The Hastening of the Work of the Lord

When the Prophet Joseph Smith was in Kirtland, Ohio, the Lord told him, “Behold, I will hasten my work in its time” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:73). Since that time we have seen the hand of the Lord moving forth His work. We don’t always understand the way He goes about doing things but we can trust that He is in charge. As President Gordon B. Hinckley stated,

“God is at the helm. Never doubt it. When we are confronted with opposition, He will open the way when there appears to be no way. Our individual efforts may be humble and appear somewhat insignificant. But the accumulated good works of all, laboring together with a common purpose, will bring to pass great and wondrous accomplishments” (Gordon B. Hinkley, “God is at the Helm”, Ensign, May 1994).

Examples of the work of the Lord can be found in the scriptures. In Moses, the Lord Himself explained His work, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Other examples of His work include missionary work, temple work, and the work of serving His children here on earth.

In Isaiah we read that, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). We have seen the fulfillment of that prophecy in many ways. I will only list three relatively recent examples.

In 1961 construction on the Berlin Wall was started. “The Berlin Wall [was] a barrier that divided Berlin…Constructed by the German Democratic Republic…the wall completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin” (wikipedia: Berlin Wall). Garold and Norma Davis wrote about the struggles of the church members in the area, and the ray of hope of the Lord preparing a way for the opening of the doors to the gospel again:

“During this time of darkness and difficulty, an event took place that later proved to be a turning point for the Church in the German Democratic Republic. On 9–10 November 1968, mission president Stanley D. Rees of the North German Mission and his wife visited the GDR, bringing with them Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve. Sister Krause recalls: “He [Elder Monson] was so young we thought he was a missionary, because the Mission Presidents often brought missionaries with them when they came.” At a meeting in Gorlitz, Elder Monson promised the Saints of eastern Germany they would have all the blessings other members of the Church enjoyed. Although outward events of the “cold war” in the German Democratic Republic did not seem to be altered immediately, subtle changes began taking place within the Church in that country—slowly at first, but accelerating over the next twenty years.

"On 27 April 1975, on a hilltop overlooking the Elbe River between Dresden and Meissen, President Monson dedicated the German Democratic Republic for the preaching of the gospel. On 24 August 1977, President Spencer W. Kimball spoke to the saints in the Dresden chapel, the chapel that had been converted after the war from an officers’ casino. In August 1982, the Freiberg stake was created. On 23 April 1983, ground was broken in Freiberg for a temple. In June 1984, the Leipzig stake was created, and in 1985, the Freiberg Temple was dedicated. Permission was given to build new chapels for the saints: in Freiberg, alongside the temple; in Leipzig; in Zwickau; in Dresden; and in Karl-Marx-Stadt.

“Finally, in October 1988, it was announced that after fifty years, full-time missionaries would once again be permitted to come from outside the country to establish a mission. A brighter day was majestically dawning over the German Democratic Republic” (Garold & Norma Davis, “Behind the Wall: The Church in EasternGermany (Part 1: Saints in Isolation, 1945–1989)).

It was in November of 1989 that “the East German government announced…that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere” (wikipedia: Berlin Wall). Despite the physical barriers that were in place, the Lord was able to work with the faithful saints to further His work behind the wall.

Another example of the Lord hastening His work occurred in June of 1978. It was at this time that the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaimed that, “all worthy male members of the Church [could] be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color” (Doctrine & Covenants; OfficialDeclaration #2). Since that time the priesthood, together with all the blessings available through it, has continued to spread throughout the earth.

The People’s Republic of China is another example of the Lord hastening His work. Even as recent as 2013, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about the country of China and the work of the Lord there. He said, "The church has no proselyting missionaries in the People's Republic of China…Nor does it have any plans to send missionaries, or to engage in any proselyting activities in China.” (Deseret News, “New LDS site answers questions about Mormons andChina”, 15 March 2013).

