I have a strong belief in the power of the Priesthood. I believe that the priesthood is God’s power given to man to do His work. I believe that the Priesthood is passed down through worthy men, and that it is ordained of God. I don’t think the Priesthood can be acquired through a program of study, nor can it be purchased. I believe God restored his power of the Priesthood to the earth by the laying on of hands from Peter, James and John to Joseph Smith. So how can I make such bold statements? Because whenever I receive a blessing of the Priesthood I feel a warmth and assurance that is unequaled. I wanted to share my most recent experience with the Priesthood, as a means of sharing my gratitude.

Last fall Tom and I were called to be seminary teachers. That entailed 6:30 AM scriptures lessons every day of the school week, all year long. It meant that even if I had rehearsal and didn’t get home until 11:00, or even if Tom and I were irresponsible and stayed up too late we still had to get up at 6:00. As my Mother has oft told me, “Kjirsti, if you don’t get your sleep you’re going to get sick.” It’s just the way my body works. My body knows this need, and shuts down as much as it can around 10:00, but sometimes I keep minimal parts working until much later, usually resulting in sickness. I make this point solely to point out that logically seminary and sickness should have been paired together. It didn’t dawn on me until week two of my current illness, that when I had been set apart, and given a Priesthood blessing by a member of the Bishopric, he had blessed me that I would be healthy and able to sing, and that teaching seminary would not affect my voice.

That part stood out to me. Bro. Chipman isn’t a musician, he couldn’t have known of my vocal sensitivities. He didn’t know my bodies need for sleep. He simply voiced the words God gave him. I wasn’t sick all year, except of one minor cold over the duration of one week. My voice was strong and consistent.

I was released from my calling as seminary teacher on the 5th of this month, and thus the blessings that came with the calling likewise ended. I have been sick since.

I am so grateful for a father and husband who hold the Priesthood. I am grateful for a grandfather who gave me my patriarchal blessing, I am grateful for countless father’s blessings, I am grateful for the spirit we have in our home on account of the Tom’s priesthood. It is true, it is real.