For the Strength of Youth ~ 2nd Week of September ~ Thursday

Thursday Topic: The Power of Godliness

💎 Eternal Truth: "Through priesthood ordinances and covenants, God's power can become part of my life"

Priesthood authority wasn't restored merely so that the Church could have leaders. It was restored so that God's children could receive ordinances and make covenants with Him.

📖 Read: Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

🧠 Ordinance

An ordinance is a sacred act performed by the authority of God's priesthood.

💭 Think About It

Which of these are priesthood ordinances?

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Sacrament
• Priesthood ordination
• Temple endowment
• Temple sealing

(Answer: All of them)

✏️ Your Life in Ordinances

Make a simple timeline of your life. Mark ordinances you have already received and ones you hope to receive someday.

Saving Ordinances: 

Baptism & Confirmation     Aaronic Priesthood     Melchizedek Priesthood     

Temple Endowment     Temple Sealing

Non-Saving Ordinances, but Essential: 

Baby Blessing    The Sacrament    Patriarchal Blessings

BIRTH

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

TODAY

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

➡️ _____________________________

💭 Think Deeper

An ordinance isn't just a ceremony. Ordinances allow us to make covenants with God, and as we faithfully keep those covenants, we can receive greater access to His power.

📖 Read Again: Doctrine and Covenants 84:20

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

💭 Think About It

• Why do you think the Lord connects ordinances with power?

Think of one priesthood ordinance you have participated in recently.

Perhaps it was:

• taking the sacrament
• attending a baptism
• participating in a confirmation
• going to the temple
• receiving a priesthood blessing

What did you feel or learn about Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ through that experience?

✏️ Today's Question

Where have I seen “the power of godliness” in my own life because of priesthood ordinances?