What is Priesthood, Really?
What is Priesthood, really? Drawing from the scriptures and common Christian teachings, Jennifer challenges assumptions within the Church of Jesus Christ regarding baptism, the priesthood, and confirmation of the Holy Ghost.
For example, the priesthood is often described as a “power” in-and-of itself. Jennifer, however, describes the priesthood as being a sacred covenant—one that enables ACCESS to God’s power through faith, hope, and charity—and explores how faith, hope, and charity are pivotal to utilizing and using one’s priesthood calling affectively.
If you are a Christian navigating depression or spiritual confusion, understanding the truth behind the lies we believe can lead us towards perfect love—or the pure love of Christ. This perfect love casts out all fear (Satan). And where perfect love is and fear is not, depression cannot survive.
Whether you’re seeking a deeper understanding of the priesthood, questioning the traditional teachings of your faith, or looking for faith-based encouragement through depression, this episode invites reflection, conversation, and a renewed perspective on how God’s love—and God’s power—can heal you from depression.
This Episode of the Overcome Depression Podcast is for You If you Want to Learn:
- How the priesthood functions as a sacred covenant, not a power source
- The role faith, hope, and charity play in accessing God’s power.
- About the true nature and role of baptism and confirmation.
- How men and women can honor covenants in the priesthood and within their families
- Practical steps to maintain spiritual hope and combat depression
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood: It’s a Command! A Covenant!
Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-44
33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2
Matthew 26: 36-46
36 ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
John 4:18
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Full Transcript: The Innacurate Belief Fueling Your Depression
Jennifer Stirling-Campbell (01:25)
So this morning, Mike told me that was awakened by our three-year-old son about two in the morning and then he couldn’t sleep and he about some things that he’d had a discussion with the bishop about regarding the priesthood. And he wrote some of those things down, because he was feeling a little confused as some of the ways that the priesthood is taught because it’s always taught as
priesthood power or it’s faith or it comes from faith. And it just didn’t seem to really hone in on what exactly priesthood is because so many in this world over the history of time have power of God, whether they necessarily a Christian or not, to do mighty miracles and do good things, called of God, so I started thinking about some of the things he wrote down.
and memory of scriptures that I’d the priesthood and so forth. So I want to kind enunciate some of those things so that I my head. But basically, going way back to, to When was COVID?
I in a fireside remotely, because they were doing firesides through stake, and I was this particular fireside where this man was talking about misconceptions, teachings surrounding baptism and how for years we’ve been told that it’s washing your sins away. he refuted that, and he said that it’s not about washing your sins away.
It’s about the covenant, Ghost. It’s not about, my gosh, suddenly I have the Holy Ghost now. It’s about the covenant you’re making to receive the Holy Ghost. It’s command. Receive the Holy Ghost. The Lord saying through command or that ordinance, must receive the Holy Ghost. I’m asking you to and to be worthy of it so that you can continue to hear it throughout your life. Again, it’s not
my gosh, I suddenly have the Holy Ghost today. Yay! was always there. But now you’re making the keep it with you and keep Christ’s Spirit with you always. Also, regarding the means washing your sins away.
First of all, Christ was baptized. He didn’t need any sins washed away. And we baptize children the age of eight. And we’re told that anything that happens before that eight-year-old period is of accountability, which means they are sinless. So if a child turns eight at 1201
and they’re baptized at 1201 A.M. Are there any sins that need to be washed away at this point? No! Because they’re innocent before eighth birthday. I mean, if we want to be really exact about it, but the point I’m trying to make is there are no sins to wash away. And if you take even an adult who maybe had some trauma in their life that got them stuck emotionally, spiritually, mentally
age of seven or four. And they were making choices based on their mentality as a four-year-old, even though a grown adult. Are they held accountable? they need sins that need to be washed away? Something to think about.
it’s about the Covenant. So I’m now moving priesthood. Priesthood. the power of the priesthood?
