capacity?

What significance did you see in President Nelson announcing the new temples in this session?

Now, in closing, I would like to leave a blessing upon you, that you may understand the priesthood power with which you have been endowed and that you will augment that power by exercising your faith in the Lord and in His power.

There are 2 blessings here:

1. That sisters will understand the priesthood with which they have been endowed
2. That they might augment that power by exercising faith.

How can you access those blessings?

How are you going to think and act differently as a result of this prophetic counsel?

(Note: passages in italics are excerpts from President Nelson’s address.)