On the Church’s website about Mormons and China it states that, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not one of the five recognized religions in China” (www.mormonsandchina.org). However, there is an LDS temple there—in Hong Kong. Elder Monte J. Brough and Elder John K. Carmack explain,

“In 1898 Hong Kong became a British colony with the signing of a 99-year lease, expiring June 30, 1997. In December 1984, British and Chinese authorities signed a declaration confirming that the British government would hand over Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997” (Elder Monte J. Brough and ElderJohn K. Carmack, How the Hong Kong Temple Came to Be, Ensign, December 2006).

Through a series of miraculous events, a temple was built in Hong Kong, and dedicated in May 1996, so when Hong Kong was returned to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 the temple went with it.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has members living in China, but they are encouraged to obey the laws of the land (see Articles of Faith 1:12). “Over the years, the Church has built a strong relationship of trust with the People’s Republic of China by always respecting the important laws and traditions of that country" (www.mormonsandchina.org). The Church is observing Chinese laws and directions on religious activities by not allowing access to this website, containing religious information, to those in China.

The work of the Lord will continue to go forth, and it will be interesting to see how things will work out with the gospel spreading to all parts of the earth. I know that the Lord is at the helm, and in charge of His work. As Joseph Smith stated,

“[T]he Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).

Women, Men, and the Priesthood

I wrote the post below in June 2014, but recently have found an article that I have found very helpful and insightful about women and the priesthood; which also gives men an interesting viewpoint to think about. It is an article by Barbara Morgan Gardner (who was an assistant professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU when this was published). Her article is entitled, "Helping Female Students Rise to Their Spiritual Privileges".

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In the May 2013 BYU Women’s Conference, Linda K. Burton, the Relief Society General President said, 

“We rejoice that we are privileged to live in this season of the history of the Church when questions are being asked about the priesthood. There is great interest and desire to know and understand more about the authority, power, and blessings associated with the priesthood of God….I testify that the Lord is hastening His work, and it is imperative for us to understand how the Lord accomplishes His work so that we may receive the power that comes from be aligned with His plan and purposes” (Linda K. Burton, "Priesthood: 'A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children’, BYU Women’s Conference, 3 May 2013).

I have always had a testimony of the power of the Priesthood. I was raised in a home where I could ask my father any time, day or night, for a blessing – whether it was for health, comfort, guidance, or any other need – and he would be willing and ready. I have never really studied the doctrine of the priesthood because I felt that it just applied to men, and I am content to support and sustain it. Raising a family, however, has helped me realize the importance of both men and women understanding the Priesthood.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke about the priesthood when he said, “How does this apply to women? In an address to the Relief Society, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this: “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 2014). This statement made me realize that the priesthood is not only for men, but for women and children as well – for everyone.

I wanted to take a few moments and share with you a few things I’ve learned about the priesthood.

One thing I found of interest from Sister Burton’s talk is when she said,

“I am learning that women’s moral influence is a complementary gift to priesthood power.” She then gave the following example:

“Let me share a simple illustration of the influence of a righteous woman I know and love.

"One day when my husband was serving as a stake president, he received an urgent phone call requesting his immediate help at a nearby hospital to give a priesthood blessing to a faithful man in our stake. As he arrived, the man’s wife met him at the door. Upon telling the physician that her stake president was there to give her husband a blessing, the doctor informed her that her husband was about to die and she had better prepare herself for the inevitable. Pounding on his chest with her fists, she emphatically opposed him and said in effect, “He is going to be healed. My stake president is here to give him a priesthood blessing, and he will live!”

"Was it the priesthood blessing, offered by a worthy priesthood holder who pronounced a blessing, yet acknowledged the will of the Lord? Or was it the unwavering faith and influence of a righteous woman? Or was it both that brought about the miraculous healing that followed? I like to think Heavenly Father took both into account to bring about the miracle that preserved the life of this husband, who shortly afterward was called to serve as our stake patriarch” (Linda K. Burton, "Priesthood: 'A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children’, BYU Women’s Conference, 3 May 2013).

This reminded me of another faithful woman in Church history: Mary Fielding Smith. She was the 2^nd wife of Hyrum Smith, and mother of Joseph F. Smith (who became the 6^th President of the Church).

