President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President
President Freeman speaks about the power of priesthood ordinances and covenant promises in our lives. She shares personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of accessing God’s power through sacred ordinances and keeping covenants. Drawing parallels between her own experiences and those of Emma Smith, she encourages us to recognize our divine role and potential in God’s plan.
The Power of Ordinances
President Freeman begins by sharing her experience partaking of the sacrament in a hospital room during a difficult time in her husband’s health journey. She reflects on how the sacrament, as an ordinance, provided her with the power and strength she needed to overcome challenges. She explains that priesthood ordinances are more than just a ritual—they are a source of divine power that sanctifies us and allows us to access God’s blessings.
“Partaking of the sacrament would increase my companionship with the Spirit of the Lord, allowing me to draw upon the gift of God’s power, including the ministering of angels and the Savior’s enabling strength to overcome.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Doctrine and Covenants 20:77: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.”
- 3 Nephi 18:7: “And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you.”
Keeping Covenant Promises
President Freeman focuses on the need to keep our covenant promises. President Freeman teaches that making covenants is not enough; we must strive to live by them to experience God’s power in our lives. She explains that the combination of priesthood ordinances and faithful covenant-keeping allows God to manifest His power in us.
“Do we realize it is the combination of priesthood ordinances along with the keeping of covenant promises that allows us to draw upon God’s power?”
President Freeman also highlights the importance of wearing the garment of the holy priesthood as a daily reminder of our covenants. She explains that:
“Wearing the garment of the holy priesthood is a daily reminder of the gift of His power working in you to help you become [more like Him]”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Doctrine and Covenants 84:20-21: “Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh.”
- Mosiah 5:5: “And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days.”
Lessons from Emma Smith
President Freeman draws upon the story of Emma Smith, who received a revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 25. She describes Emma’s struggles and how she learned about her place in God’s plan, gaining power through priesthood ordinances and her covenant relationship with God. This serves as a reminder that everyone can find strength through the power of the priesthood.
“Emma would go from being a daughter in the kingdom to ‘elect lady’ to queen. Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances, combined with the keeping of her covenant promises, would increase her companionship with the Spirit and with angels, empowering her to navigate her life with divine guidance.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Doctrine and Covenants 25:1: “Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46: “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.”
Understanding Our Divine Potential
President Freeman emphasizes the importance of recognizing our divine potential and role in God’s kingdom. She speaks about how each covenant daughter of God has the potential to become an “elect lady” and eventually a queen, receiving power from God to overcome life’s challenges.
“Through His priesthood ordinances and the keeping of her covenant promises, God’s power will work in and through her to help her overcome whatever life brings and become the woman God knows she can become.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Romans 8:17: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
- Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
Calls to Action
- “Carefully study and ponder the Aaronic and the Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances, the covenant promises we make with each, and the power of God we access through those ordinances.”
- “Live up to your privileges and allow priesthood ordinances and covenant promises to work in and through you.”
- “Partake of the sacrament with greater intent, recognizing it as a weekly reminder of His power working in you to help you overcome.”
- “Cherish your temple recommend, and cross the threshold of the temple often to access the power of godliness.”