"Why are they not chosen?"

Hello Everyone! 

It's been a little while since I've written a blog post, my schedule has gotten slightly more hectic as of late.  But today, in consequence with a recent study of it, I would like to comment on a verse found in Doctrine and Covenants 121.  This is a more priesthood-oriented post, but the principles of Christlike leadership and the development of our spiritual power is applicable to all.  

This section, revealed to Joseph Smith Jr., contains great advice for those in suffering and those called to serve in any capacity.  The doctrines and principles contained therein are of great worth.  But I wish to focus on verses 35-36.  In these verses we are told that many are called, but few are chosen.  This phrase is not unique to the Doctrine and Covenants, but also appears in Matthew 22:14.  But what is unique is the sentence immediately following which asks the powerful question "And why are they not chosen?".  A short synopsis is given that simply those that are not chosen by God are the ones that don't choose God.  

In verse 35 it says that the reason is the failure to learn a simple lesson, at least simple on paper for practice is where the true test lies.  This lesson, so key to leading and being an example to the world, is that "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."  These God given rights come with their own instruction manual, they have certain restrictions and organizations.  The powers of heaven require righteous desires and actions in order to have them in our lives.  

President Russell M. Nelson spoke about unblocking the flow of priesthood power and noted several ways that priesthood power can be blocked or restricted.  President Nelson noted that "the flow of power [can be] blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world."  Much like Doctrine and Covenants 121, we lose priesthood power and lose the power and Spirit of God as we act in ways that aren't in line with God's will.  And this doesn't mean we're doing bad things, but we're just not doing the things we really need to be doing.  These small choices can and will limit our spiritual and priesthood power if not bridled like Alma admonishes his son Shiblon to do in Alma 38:12.  Ultimately we are the culmination of all the choices, great or small, that we have made throughout our lives.  And who we are and where we are in the eternities will be determined by the choices, great or small, that we will make through the rest of our lives.  

As we make correct, and if circumstance demands it, corrective choices we will find a new-found power in our lives.  We will have the Spirit of the Lord to guide us and to give us power from heaven to aid us in all aspects of our lives.  

I hope that you all have a wonderful week!

Love, Elder Gailey