President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “There is strength and great capacity in the women of this Church. There is leadership and direction, a certain spirit of independence, and yet great satisfaction in being a part of this, the Lord’s kingdom, and of working hand in hand with the priesthood to move it forward” (Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society, pg. 125)
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the priesthood of God has been restored to the earth in its fulness. The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God by which He blesses, redeems, and exalts His children.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said: “While we sometimes refer to priesthood holders as ‘the priesthood,’ we must never forget that the priesthood is not owned by or embodied in those who hold it. It is held in a sacred trust to be used for the benefit of men, women, and children alike.” Elder Oaks then quoted Elder John A. Widtsoe, who also served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve: “Men have no greater claim than women upon the blessings that issue from the Priesthood and accompany its possession.” (pg. 127)
Because Latter-day Saint women have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, they can seek and be blessed by spiritual gifts such as “the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” (see Articles of Faith 1:7) Throughout the history of the Church, Latter-day Saint women have received gifts of the Spirit and used them to bless their families and others.
In late October 1838, Amanda Barnes Smith and her husband, Warren, with their children and other members of the Church, were on the way to Far West, Missouri. They stopped at a mill to make some repairs on their wagon. While they were there, a mob attacked Latter-day Saints who were working at the mill, killing 17 men and boys and wounding 15. Amanda, who had hidden during the attack, returned to find Warren and their son Sardius among the dead. Another son, Alma, was severely wounded. His hip had been blown off by a gun blast. Amanda later told of the personal revelation she received so her son could be healed:
“I [was] there, all that long, dreadful night, with my dead and my wounded, and none but God as our physician and help.
“Oh my Heavenly Father, I cried, what shall I do? Thou seest my poor wounded boy and knowest my inexperience. Oh Heavenly Father direct me what to do!
“And then I was directed as by a voice speaking to me.”
Amanda was instructed to make a washing solution, from the ashes of their fire to clean the wound. Then she was directed to make a poultice out of cloth and slippery elm to fill the wound. The next day she found some balsam and poured it into the wound to soothe Alma’s pain.
“‘Alma, my child,’ I said, ‘you believe that the Lord made your hip?’
“‘Yes, mother.’
“‘Well, the Lord can make something there in the place of your hip, don’t you believe he can, Alma?’
“‘Do you think that the Lord can, mother?’ inquired the child, in his simplicity.
“‘Yes, my son,’ I replied, ‘he has shown it all to me in a vision.’
“Then I laid him comfortably on his face, and said: ‘Now you lay like that, and don’t move, and the Lord will make you another hip.’
“So Alma laid on his face for five weeks, until he was entirely recovered—a flexible gristle having grown in place of the missing joint and socket, … a marvel to physicians.
“On the day that he walked again I was out of the house fetching a bucket of water, when I heard screams from the children. Running back, in affright, I entered, and there was Alma on the floor, dancing around, and the children screaming in astonishment and joy.” (Daughters in My Kingdom, pg. 130-131)
“Power of God”, is about the priesthood and how that literal, God-given power is active each and every day in the lives of women, men, and children alike. It is through covenants that every soul upon the earth can have access to the blessings of the priesthood. As we keep and honor those covenants with God, He pours out daily guidance, direction, and strength to us as individuals.
This song took quite a while for me to write. I felt a weighty responsibility to help listeners, especially women, understand and recognize that men called to administer in the ordinances of the priesthood do not hold a “higher” place in the Church or a “more important” position in God’s eyes. God does not esteem one individual above another and certainly does not support prideful comparisons.
Like Amanda Barnes Smith, as we keep our promises to Heavenly Father, He promises to give us the blessings of this power. It can be active in our lives EVERY day. This song walks through baptism in the first verse, daily life in the second, and making temple covenants in the third. The chorus highlights some of the many blessings that we each experience through priesthood power.
Each one of us has a role in helping others to experience the power of God. I like to picture it this way… my husband has the responsibility to hold the umbrella of priesthood power over our family and those within his stewardship. While his hands are busy holding the umbrella, both of mine are free to gather our children and any others within my reach to the safety and protection if its shelter.
As you listen to this song, take time to ponder your role and how the priesthood of God is and can be active in your life every single day.