Authority

Dad joked writing a song on priesthood or Christ's authority could be a bit boring. It has rather turned out the opposite. I remember the morning I was writing. It was challenging. Initially the title was 'Unchangeable Priesthood', interesting but dry. I pondered what was the point? What is gained? What does it mean? Answers opened as the chorus grew and pointed to 'the power of one'. This has taught me so much.

The power of unity with God feels like the essence of Christ's authority. Both the power He received as one with the Father, and the power he extends to those who serve with Him. Unity with God. Enthusiastically empowered action to do what He would do - teach, bless, serve, heal, organise and lead. Ever working to 'bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' Moses 1:39 Becoming His hands. Walking in His name. Answering prayers. Shining God's love to into hungry lives. Exercising keys of the ministering of angels. 'We then, workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain...But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.' 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

When recording it was funny when both Faye and Codie inadvertently sung 'the power of love' on a couple of takes. These could have made the cut. Christ's outreach through ordained and willing servants is in every sense His love ever reaching out. 'No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned' Doctrine and Covenants 121:41

When song-writing I craft words and improvise melodies and harmonies to form resonances. Moments when notes, meaning and emotion combine and amplify. This came powerfully in the bridge 'Walk your own way, Seek your own God, But as for me I will walk in His name'. I wrote it because I couldn't stop thinking about this scripture, 'Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' Joshua 24:14-15

'In the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling...And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.' Alma 13:3-4

Here is a power never employed by its own virtue. Proof of it rarely, if ever, flexes the unfaithful. Those who change their heart and make willing choices of good see and bear it. A privilege held only by holiness. 'No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned' Doctrine and Covenants 121:41

Rather than boredom, what profound excitement. The choice and holy calling to act in the name of Jesus. How quickly world happiness would come if Christ's power were fully employed. A central key conferred in His priesthood is the ministering of angels. Literally, those who work in the power of One become His angels, earthly or celestial. Even the most fraught can find goodness. 'Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing' Moroni 7:25

Where is God in this world?

Where is truth?

Where can I learn while knowing it's not just a gimmick?

Where can I grow?

Somewhere a child may look to the stars and see who they are

Where is given power to bless?

Not just a gimmick, with holiness

Holding power from one

Who gave His Beloved Son

Walk your own way

Seek your own God

But as for me I will walk in His name

Unchangeable priesthood

Order of God

Father and Son blessing everyone

Reaching to thee

Thy servants come

Joyfully giving

The power of one

Here is God in my hand

Here is truth

Where I can learn while knowing its not just a gimmick

Here I can grow

Joined to a Father serving His children

With power of one

Here is given

Power to bless

Not just a gimmick, with holiness

Joined with Father and Son

To serve with the power of one