Lesson for September 8, 2013 For the Salvation of the Human Family

September 8, 2013 Relief Society Lesson: Chapter 17—For the Salvation of the Human Family Sister Maggie Kopp gave the lesson on the priesthood and how it helps the human family. She said many people think that lessons about the priesthood are about men only, but she hopes we can share personal experiences to show it is also about women. Lorenzo Snow had some things to say about it. The priesthood is the delegated authority of God given to man. It presides over everything in the gospel. It is so that all people can be good and happy so everyone can share in what makes them happy. The priesthood makes it so anyone in the world can have the gift of the Holy Ghost, temple blessings, and return to Heavenly Father—all alike. The priesthood makes it so we can extend the same blessings to those who have already died. We can counsel with our husbands and so we can help priesthood bearers. We also have the power to ask for blessings. A big part of that is service to our neighbors and families and allowing our husbands to do their callings. We can also give prayers of faith for family, friends, and even those who are not of our faith. President Snow told of going to Italy with missionaries and were confronted with rumors. They decided to share their examples with people in their area. They were able to bless a child through fasting and prayer who was ill and the family. The child became well. Temple service gives all women blessings of the priesthood and make the same covenants and perform the same ordinances. One sister said she and her husband decided to go to the temple once a week while they were dating so they could be worthy to get married in the temple. Sister Kopp said she once did the work for a woman who lived in the time and area she studied for her master’s degree and it was a wonderful experience for her. It was a really special experience. Another sister said she was able to do the work for three people in her husband’s family and she envisioned that family coming back together. Another sister, a convert, said she was able to take her mother’s name through a few days after her own work was done and the missionary who had converted her was able to stand in for her father. Her brother was also part of it and they are the nucleus of their family. Sister Lopez told of going to the temple and making a huge sacrifice in going to the temple. She was able to help with her grandmother’s work and had a love for that grandmother. How does it bless us individually, to do the work for others? We can be good examples to our children and grandchildren and come back happier and that blesses others—encourages them to do their own work. Sister Kopp’s mother works in the temple and it has blessed their lives. Another great blessing is having the priesthood in our homes. Our homes can be blessed every hour because we can be blessed every hour our covenants are kept. Sister Judd said that knowing that we can repent and invite the Spirit back into our homes is such a blessing. If we try to influence others in our homes, if we do it the Lord’s way, it works so much better—that is power, the Lord’s kind of power. When the parents keep the covenants, the family is blessed, even if they decide not to stay active. It still holds the family together—even if one parent keeps covenants. Just go and do.