In the Women’s session of General Conference October 2019, President Russell M. Nelson addressed the sisters about Spiritual Treasures. He spoke of the events surrounding the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith and the power of the priesthood available to covenant-keeping men and women alike.
I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with Doctrine and Covenants sections 84 and 107. Those sections will lead you to other passages. The scriptures and teachings by modern prophets, seers, and revelators are filled with these truths. As your understanding increases and as you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase. As you do so, you will find yourselves better able to help create eternal families that are united, sealed in the temple of the Lord, and full of love for our Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ.
I determined to do just as our prophet asked. I have spent hours reading through this inspired talk and the events which he spoke of during the restoration, reading every section given, and following every footnote. Here’s are my notes of the spiritual treasures I have found as I’ve done so and hope they edify and inspire you as they have me.
Everything that happened in this area [of Harmony, Pennsylvania] has profound implications for your lives. The restoration of the priesthood, along with the Lord’s counsel to Emma, can guide and bless each of you. 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”2 or, we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children.
What happened in Harmony?
- May 15, 1829 John the Baptist appeared and conferred the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.” (Joseph Smith—History 1:68-69; Doctrine and Covenants 13.)
- It was there that the Apostles Peter, James, and John appeared to restore the Melchizedek Priesthood. “The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the akeys of all the spiritual blessings of the church” (D&C 107:18).
- It was in Harmony that Emma Hale Smith served as her husband’s first scribe while the Prophet translated the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith was told by the angel Moroni that he needed to bring the “right person” with him to retrieve the plates. Early on Joseph felt it should have been his eldest brother Alvin, but when Alvin passed away he was left to wonder who it would be. Joseph was then led to work for Mr. Hale who’s daughter would become not only Joseph’s loving wife, but “arguably more intimately involved in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon than any person besides Joseph” (Amy Easton-Flake and Rachel Cope, “A Multiplicity of Witnesses: Women and the Translation Process,” in The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Deseret Book and Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2015), 143.)
- It was also in Harmony that Joseph received a revelation manifesting the Lord’s will to Emma.
So, I invite you to study prayerfully section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants and discover what the Holy Ghost will teach you. Your personal spiritual endeavor will bring you joy as you gain, understand, and use the power with which you have been endowed.
(I have added my own thoughts of each footnote in the parenthesis in Italics and bold.)
1 Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith (insert your name), my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who areceive my gospel are sons and daughters in my bkingdom. (“In its fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom. The Savior has promised that if we endure to the end, faithfully living the gospel, He will hold us guiltless before the Father at the Final Judgment”(see 3 Nephi 27:16)(Gospel Overview, churchofjesuschrist.org).
2 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. (“Virtue is a prerequisite to entering the Lord’s holy temples and to receiving the Spirit’s guidance. Virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.” It encompasses chastity and moral purity…It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions.” (gospel topics, Virtue). Now, if we walk in virtue then we are promised that our lives will be preserved and we will receive an inheritance in Zion. “Saying: I, the Lord, will make known unto you what I will that ye shall do from this time until the next conference, which shall be held in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people, which are a remnant of Jacob, and those who are heirs according to the covenant. And it shall also, inasmuch as they are faithful, be made known unto them the land of your inheritance. And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies” (D&C 52: 2,5,42). Wow! Okay, so from this time that president Nelson gave this talk in October 2019 until the next general conference something significant may be happening that points to our inheritance in the New Jeruselum in the land of Missouri which has been consecrated unto the Lord’s people who are heirs according to the covenant!)
3 Behold, thy asins are forgiven thee, and thou art an belect clady (chosen or set apart) , whom I have dcalled. (The Lord said, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” 7 We are called when hands are laid upon our heads and we are given the priesthood, but we are not chosen until we have demonstrated to God our righteousness, our faithfulness, and our commitment” James E. Faust; Called and Chosen, 2005).
4 aMurmur not because of the bthings (knowledge) which thou hast not seen, for they are cwithheld from thee and from the world, (“But their eyes were holden that they should not know him” Luke 24: 16) which is wisdom in me in a time to come. (“Perhaps when we murmur we are unconsciously complaining over not being able to cut a special deal with the Lord. We want full blessings but without full obedience to the laws upon which those blessings are predicated. For instance, some murmurers seem to hope to reshape the Church to their liking by virtue of their murmuring. But why would one want to belong to a church that he could remake in his own image, when it is the Lord’s image that we should come to have in our countenances? (See Alma 5:19.)The doctrines are His, brothers and sisters, not ours. The power is His to delegate, not ours to manipulate!” (Neal A. Maxwell; Murmur Not, Oct. 1989).
