The True and Living Church

 

[Verse 1] The true and living church Is clearly not obscure With brilliance sure and dauntless Its light spreads out of darkness The Lord looks upon us And all that is within We must repent ever thus Or His light in us grows dim [Pre-Chorus] The keys of the priesthood Will ever lodge on earth To heaven it seals what's good May we more realize our worth [Chorus] The true and living church (hold to the light) The true and living church (we will do what's right) His light in us grows bright His light in us grows bright [Verse 2] To show our obedience We do what is better With God there's no allowance To His laws we must measure In our hearts we do search For each way that sustains As servants of the church We'll heed those God ordains [Pre-Chorus] We've an invitation To aid those discouraged Through our dedication Those lost are encouraged [Chorus] The true and living church (hold to the light) The true and living church (we will do what's right) His light in us grows bright His light in us grows bright [Bridge] Let's range across the land And give to those in need Let's extend loving hands And more spiritually feed And God above who sees Will shed forth glorious light For honoring His keys And for doing what's right [Final Chorus] The true and living church (hold to the light) The true and living church (we will do what's right) His light in us grows bright His light in us grows bright

thoughts from

The True and Living Church

President Henry B. Eyring
Ensign May 2008, 8
obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge
dauntless adjective: invulnerable to fear or intimidation

Picture of Nauvoo temple under construction

dellahill.blogspot.com/2008/02/sunday-story.html

Priesthood

It was for the priesthood
That His church was restored
That we might grow in truth
And light from the Lord

I'm thankful for the priesthood and to see it in action as we just had our stake boundaries realigned. The stakes are stretching and strengthening the Saints.

Heavenly Father

Heavenly Father
Is touching our lives
Through worthy brethren
With the priesthood of Christ

As a loving parent
He wants us to succeed
Through blessings its apparent
He knows our thoughts and our needs

Parental Call

Men hold the priesthood, yes
To be the hands and voice of God
Not to conrol but to bless
As a vehicle of service

Women bear, nurture, and school
Teaching children their worth
Her divine role is beautful
As a vessel, she is fruitful

The man cannot bless himself
Nor can the woman do it all
Each are in need of the other's help
To fulfill their parental call

You Have the Tools

You have the tools and support
To survive Babylon
With the Lord's armor
You have help to go on

You have the Lord's priesthood
To stand against
All the devil would
Use to take your strength

Godly Hands are Patient

Godly hands are patient
Possessing power for good
Working hard as Christ's servants
Holding His holy bright priesthood

We Have Very Positive Feelings

We have very positive feelings
Concerning the future of man
Despite the fact our earth is reeling
And Satan is abroad in the land

For the battle we fight is not of our own
As we go about saving the souls of men
Through the power of the priesthood order is shown
For accessing all the powers of heaven

It has never been easy to live the gospel
Even in Jesus' time this was so
Suffering and opposition comes to God's people
Thus, there are things each member should know:

Priesthood authority now lays planted nearly everywhere
We have quorums of Elders and High Priests world wide
Now is the time for it to be actively shared
Inside the homes where the members reside

Let the young and the old embrace one another
For the family is the order of heaven
Through the presiding authority vested in father
Comes that through which one day the world will leaven

Ye of the priesthood are called forth to stand
Even as Gideon's army... righteously in place
Given great glory, ye have the power of the lamb
Know who ye are and in faith work and embrace

Let no blessing be found wanting in each dwelling
Marshal all efforts to serve and magnify
Let every law, principle, and power... plant to swelling
As it is then, the work of the Father, ye glorify

The Power of the Priesthood
President Boyd K. Packer
Ensign, May 2010, 7

Powerful Priesthood Holders

Powerful priesthood holders
Are the Lord's hands and shoulders
Furthering the Lord's work here on earth
Rescuing because of their worth

May you be found with such power
That, through you, blessings might shower
Even to teaching another how to repent
And keep the spirit ever present

The restored records lead us anew
Unto preserving generations... to do

Becoming More Powerful Priesthood Holders
Elder Walter F. Gonzalez
Ensign, November 2009, 50

