Forge strong priesthood link
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Some men are part of a long tradition of priesthood bearers in their ancestral lines, while others are the first in their families to bear the priesthood, "but all have the opportunity — and responsibility — either to create or continue" the chain, Elder Keith K. Hilbig of the Seventy reflected in his priesthood session address.
"It is your individual link in that priesthood chain of which I speak tonight," said Elder Hilbig, sustained as a General Authority at last April's conference.
While all priesthood holders are figuratively part of a priesthood chain stretching back to the beginning of the earth, "each of us is now literally engaged in the critical task of creating our own strong priesthood link so as to be joined with our own forefathers and our own posterity," he said.
"If one fails to obtain or honor the Melchizedek Priesthood, his link will be missing, and eternal life will be unattainable."
Whether the first in one's family or the fifth generation to hold the priesthood, each has come to earth with a personal heritage of faithfulness and foreordination, he said. "Such knowledge gives us a firm resolve to always honor the priesthood and, thereby, to create or continue a multi-generational family in the Church and in the celestial kingdom.
"We often define 'priesthood' as the power and authority to act in the name of God upon the earth," he said. "But service to our Savior, our family and our fellow man also defines our priesthood. The Savior intends that we exercise the priesthood primarily for the benefit of others. We cannot baptize ourselves, nor provide the ordinances of the temple to ourselves. Rather, every priesthood bearer must rely upon others to lovingly exercise their priesthood authority and power to help each of us progress spiritually."