5 And the office of thy calling shall be for a acomfort (compassion) unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., thy bhusband, in his cafflictions (adversity, chastening, persecution, and sorrow) with consoling words, in the spirit of dmeekness (gentleness).
6 And thou shalt go with him at the time of his going, and be unto him for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for him, that I may send my servant, Oliver Cowdery, whithersoever I will.
7 And thou shalt be aordained (or set apart) under his hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my bSpirit (spiritual gifts are given through the gift of the Holy Ghost; Holy Spirit, or the Light of Christ).
8 For he shall lay his ahands (administration through the authority of the priesthood) upon thee, and thou shalt receive the Holy Ghost, and thy time shall be given to writing, and to learning much.
9 And thou needest not fear, for thy ahusband shall support thee in the church; for unto them is his bcalling, that all things might be crevealed unto them, whatsoever I will, according to their faith. (The Proclamation on the Family states, “… that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” In April 2006, then Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant.7 Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God.8 “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.”9 Children born of that marital union are “an heritage of the Lord.”10 Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself.11 Marriage is both a commandment and an exalting principle of the gospel.” (Nurturing Marriage, GC April 2006).
10 And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the athings of this bworld, and cseek for the things of a dbetter. (Do not covet, or greedily long for things that will not last and are not what your Heavenly Parents and Savior want for you. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Cor. 6:17). We must seek for a more eternal reward. For the Lord has said, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Gen. 15:1).
11 And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of asacred bhymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.
12 For my soul adelighteth in the bsong of the cheart; yea, the dsong of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. (“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Eph. 5:19-20).
13 Wherefore, alift up thy heart and brejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made. (The word cleave has two contradictory definitions: on the one hand cleave means “to separate (something) into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent views”. While on the other hand is also means, “to adhere closely; stick; cling. to remain faithful”. We cleave unto our covenants as we separate ourselves from sin, divergent views which would lead us away from the covenant path, and through continual repentance becoming distinct from the world. While simultaneously adhering closely and remaining wholly faithful to the Lord and His ways. This is truly something to “lift up thy heart and rejoice over”).
14 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. (“Meekness is a defining attribute of the Redeemer and is distinguished by righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and strong self-restraint”(David A. Bednar; Meek and Lowly of Heart, GC, April 2018). Pride, then, is the antithesis of meekness. Emma was commanded to delight in her husband and the glory which shall come upon him. This glory is not just for him, but is eternally tied to and dependent upon her as well. Joseph’s glory is that of celestial exultation but not without his eternal companion. “In order to obtain the highest degree in the celestial kingdom, a man and a woman must enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” (see D&C 131:2–3).
15 Keep my commandments continually, and a acrown of brighteousness thou shalt receive. And except thou do this, where I am you ccannot come. (Emma, and all those who make and keep sacred covenants and ordinances of the priesthood, will receive exaltation. If covenants are not kept and the sanctifying power of the atonement used, where the Lord is we cannot be.)
16 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my avoice unto all. Amen. (This applies to everyone!!!)
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.
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.
Now, you might be saying to yourself, “This sounds wonderful, but how do I do it? How do I draw the Savior’s power into my life?”
Part of this endeavor will require you to put aside many things of this world. Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy.
As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you!
President Nelson then gives a warning about those who would undermine, doubt, or minimize your spiritual capacity and the efforts of the adversary. I hope that you’ll read the entirety of this incredible talk, but for the sake of space we’ll skip to the prophet’s final earnest request.
I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with Doctrine and Covenants sections 84 and 107. Those sections will lead you to other passages. The scriptures and teachings by modern prophets, seers, and revelators are filled with these truths. As your understanding increases and as you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase. As you do so, you will find yourselves better able to help create eternal families that are united, sealed in the temple of the Lord, and full of love for our Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ.
Read Part 2 of Finding “Spiritual Treasures” as we go through these next two exciting sections.
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