Priesthood authority and power are not the same thing. A person can receive priesthood authority through the laying on of hands—men can be ordained to an office of the priesthood, and both men and women can be set apart for a calling. But priesthood power—God’s power, or “the powers of heaven”—can be used only “upon the principles of righteousness” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36), and both men and women can use this power. If we want our service to others to be powerful and life-changing, we need to be worthy to call upon the powers of heaven.

Do the members of your quorum or class know how to access the power of the priesthood? How might their lives and their service be different if they had that understanding? Ponder these questions as you study Doctrine and Covenants 121. It would also be good to study two messages from President Russell M. Nelson. One is addressed to priesthood holders—“The Price of Priesthood Power” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 66–69). The other is addressed to sisters—“Spiritual Treasures” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 76–79).