Shoulder to Shoulder- Father and Son

Shoulder to shoulder
Father and son
One a little older
Helping each to become

Where there are gaps
Mentors fill in
Not all have dads
Sons or kindred

Young men- truly
You're the better version
Share your dreams fully
Seek advice how to be that person

Fathers- you are heroes
In countless ways
Be the one who knows
Trusted always

Brethren- listen
Value...suggest
Counsel often
Motivate...confess

Dare to have "big talks"
Unto worthiness
That where e'er each man walks
The spirit's there to witness

Fathers and Sons
A Remarkable Relationship
Eldr M. Russell Ballard
Ensign, November 2009, 47

The Brethren Gather As One

The brethren gather as one
To invoke a priesthood blessing
Having been commissioned of the Son
They've words of the Father for expressing

In a circle that's unbroken
Each puts a hand in place
And as the prayer is spoken
There's a unifying embrace

How tender is each word
As it's been sent from above
And with all that is heard
There's a stillness of warmth and love

invoke -verb: request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
Example: "Invoke God in times of trouble" (rhymezone)

Spiritual Strength is a Gift

Spiritual strength is a gift from God
It sustains as we serve one another
When we learn to give all of our might, mind, and strength
Our own burdens ease while we assist our brothers

Like muscles strained to exhaustion
Carrying burdens can help us too
For our natures change to compensate
That we might complete whatever we're asked to do

And what causes this change to take place?
But, the influence of the Lord's Atonement
Which strengthens and fits us for His companionship
To become equal to the task for which we are sent


Henry B. Eyring,
“O Ye That Embark,”
Ensign, Nov 2008, 57–60

D&C 4:2
“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.”

Out of Reverence We Avoid Repetition of God's Name

Out of reverence, we avoid repetition

Of our glorious Heavenly Father's name

For prayer is a humble petition

And no two prayers should be the same

Thus it is for Aaron and Melchizedek

That the two forms of priesthood are named after

Each man having been called to direct

In holy functions with degrees of order

The lesser priesthood has keys from heaven

For sin’s remission, they minister

Alongside the angels, they work often

Through the ordinances they administer

The greater priesthood too has keys

That causes the heavens to open

To lay blessings conditioned upon faith and deeds

 As Heavenly Father’s words flow in

The priesthood order is grouped in quorums

Where decisions are made as wisdom comes forth

For there is holiness and lowliness of heart

As with charity, the fruits of the spirit impart

And he who presides... has governing power

O'er that for which he has been to called to do

The church functions with wisdom and order

As we then witness that we sustain them to

trying to simplify an old poem...
Out of reverence, we avoid repetition of God's name
To do otherwise is to be disrespectful and call down shame
Thus we use the names of Aaron and Melchizedek
For the two forms of God's holy order that does direct

The lesser priesthood has keys from heaven to minister
Along with the angels, for ordinances there to administer
They've the letter of the gospel as there mission
That through our repentance our sins are in remission

The greater priesthood has keys that the heavens do open
To lay blessings conditioned on faith for hope's end
That the Saints might know the will and voice of the Lord
And righteously unify to be of one accord

The priesthood has order and is found in quorums
Where decisions are made as wisdom forth comes
For there is holiness and loliness of heart
With charity, so the fruits of the spirit impart

And he who presides... has governing power
O'er that for which he has been to called to do
The church functions with wisdom and order
As we then witness that we sustain them too

Click on the title to read the scriptures
THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 107
Revelation on priesthood, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, dated March 28, 1835. HC 2: 209–217. On the date named the Twelve met in council, confessing their individual weaknesses and shortcomings, expressing repentance, and seeking the further guidance of the Lord. They were about to separate on missions to districts assigned. Although portions of this section were received on the date named, the historical records affirm that various parts were received at sundry times, some as early as November 1831.
1–6, There are two priesthoods: the Melchizedek and the Aaronic; 7–12, Those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood have power to officiate in all offices in the Church; 13–17, The bishopric presides over the Aaronic Priesthood, which administers in outward ordinances; 18–20, The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all spiritual blessings; the Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels; 21–38, The First Presidency, the Twelve, and the Seventy constitute the presiding quorums, whose decisions are to be made in unity and righteousness; 39–52, Patriarchal order established from Adam to Noah; 53–57, Ancient saints assembled at Adam-ondi-Ahman, and the Lord appeared to them; 58–67, The Twelve are to set the officers of the Church in order; 68–76, Bishops serve as common judges in Israel; 77–84, The First Presidency and the Twelve constitute the highest court in the Church; 85–100, Priesthood presidents govern their respective quorums.

