by Saint Mark:
This is a series of sermons that many Latter-day Saints love and believe. I hope these sermons promote and perfect your faith as they do mine. Read or watch this sermon here, or read previous MMM Sermons.
Is this a GQ shot or what? I don't know if they knew they would be Apostles of Jesus Christ one day but it makes me feel better about some of the photos you and I took in Japan, Seattle Jon.At any rate, having discussed the issue of priesthood and patriarchy before, I thought Elder Dallin H. Oaks' October 2010 General Conference address would shed more light on the issue:
Our Heavenly Father has given His children two lines of communication with Him—what we may call the personal line and the priesthood line. All should understand and be guided by both of these essential lines of communication.But how do these two lines of communication co-exist? One principle that emerges from this sermon is that the two lines never contradict each other. Under the Banner of Heaven is a perfect example of how one person goes outside this principle and obviously acts contrary to the priesthood line of communication with deity. Jim Jones and the Kool-aid suicides is another.
Here's an example of both lines of communication working in harmony:
Recent events in the nation of Chile illustrate the need for both lines. Chile suffered a devastating earthquake. Many of our members lost homes; some lost family members. Many lost confidence. Quickly—because our church is prepared to respond to such disasters—food, shelter, and other material aid was provided. The Saints of Chile heard the voice of the Lord through His Church and its leaders responding to their material needs. But however sufficient the priesthood line, it was not enough. Each member needed to seek the Lord in prayer and receive the direct message of comfort and guidance that comes through the Holy Spirit to those who seek and listen.This is in line with the Family: A Proclamation to the World:
By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation."[I]ndividual adaptation" may be necessary and without both lines of communication, the priesthood and the personal, we would be lost, confused, or dysfunctional if we only relied on our own wisdom when crises occur. Having one spouse silently frustrated or passively aggressive against the other or separating ourselves from the prophet and his counsel is not a recipe for happiness and peace.
I'm grateful for God guiding me through the scriptures and his living prophet and for God trusting me through prayer and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost so that I may have peace in my life but also learn and grow at the same time.
