August 2022 RS Newsletter

 Last week, we studied about Esther in Come Follow Me, but we didn’t get to have a lesson about her.  We are so blessed to have an entire book of scripture to tell her story!  She showed great courage when she went to the king to ask him to reverse the decree to kill her people.  She did not have an invitation to approach him and could have been killed, but she did it anyway.  I am impressed with her courage and her faith.  Her story reminded me of President Nelson’s talk “Spiritual Treasures” from the October 2019 General Conference and my new favorite scripture.

Speaking to the sisters of the Church, our prophet said, “Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God… The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood… Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.”

He counseled us to labor with the Spirit to learn how to access God’s power in our lives.  Around the same time he gave this talk, I discovered my new favorite scripture, Hebrews 4:16: “ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  I now connect this to the image of Esther coming boldly to the throne in her story, with courage and with faith.

I remember the first time I specifically relied on my access to God’s power.  I was getting ready to go to an appointment and smelled smoke in my garage.  As you know, smoke around here could be something from the orchards or a wildfire.  I sniffed around trying to identify if the smoke was coming from inside or outside.  As the time before I needed to leave ticked away, I became more distressed.  What could I do?  I really needed to keep this appointment.  I remembered President Nelson’s talk.  I stood on the steps to my garage and “came boldly to his throne”.  I told Heavenly Father that I had to leave and that this home housed my family.  He had blessed us with this place to protect us.  I requested that He protect my home while I was away.  I had done all I could do, but I now needed His power.  I had courage and faith that He was in charge.

As I have further pondered on President Nelson’s challenge, I have thought about how women around me access God’s power whenever they influence others’ spiritual growth and progress on the Covenant Path.  Sometimes I have identified God’s power in my life as I have been prompted to pray for specific things.  One time while I was cooking dinner, I was prompted to ask for a specific thing that was answered that evening.  Another time, while getting ready for bed, I was prompted to pray for angels to be with one of my boys.  I honestly have no idea why, but when the Holy Ghost brings a thought like that to your mind, you ask!

As President Nelson concluded his talk, he said, “My dear sisters, your power will increase as you serve others. Your prayers, fasting, time in the scriptures, service in the temple, and family history work will open the heavens to you.  I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power.”  I want the heavens to be opened to me and I want access to His power as I serve in my calling, as I minister, and as I serve my family.  I have a great desire to better understand how to do that.  I am doing those things President Nelson said will help open the heavens.  Heavenly Father has power to bless us and He wants to bless us.  I hope we ponder our prophet’s invitation to learn how to greater access God’s power in our lives.