Heaven Combines with Earth!

In 1992, when my husband Rich and I were dating, we were in a terrible car wreck together. I was driving and pulled out in front of a car traveling at high speeds on the highway. The other car hit my driver’s side head on.  As I entered awareness, I was terrified, I couldn’t open my eyes due to shattered glass. I felt like I couldn’t breathe or move. Rich could tell my situation was dire. He immediately laid his hands on my head and in the name of Jesus Christ he commanded me to be healed. At that moment heaven combined with earth, and the power of godliness worked a miracle as I physically felt the priesthood power flow through my entire body from the bottom of my feet all the way up and through the top of my head.  I was instantly able to breathe, and in that moment, I knew beyond any doubt priesthood power is God’s power and it is REAL.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude at just how much our Father in Heaven loves us. He blesses us in countless ways while He waits for us to return home again to live with Him and our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we know who He is and our divine relationship to Him. We know that He is our perfect, all loving, all powerful, all knowing, full of all wisdom, Father. It’s been life changing for me to come to know Him. I marvel at who He is!  And I am amazed that He who is the God of the Universe grants His children, here on earth, access to His Holy Power.

As I was taken by ambulance to the hospital I had extensive injuries including a punctured lung, lacerated liver, internal bleeding, and broken ribs. The Doctor came in to see me after tests and x-rays had been done and told me of these and then said, “All of your injuries are healing themselves!”

Priesthood power is God’s power, and God’s authority.  Elder Renlund said “God has given us on earth the portion of His power that is necessary for the salvation and exaltation of the human family.  It is not man made. It is from heaven, pure, and powerful, and also delicate as it can only be used through Christlike attributes. I hope everyone gains clarity on what the priesthood is and it’s function.  We are members of a living church because it is led by a living Christ. How it is ordered and how it is structured is through the intimate involvement of Jesus Christ.”

Our church’s website states, “The restoration of priesthood authority through the Prophet Joseph Smith is a fundamental doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Early in his ministry, Joseph Smith received priesthood authority from heavenly messengers; with that authority, he organized the Church, conferred priesthood upon other men, and ordained them to offices in the priesthood. By this same authority, Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society as part of the structure of the Church, which formally defined and authorized a major aspect of women’s ministry. All this was done to prepare the Saints to participate in the ordinances of the temple, At the time of Joseph’s death women and men could receive and administer sacred priesthood ordinances in holy temples.

My entire childhood my father was not participating in the gospel of Jesus Christ despite having served a 2 ½ year mission to Hong Kong and marrying my mom in the temple. My mother was incredibly committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and raising her children in light and truth. One thing I see now is that she lived in covenant relationship with her Savior and had God’s priesthood power with her as she guided her children.  She would have been amazed to hear President Nelson proclaim, “If you are endowed but not currently married to a man who bears the priesthood and someone says to you, “I’m sorry you don’t have the priesthood in your home,” please understand that that statement is incorrect…you have received and made sacred covenants with God in His temple. From those covenants flows an endowment of His priesthood power upon you.  Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant.  The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.”

I know this was true in the life of my dear mother.  One particular time was when I was 17 years old.  Father in Heaven was able to deeply touch my heart and bring about his work in my life as heaven combined with earth and my mom shared just one sentence with me.  This sentence allowed the spirit of the Holy Ghost to take over, and a vision was opened to me in my mind that changed me forever.  

I’ve also learned Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were always very aware of my dad. The moment his heart was ready Heaven again combined with earth, and the power of godliness was manifest, providing the miracle of his return to activity after over 50 years.  He has now been sealed to his parents with my husband and I serving as proxy.  My mom told me all my life my dad would have a change of heart. She had been promised that in priesthood blessings she had received. My mom has since passed.  I cannot wait to hug her again, and kneel at her feet, and thank her for her faith, her participation in priesthood ordinances, and living inside her covenants to help heaven bring about much needed miracles in our family. 

Our church’s website explains, “Often, we women don’t realize that the power through which we accomplish ‘much good’ in our callings and in our homes is an expression of priesthood power. As a matter of fact, all the good that is done in the world is done through God’s power.  Knowing that women have access to that priesthood power strengthens us to be able to do what is asked in whatever responsibilities or assignments are ours.”

Our prophet is teaching us we can claim our privileges and access the power of God on earth to accomplish everything God asks us to do. The teaching of Nephi comes to my mind, “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” Through participating in the ordinances and covenants of the priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, God has provided a way! Baptism, confirmation, sacrament, all temple ordinances, and covenants. These along with our own personal righteousness will provide the power of godliness in our lives, and we will continue to see miracles and be able to accomplish all the Lord has asked of us as Heaven combines with earth!

I say these things humbly, in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.