Priesthood brings people closer to God
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The purpose of the priesthood is to move people closer to God, affording them the opportunity to become like Him and live eternally in His presence, said Elder Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy.
"This doctrine involves both the sons and daughters of God," he said.
Speaking in the final session of conference, he recounted the scriptural restoration of the priesthood authority and keys to the earth, and subsequent emphasis on temple building and ordinance work.
He said that understanding grew as to the eternal scope and power of the priesthood in blessing all His faithful children, whether in this life or the next. "While the priesthood is given to worthy sons of God, His daughters are also part of His people to whom He reveals His priesthood ordinances," Elder Cardon explained.
"The crowning temple ordinance is available only to a man and a woman when they are sealed together forming an eternal family unit," said Elder Cardon. "It is by virtue of this and all other priesthood ordinances that the families of the earth shall be blessed."
He said the priesthood also has power "to change our very natures."
Further, he said, "When a man is ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, he enters into an 'order' by which he may be refined though service to others, especially his own family, and blessed by the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost."
Referring to Doctrine and Covenants 121:46, wherein "the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven," Elder Cardon gave an example of what distil means. A cold glass will collect dew — "without compulsory means, the humidity is able to 'flow into' the glass.... In a similar way, qualities that greatly enlarge the soul, charity toward others, especially our families, and thoughts garnished with virtue adjust our spiritual temperatures to allow the doctrine of the priesthood to distil upon our souls."