To Learn, To Do, To Be

To learn, to do, to be
Requires great will today
And of us others have need
What more can anyone say?

In these difficult times we face
The priesthood must make endeavor
For then near miracles take place
As for each other we work together

There are those in need of lifting up
To be fed, clothed and given shelter
There are those in swamps of sin- stuck
And there lives are a helter skelter

Ours is a precious privilege
To make a difference in their lives
And we must commit full fledge
To inspire faith as one strives

Let's serve as we've been assigned
And not with timid periodic support
For with the Lord's power we've combined
And assemble to give our best effort

May we yearn more to discern
And learn what we should learn

Too, we should follow through
In doing what we should do

May we seek more to be meek
And more- be what we should be

The priesthood is an honored gift
To which the blessing from heaven attend
It should be used to aid, warn, and uplift
And prepare souls for an eternal end

May the promptings of the holy ghost come
To save us in times of dire need
May we as shepherds find the lost one
And do as the Savior to minister and feed

To learn, to do, to be
Let's yearn anew and see

Thomas S. Monson
To Learn, To Do, To Be
Ensign, November 2008, 60

The Twelve -Year- Old Deacon

The twelve-year-old deacon
Embarks to a new season
And attends his first priesthood session
Where in him penetrates... a deep lesson

As the male voices extol God in song
The young man grows faith that is strong
And to look at him you will soon see
A glimpse of his nobility

To see one at 12 standing stalwart
How can one not ponder and look backward
To a temple two thousand years ago
And of the great wisdom young Jesus had shown

Will this youth too be tested in life?
And have to endure all kinds of hard strife?
Will this youth prove to be a faithful servant?
And please our Father, while becoming observant?

To see a Deacon among his peers
Can bring a parent sweetly to tears
As divine potential rises to birth
To bless the kingdom of God upon the earth

A 12-Year-Old Deacon
Elder John M. Madsen
Ensign May 2008, 55

See the End from the Beginning

We can see the end
From the beginning
As with hearts we tend
To righteous living

If we trust the Lord
And learn to obey
We are in accord
For a chosen way

The priesthood we bear
Is a force for good
We extend God's care
And do as He would

When we're positive
And self- disciplined
We've freedom to live
And with laws we blend

God's hand's over us
He knows what's latent
There is much to trust
That's beyond this moment

We have potential
And God knows each strength
What is essential
To reach high at length?

For the Strength of Youth
Gives temple standards
We must live its truths
To our core innards

Though we are challenged
With uncertain times
We're not discouraged
There's work, as one climbs

Doubts we entertain
And frustrations too
Help Satan to reign
Our ears are his tool

He whispers "give up,
You will not succeed"
But, that's not enough!
We know God does lead

We know we must learn
To follow God's will
For this we must yearn
For this we must thrill

The Spirit tell us
Whom we should follow
Our Beloved Jesus
Our Lord, we'll all know

May we recognize
Our need to convert
The atonement buys
We must not revert

Immortality!
Plus eternal life!
Principality
Bought with all our strife

It is for this end
That we can see now
May our heart now tend
To what God would to endow

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign May 2006

A Common Thread for Priesthood Holders- A Sacred Trust to Worthy Shoulders

We've common thread, we're priesthood holders
We've the power to act in God's name
A sacred trust, to worthy shoulders
And much is expected from this claim

We've opportunities that await
There's a heavenly inheritance
We've seen a glimpse while in this estate
As with His power, we're mighty to advance

On a pathway with forks and turnings
We've obstacles, pitfalls, and snares
We've courage, for "no" on these journeys
As there's a destiny and we've shares

The call for courage comes constantly
And requires that we oft say "yes"
The Prince of Peace pleas, "follow me"
For, there are souls in need, we're to bless

We're strong in our faith and fear not
To stay pure, it's become apparent
That when we've mistepped we should "get out!"
And be led by a wise parent

