President Boyd K. Packer: 'The power of the priesthood'

The Church has done well distributing the authority of the priesthood — there are quorums of elders and high priests worldwide. But distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood, said President Boyd K. Packer, who directed his Saturday morning address to the families of the Church, particularly fathers.

"The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be," he said.

The president of the Quorum of the Twelve said more than 180 years have passed since the priesthood was restored. There are now nearly 14 million members of the Church. Even so, that number represents but a fraction of the billions of people on the earth. "But we are who we are, and we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel," President Packer said.

He noted that the Book of Mormon has made it clear that the Church will never dominate by numbers — but the Church has the power of the priesthood.

Understanding the power of the priesthood is not limited to the brethren, he added, saying that it is crucial that the sister know as well. "Unless we enlist the attention of the mothers and daughters and sisters, who have influence on their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, we cannot progress. The priesthood will lose great power if the sisters are neglected."

He explained that the priesthood is the authority and the power that God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.

President Packer spoke of a father's presiding priesthood role in the home. It is his right and duty to preside. The Church leader told of a memorable encounter he and President Harold B. Lee had with an LDS soldier during the Vietnam War. The young man was leaving for combat and asked President Lee to give him a blessing.

"Much to my surprise, President Lee said, 'Your father should give your the blessing.'

"Very disappointed, the boy said, 'My father wouldn't know how to give a blessing.'

"President Lee answered, 'Go home, my boy, and tell your father that you are going away to war and want to receive a father's blessing from him."

President Lee then told the soldier to instruct his father on the process of offering a blessing. The young soldier, said President Packer, went away sorrowing.