At church today we learned about the priesthood Heavenly Father has given us on this earth. I had a question about why we needed priesthood blessings for sickness and why faith was not good enough to take care of us (as the title suggests). These are some of the conclusions my priesthood quorum came to in response.

For one thing it helps the priesthood holder to give blessings. It requires them to be obedient and faithful at all times because they know they have the ability to work in God’s behalf, with His authority and power, to serve His children.

Also, we do need faith, but we need to also act on the faith. It’s like saying that if you believe in Christ then that is enough and you do not need to be baptized. But, actions are just as important as having faith. We must make our covenants with God and we must show our faith through giving and receiving priesthood help.

Through giving and receiving priesthood blessings we also learn to respect the authority and power that God has and that He is willing to give us. Through this we learn that He is a completely just God, and will keep up His promises to us as we live obediently.

On top of all of the previous things, we are simply commanded to use the priesthood in serving our fellow man.

Lastly, We have the opportunity through priesthood blessings to help others in seeking salvation. Through the priesthood they become divinely tapped into Heavenly Father’s power, grace, mercy and love, which all move that person (and often times the priesthood bearer) toward Heavenly Father more. Through the blessings received at the hands of someone else we learn that Heavenly Father has provided the means for Him to act directly through someone, which humbles the receiver and the giver.

D&C 84:33-39, “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sactified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.”