“Preparing to migrate west with the Saints in 1848, Mary Fielding Smith faced many hardships. During her stay at Winter Quarters, some of her oxen had been stolen, and many of her cattle and horses had died in the severe winter. Strong oxen were necessary to making the trip west in safety.

"Mary’s son Joseph, then nine years old, was given the job of driving one of the ox teams. Because they didn’t have enough oxen to pull their wagons, they tied two wagons together and used their few oxen to pull both wagons at once. Though this slowed their progress, they managed to make it the twenty-seven miles from Winter Quarters to the Elk Horn River, where their company was forming and where they hoped to obtain more oxen or horses.

"Although Mary managed to get some additional cattle to help pull the wagons to the Salt Lake Valley, the trek still tested and refined her faith. One day one of her best oxen became very sick, lay down, and was apparently near death. Had this happened, she could not have continued on the journey to the Valley. Mary got a bottle of consecrated oil and asked two brethren to administer to the sick ox. Although administration to the sick had only been used for humans, Mary believed that the Lord would heal the animal that she needed so desperately.

"After the blessing, the ox got up and was soon ready to pull the wagon again. Two more times other oxen became ill, and twice more Mary asked the brethren to bless them. Each time, they were healed instantly” (Jane McBride Choate, “Mary Fielding Smith—Mother in Israel”, Friend, July 1993).

To repeat Sister Burton’s question; “Was it the priesthood blessing, offered by a worthy priesthood holder, acknowledging the will of the Lord? Or was it the unwavering faith and influence of a righteous woman? Or was it both?” This got me thinking about how the power of faith relates to the priesthood.

Bruce R. McConkie says it this this way,

“Priesthood is power like none other on earth or in heaven. It is the very power of God himself, the power by which the worlds were made, the power by which all things are regulated, upheld, and preserved.

"It is the power of faith, the faith by which the Father creates and governs. God is God because he is the embodiment of all faith and all power and all priesthood.” (Bruce R. McConkie, "The Doctrine of the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 1982).

The Lord is hastening His work, and we need to be in tune to the Spirit of the Lord so we can know how He works, and in turn receive the power that comes from being aligned with His plan and purposes.

We know that righteousness qualifies each of us to invite priesthood power into our lives. Righteousness comes through obedience to God. A recently returned missionary stated, “obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles.”

We can look at the miraculous examples in the scriptures: Captain Moroni (Alma 48:15-18), or the sons of Mosiah (Alma 17:2-3) from the Book of Mormon. Examples of David, who slew Goliath (1 Samuel 17), or Gideon and his 300 men defeating the Midianite army (Judges 7). One comment I heard recently in Sunday School is that “the Lord can make anything happen, and he will use whatever tools he has available to do it.” Are we living our lives in such a way that the Lord can use us as His tool; that through our faith His power can be accessed? Elder John K. Carmack spoke about faith and the priesthood when he shared the following,

“Recently Elder Tai and I stayed in the Everest Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. One evening the electric power failed. Fortunately two small candles and matches were provided. But instead of about four hundred watts of electric power to light our rooms, our candles yielded only two candlepower, not enough light to allow us to continue our work.

"The priesthood of God is potentially a greater source of power than electricity. Collectively, priesthood brethren perform well, but we fall far short of our potential. Why? Could our problem be that we fail to tap our greatest source of power in exercising our priesthood? Do we trade electricity for candles?

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the priesthood’s dynamic power source. By failing to put faith first in our callings, we reduce the priesthood’s light and power. Other obstacles also block its beneficial rays….

"Rather than relying on faith, we are tempted to stay with the comfortable and tangible tools of our temporal lives to accomplish priesthood callings. The Church has also provided some tools. These tools are useful. They have helped us achieve success, power, and control over our time. They include our natural intelligence; education and training; preparation, with manuals, handbooks, agendas, and budgets.”

