October 24

How Can I Access “the Powers of Heaven” in My Life?

Doctrine and Covenants 121–123

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. What recent experiences have strengthened our testimonies?

• Care for those in need. Who needs our help and prayers? What do we feel impressed to do to help them?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we be a light to family members or friends who don’t share our beliefs?

• Unite families for eternity. How can we show more love and support for our families and make a positive difference in our homes?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Priesthood authority and power are not the same thing. A person can receive priesthood authority through the laying on of hands—men can be ordained to an office of the priesthood, and both men and women can be set apart for a calling. But priesthood power—God’s power, or “the powers of heaven”—can be used only “upon the principles of righteousness” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36), and both men and women can use this power. If we want our service to others to be powerful and life-changing, we need to be worthy to call upon the powers of heaven.

Do the members of your quorum or class know how to access the power of the priesthood? How might their lives and their service be different if they had that understanding? Ponder these questions as you study Doctrine and Covenants 121. It would also be good to study two messages from President Russell M. Nelson. One is addressed to priesthood holders—“The Price of Priesthood Power” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 66–69). The other is addressed to sisters—“Spiritual Treasures” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 76–79).

Priesthood power comes through righteous living.

Learn Together

To begin a discussion about priesthood power, you could ask quorum or class members to share something they learned about this power from their reading of Doctrine and Covenants 121 this week. If it helps, you could suggest that they scan verses 34–46 to find every place the word power is used and then share what they learn. You can use the following activities to help members of your quorum or class better understand how they can access God’s priesthood power in their lives.

• It could be useful to contrast how “power” and “influence” are maintained in the world with what the Lord taught in section 121 about how priesthood power is maintained. You could make a two-column chart on the board with the headings Worldly Power and Powers of Heaven. Quorum or class members could fill in the chart with words and phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46. How can understanding these verses affect the way we seek to influence others for good, including our friends, family members, and those we serve and minister to? According to these verses, how can the Holy Ghost help us influence others righteously?

• To help Aaronic Priesthood holders learn how to bring power into their priesthood service, you could display various objects and ask quorum members to guess how much each object is worth. Why are some of the objects worth more than others? What things are worth the most in our lives, and what price do we have to “pay” for them? Quorum members could then search President Russell M. Nelson’s message “The Price of Priesthood Power,” looking for the price he said we must pay to receive priesthood power. How are our lives and others’ lives affected as we serve with more of the Savior’s power?

• To help young women understand how they access priesthood power, you could ask them to think about times when they have felt God’s power in their lives. Explain that priesthood power is God’s power. They could search President Russell M. Nelson’s message “Spiritual Treasures” for truths about women and priesthood power. What did President Nelson ask the women of the Church to do in order to “draw liberally upon the Savior’s power”? (page 77; see especially the four paragraphs beginning with “Every woman and every man”). When have we drawn upon this power to bless our lives and the lives of others? What does Doctrine and Covenants 121:39–43 teach us about how to act with the Lord’s power in our lives?

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 39–42

• David A. Bednar, “The Powers of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 48–51

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

As you seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and live worthy to access His power, you will be able to teach with power and authority.