See more of the The Universe’s coverage of the 185th Annual General Conference.
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency told priesthood holders at the priesthood session of general conference that their priesthood acceptance brings them the right to speak and act in the name of God.
He said young priesthood holders need to avoid thinking that when they’re older or when they’re called as missionaries they will then know what God would say and what God would do. He encouraged them to prepare now to act.
“All of us must speak and act in the name of God in moments where our unaided judgement will not be enough without inspiration,” President Eyring said.
Moments arise when priesthood holders don’t have time to prepare. President Eyring said it happened to him as a missionary when a father called him saying his critically injured 3-year-old daughter had just minutes to live. As he placed his hands on the one spot of her head not covered with bandages, he had to know what God would say. “The words came to my mind and my lips that she would live,” President Eyring said.
The incredulous doctor asked him to get out of his way, but President Eyring left the hospital room feeling peaceful. The little girl lived and attended sacrament meeting on President Eyring’s last day in that city.
“I still remember the joy and satisfaction I felt from what I had said and done in the Lord’s service for that little girl and her family,” he said.
President Eyring taught that priesthood holders could know God’s will by praying earnestly to him. He said it is easier to get the proper feelings of reverence when one kneels or bows one’s head to approach Heavenly Father. He invited listeners to pray for God to hear their prayers, to get to know him and to know the hearts of those they serve.
“With a prayer of faith, God can grant us power in the priesthood for whatever circumstance we may be in,” President Eyring said. “It simply requires that we ask in humility for the Spirit to show us what God would have us do.”