He speaks of the benefits of these things, and doesn’t discount them, but, “Add faith, however, and priesthood service becomes magnificent. Two candles suddenly burst into four hundred watts of light. More to the point, we tap into the Lord’s power source, and our actions move in rhythm with His. The Lord compensates for our deficiencies. Vast, unseen reservoirs of dynamic power supply our needs.”

With all this power available, why does it sometimes seem so hard to access it? Let me continue from Elder Carmack’s remarks about things that may block our faith.

“Pride and arrogance block out faith.

"Self-sufficiency, often through financial success, high educational attainment, fame, and honor among men, can keep us from having faith.

"Religious fanaticism can damn our faith. In religion, as in other things, sometimes more is less.

"Alcohol, drugs, salacious entertainment, pornography, and accumulation of material things clog the arteries of faith; and fear, guilt, bitterness, and resentment can choke faith.” (John K. Carmack, "Faith Yields Priesthood Power”, Ensign, May 1993). 

On the flip side, Elder Richard G. Scott, in General Conference of 2012, said “…spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation.” (Richard G. Scott, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life”, Ensign, May 2012).

Elder Carmack continues,

“Yes, Satan throws up many obstacles. He doesn’t want us to have faith…. faith is not an exclusive tool of the priesthood. The Roman centurion held no priesthood, but through faith asked the Lord to heal his servant….The gentile woman of Canaan also tapped into the source of power. Evil spirits had vexed her daughter, and she sought in faith to have Jesus cast the evil spirits out…. we can learn much about faith from such sisters as the woman of Canaan, from our friends of other faiths such as the Roman centurion, and especially from our children. No matter how we learn to use the power of faith, we need to have it to accomplish the awesome tasks assigned to us" (John K. Carmack, "Faith Yields Priesthood Power”, Ensign, May 1993). 

It’s obvious that Satan does not want us to have faith in Jesus Christ - because faith is tied to Priesthood power. God’s power. There has been so much confusion lately about men vs. women and the power, keys and authority of the priesthood.

In the 2011 BYU Women’s Conference, Sister Julie B. Beck said, 

“Don’t confuse the power with the keys and the offices of the priesthood. God’s power is limitless and it is shared with those who make and keep covenants. Too much is said and misunderstood about what the brothers have and the sisters don’t have. This is Satan’s way of confusing both men and women so neither understands what they really have.” (Julie B. Beck, Opening Session, BYU Women’s Conference, 29 Apr 2011).

The adversary does not want us to understand the power of the priesthood, because if we truly did, we would be unstoppable.

Continuing from his earlier message Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

“Truly, there is power in the priesthood—power to do all things!

"If the world itself was created by the power of the priesthood, surely that same power can move mountains and control the elements.

"If one-third of the hosts of heaven were cast down to earth by the power of the priesthood, surely that same power can put at defiance the armies of nations or stay the fall of atomic bombs.

"If all men shall be raised from mortality to immortality by the power of the priesthood, surely that same power can cure the diseased and the dying and raise the dead.

"Truly there is power in the priesthood.” (Bruce R. McConkie, "The Doctrine of the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 1982).

A power that Satan will never have.

With the power of the priesthood being so vital to moving the work of the Lord forward, how can we learn more about it? Sister Burton offers 3 suggestions:

“First, seek to be worthy of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Because the doctrine of the priesthood is best understood by revelation, it is essential to have the help of the Holy Ghost to reveal and distill the doctrine upon our souls….

"Second, the holy temple. We know that the temple “is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth” and is the ideal setting to learn about the priesthood by the spirit of revelation….

"Third, the scriptures. Searching, pondering, and studying the scriptures are invitations for the Holy Ghost to reveal to us important truths about the priesthood.” (Julie B. Beck, Opening Session, BYU Women’s Conference, 29 Apr 2011).

She goes on to give specific scriptures that we can study if we want to learn more about the priesthood.

I know God lives. I know that he is intimately aware of each of us. He is willing to help us become who we can become. I pray that we will choose to make time to learn more about the Lord and His ways, so that we can be instruments in his hands.