I was sustained by seven women (including my wife) on Monday April 20, 2015. Since that time I had been unable to feel like I had authority and so I just kind of gave up the quest and let people know that it wasn't happening for me, and least right now, and I put it out of my mind, because it was a kind of painful thing for me to think about.

The other day1 I was writing an article about Paul's statement to the Ephesians when he said there was "one Lord, one faith, one baptism". Joseph said the Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence, and Christ said it would bring to our remembrance all things that He has said to us. Well, I experienced that writing this article. It has been one that I have had strokes of ideas for a few months now, but not enough guidance to write it. Well yesterday, the information flowed freely, faster that I was able to keep up with, and the article brought under one head several concepts I had been thinking about regarding the way the Lord organizes His people. Towards the end of the article I wrote about baptism, and how the doctrine of Christ was simple, non-denominational and inclusive. I had read this many times before, but as I was reading to copy the scripture into my article, I felt the words come into me "I give you power". These words were in another part of the chapter, but not part of what I was copying. The words were simple, but had a profound affect upon my soul and penetrated every part of it. I shortly after baptized my kids in our creek, and rebaptized myself.

I am not perfect. I sin. I am trying with great effort to be what the Lord expects of me but I fall short. When I heard those words, it was so humbling. I was so excited because I had waited for what seemed to me to be an eternity and had given up, and I was so humbled that the Lord would grant, even me, this power. Baptism is not for the sinless, it's for the sinner, who humbles themselves, willing beyond odds, to try to do all things the Lord asks of him. There are some things we fail in constantly, but there are some things we can all do, despite our failings. I believe worthiness for baptims has to do with following the doctrine of Christ which is (1) Believe in the Father and Son, (2) Repent, or turn and face and desire them instead of anything else, (3) Be baptized and (4) Christ will baptize us with fire. Repenting has to do with hearing His voice and understanding our error in worship and turning to face Him, and be willing to climb the mountain that it takes to see Him, in contrast to the children of Israel who responded to the invitation Moses delivered, "Nah." The Lord was willing to forgive their gross sins, they just needed to take a step in the direction He asked.

I was ordained to the priesthood by my father. While I was ordained, according to my understanding now, power is received seperately from ordination. In addition power for many things can be exercised through faith without any priesthood at all (See Genesis 14 JST). I believe there is scriptural precedent for the Lord granting, even "wicked priests", a bestowal or renewal of authorization to perform ordinances.

In the case of the wicked priest Alma, who heard the teachings of a man whom God sent, and repented of his idolatry. He taught others the words of this messenger in secret to others in the city. They often retired to the wilderness to teach one another away from the eyes of the king. At one point Alma asked:

"Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" (Mosiah 18:8-10)

When Alma baptized the first who was desirous, he asked for a renewal of authority. He, according to the way Christ revealed the ordiance was to be performed many years later, didn't even have the words of the ordinance correct. Yet the ratification came both before and after the baptism took place.

"And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.

And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.

"And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water. And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God. And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church." (Mosiah 18:12-17)

Likewise when Christ gave authority, there is no record of Him touching the recipients.

"And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did kiss his feet. And the Lord commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him. And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven. And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you." (3 Nephi 11:19-22)

Contrast this with the time when gave his disciples power to give the Holy Ghost. The record is careful to mention three times that he touched them.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them. And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bare record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. And I will show unto you hereafter that this record is true." (3 Nephi 18:36-37)

 

Notes

1. I wrote the article and received power on Sunday, July 26, 2015.