The Lord's with us on the paths we take
We'll not cower, but show dignity
We've been promised He will not forsake
We'll not affront, but live decently

We've bravery to die manfully
As we'll face all opposition
We'll not compromise to those unruly
We'll master and reposition

We'll touch the hearts of those we serve
While time marches our duty calls
Our hands will raise up God's torch with verve
While we're blessed from His heavenly halls


Thomas S. Monson,
“The Call for Courage,”
Ensign, May 2004, 54

Sanctify Yourselves

Brethren, Be clean
Who are the Lord's vessels
Be sanctified
And ready to act
There is a war
And where you stand is crucial
As we need you
With your priesthood intact

Priesthood bearers,
With emblems of God's power
Flee temptations
And follow righteousness
Come some moment
Unknown 'til that hour
We need your hands
For you've power to bless

Please don't leisure
To where there's diversions
Wrestle with God
As did brother Enos
Engage yourselves
In the clean excursions
There's much to face
As the world's against us

Do not adopt
Neutral ground to battle
The force afield
Knows each square inch taken
They rush headlong
May your faith not rattle
You've the Lord's power
We shall not be forsaken

Be strong, be clean
And revere your priesthood
Prepare, and bless
And pass the sacrament
In your labors
May you choose what is good
As physicians
May you go where you are sent


Jeffrey R. Holland,
“‘Sanctify Yourselves’,”
Ensign, Nov 2000, 38–40

Joshua 3:5
5 And Joshua said unto the people,
Sanctify yourselves:
for to morrow the Lord will do
wonders among you.

We Have it All

We will not fall
For we have it all
Our plate is filled full
Beyond the brimfull

Heav'nly Father
And Heav'nly Mother
Sent us our Brother
And He's like no other

We've the priesthood
For doing what's good
Let's act as we should
Doing as our Lord would

The golden rod
Is the word of God
And where e'er we plod
May we hold to the rod

We have what's choice
Let us now rejoice
We can hear God's voice
As our soul it hoists

The Holy Ghost
Is a Heavenly Host
For what we need most
In our heart it posts

The Light of Christ
Is Holy and bright
Inside it ignites
Wisdom that is right

We have spirit
We've ears to hear it
It is full of wit
And, it's brightly lit

The list goes on
From dusk on to dawn
From dawn to night fall
Our best blessings call

We've gratitude
For Christ's attitudes
We've more latitude
With beatitudes

In the Celestial Kingdom

For an eternal end there are three degrees of heaven
And we ask, to which of these will we be given?
As it's those who have sealings who reach highest story
We can aim for where there is God's Celestial glory

If a person has gained much knowledge
Have they expanded to the very edge?
No, it must be balanced with diligence
As, too obedience combines with intelligence

For the blessings from God to be obtained
It requires some things be abstained
We must be more than just educated
There are laws on which things are predicated

There is an order to priesthood
Where in steps, God is understood
In the new and everlasting covenant
We reach higher, no longer ignorant

When our bodies are purified
We'll see what earth has denied
Our spirits are made of unique matter
That is fine and pure and cannot be shattered

A Father is Tough

A father is tough
When he needs to be
His voice can be gruff
And not so friendly

He stands for what's right
And fights for justice
He's brave and shows might
When there's an injustice

He's sturdy and kind
A strength to lean on
He's someone to mind
And no one to con

And he gets wiser
Through experience
He's a despiser
Of disobedience

Having a daughter
Gives him a soft heart
When she says Father
His heart skips and starts

When he has a son
He renews hobbies
His chores become fun
Which mother lobbies

Whether girl or boy
They want time with him
His thoughts, they enjoy
But, his time runs thin

His role is to work
He provides so much
Of this he'll not shirk
For a man's made of such

He buys a new tool
It alerts neighbors
They think it is cool
And with him labors

All the Dad's gather
And while they work hard
The children gather
And play in the yard

For where Dad is found
They're set to be too
And when he's around
They've not else to do

But there is more here
Of a Father good
He alone can bear
The holy priesthood

He can bless his home
From child to mother
He'll act in God's name
Our Heavenly Father

He can bless neighbors
From his example
Of all his labors
This one shares ample