God’s power only or manifested through the priesthood, which is in Mike’s words, a calling. And I want to take it a step further, say that priesthood isn’t just a calling. It’s a covenant. And going back to D&C, the oath and covenant of the priesthood. The oath and covenant, the promise, the covenant between you and God And when you honor that covenant,
It enables power God, which always exists, regardless of whether you have the priesthood or not, and is always accessible to anyone with faith, hope, and charity. ⁓ And perfect hope, as we know from out all fear. And when fear is not present, that is when miracles happen. When you have this perfect hope, you know, like you haven’t seen it happen yet, but you know it’s going to happen.
I just feel it in my bones. I know I’ve received this answer or I’ve received this inspiration. God’s going to do this. I know He will. And you’re just waiting for it to happen. That’s that perfect hope that casts out all fear. You’re not afraid anymore. Charity, the pure love of Christ enables that power to be one who is called, who covenants a priesthood holder. He holds this mantle,
But the priesthood power itself. The power is this all-knowing truth, God Himself is the power, and then the name of Jesus Christ enables that power. those who don’t believe in Christ able to access God’s power? I believe so. they were good and they were pure and they were righteous and they believed in everything that God is.
and honoring all of those covenants that priesthood holders are asked to uphold. Now the power of the priesthood being be amplified by someone, who honoring their covenants fidelity and upholding laws so that it makes ability, that flow of power And going back to faith, hope, and charity, faith, belief,
First of all, what do you believe in? There are lots of places you can access power. There are evil men in this world who have been very powerful. Where was that power coming from? So faith in what? Faith in what? If you’re putting your faith in Jesus Christ and you have that perfect hope that casteth out all fear, which is Satan, Satan out, and then that
charity, that pure love of Christ
Jennifer Stirling-Campbell (07:08)
and love of God, hope in his purposes, willingness to follow his will do whatever He asks. That’s part pure love of Christ, what He did.
when he died on that cross for us.
and when he suffered in Gethsemane. Did he want to do it? No. Kind of. I think he wanted to do it, but he didn’t want to do it because it was horribly difficult. And He asked God if there any out for Him. Do I have to do this? And then He did it anyway. is charity. That is the pure love of Christ.
And on this Easter month, think this podcast is rather appropriate for that reason.
Jennifer Stirling-Campbell (07:48)
Again,
charity, that pure love of Christ
that makes
So pure and so loving. Well, imagine all of that that we just talked about the power, the faith, the belief, the hope, but don’t have charity. Without charity, we’re told in the scriptures, it all available is nothing. It doesn’t matter. It’s not good. You could be using power, but it’s not going to be good. going to be coming from something else. You have to be that charity. You have to be like Christ.
and loving your fellow man, pure and perfect love, not just love-love that we talk about in society, but perfect love, perfect hope, perfect faith. priesthood, calling used by priesthood holders, or women for that matter, we know that women carry the priesthood in the temple and have used their homes.
their families that we can access is amplified by
again, upholding the covenant. The priesthood is the covenant. And when we uphold the covenant and we live true to our covenants, that is when the power of God is manifest. With faith, hope, and charity, the priesthood again is the calling, not the power itself.
So I’d like to thoughts it’s important for that calling, mantle to be passed down. And I would love to scriptural references on priesthood be better understood utilized and given. It’s an honor. It’s a privilege, not a power that can be exerted by men on women or men on, very,
It’s a specific covenant that men are asked to make protect their homes, their families, their women. Maybe women aren’t asked to make that covenant in particular we are more likely to faith, hope, and charity without it. So it’s a special
honor comes specific that men probably wouldn’t take on unless they were given that calling. So just someone with my thoughts.
Jennifer Stirling-Campbell (09:56)
Thank you so much for listening today. I always appreciate feedback. I would love to hear from you about this possibly very controversial topic, if it made you cringe, if it caused you same anxiety to listen to it, if you felt some relief as to some of the truths that I believe I have shared today. name is Jennifer Stirling-Campbell. You’re listening to the Overcome Depression podcast. We’ll see you next time.
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