Peace through Priesthood Power

By Elder Steven R. Bangerter

Of the Seventy

From an interview with Lucy Stevenson Ewell.

When I was growing up, my body struggled with gamma globulin anemia. I had a hard time fighting off germs, so I got sick a lot.

One night I woke up with painful earaches. They hurt so badly that I thought my head was going to explode! I remember my mother and father coming into my room. My mother sat on the side of the bed and cradled me in her arms. Then my father placed his hands on my head and gave me a priesthood blessing. In that blessing, He told me that my Father in Heaven knew me. He was aware of my pain. He would bless me to sleep through the rest of the night.

I soon relaxed, fell asleep, and slept through the night and late into the morning. When I woke up, my ears felt better. But it still took several years before I was completely healed from my illness.

Over the next several years, my father continued to give me priesthood blessings to give me strength. He taught me that those blessings were opportunities for Heavenly Father to speak to me. My sickness became a way for Heavenly Father to help my faith to grow.

Priesthood blessings are available to you and all of Heavenly Father’s children. We all have different challenges. We live in different places and have different families. Some of you may not have a father who can give you priesthood blessings. You can turn to your ministering brothers or Church leaders instead.

One thing is the same for all of us. It is our Heavenly Father’s love for us. We are all equal in the sight of God. Heavenly Father wants to bless all of us through His priesthood power.

I want you to know that Heavenly Father knows you and loves you. He knows your name. His loving arms are reaching out to you.

Illustration by Ben Simonsen