Though the Church is, as Paul stated, of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," the strength of the faith is developed individually, not as a group, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve asserted in his priesthood session address.

Photo courtesy Office of the President

At Saturday morning session are, from left, President Boyd K. Packer, Elders David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard and Joseph B. Wirthlin of Quorum of Twelve.

Elder Russell M. Nelson

He told of a young boy about to undergo surgery. The boy asked the surgeon, before beginning, to pray for him. The surgeon replied that he could not.

"Then the little fellow said: 'If you won't pray for me, please wait while I pray for myself.' There, on the operating table, the boy got on his knees, folded his hands and began to pray. He said, 'Heavenly Father, I am only a little orphan boy. I am awful sick, and these doctors are going to operate. Will you please help them that they will do it right? Heavenly Father, if you will make me well I will be a good boy. Thank you for making me well.' He then laid on his back, looked up at the tear-filled eyes of the doctors and nurses, and said, 'Now I am ready.' "

The boy's physical recovery was complete, and his spiritual power was developing, Elder Nelson said, adding, "You brethren are older and have had the priesthood conferred upon you."

Quorums provide opportunities for friendship, service and learning, he said. "But the responsibility to develop power in the priesthood is personal. Only as an individual can you develop a firm faith in God and a passion for personal prayer. Only as an individual can you keep the commandments of God. Only as an individual can you repent. Only as an individual can you qualify for the ordinances of salvation and exaltation. And when your wife is sealed to you, her power and potential will increase yours."

Elder Nelson noted that authority comes with ordination to a priesthood office but power comes from exercising that authority righteously.

He said that all priesthood holders, from the president of the Church to the newest deacon, are responsible to the Lord.

Obeying commandments, he said, results in one developing power in the priesthood. "The gift of the Holy Ghost can add to that power," he said. "Scriptures tell of people who had received the Holy Ghost but did not know it. Don't let that happen to you. Cultivate that gift and qualify for this promise from God: 'Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea in the very moment, what ye shall say' " (Doctrine and Covenants 100:5-6).

Priesthood carries with it personal responsibility, the apostle said, noting: "When you brethren have an opportunity to exercise the Melchizedek Priesthood, ponder what you are to do. When you lay hands upon the head of another, you are not offering a prayer, which of course requires no authority. You are authorized to set apart, to ordain, to bless and to speak in the name of the Lord."

Elder Nelson said young men, to magnify their priesthood callings, should strive for five personal objectives: gain a knowledge of the gospel of Christ; be worthy of missionary service; keep themselves morally clean and qualified to enter the temple; pursue personal education; and uphold Church standards and be worthy of a future companion.

"Only as an individual can you develop a firm faith in God and a passion for personal prayer."