Authority

     During the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ, he spent lots of time teaching people. In preparation for his departure (crucifixion) and to enable his message to reach more people, he enlisted twelve apostles. But before the first century ended, all of the original apostles as well as Paul and other early leaders had been killed and Christians suffered great persecution. From that time forth, there were people who had faith in God and followed various religious practices but there was no one who had the actual authority to act in the name and stead of Jesus Christ on the earth. This time is called the apostasy. In the mid-1800's, Jesus Christ re-established his church with that authority to act in His name once again on the earth. "And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. 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." (D&C 84:19-21)
     These days, there is a general recognition that more and more people consider themselves "spiritual" but not "religious". They believe in some kind of higher power/authority but not in any specific organized religion. What if they could know that God has organized a way for them to know Him and to perform with His authority? Well I believe that is just what has happened. Some people compare priesthood authority to getting a drivers license. You can know how to drive but not have a recognized authority to do so. That only happens when you pass a test and are given a license by the state. The biggest difference between priesthood and a drivers license is that the license is just a determination by an earthly government entity that a person knows enough to drive a vehicle. From then on, what they do with that vehicle is totally up to the driver as long as he doesn't break any laws. The driver acts on his own. With the priesthood, the holder has been authorized (through a line of authority traceable back to Jesus) to act in the place of Jesus Christ, not according to his own desires or decisions. The authority is limited to doing what Jesus would do if He were in whatever circumstance surround the priesthood holder. A driver can drive a car even if he doesn't do it exactly right. Police can't be everywhere so the driver can get away with choosing to drive however he wants if he can avoid getting caught doing something wrong. A priesthood holder has no power if he is not worthy. He can try to do physical motions of putting his hands on someone's head or saying certain words but nothing will happen if there has been no authority given or the holder is not worthy to act in the stead of Christ. A driver can show off and do whatever he decides to do. A priesthood holder is only authorized and able to perform whatever Jesus would have Him do. Physical actions are stopped physically. Spiritual actions can ONLY be performed when done in harmony with the Spirit. Otherwise, there is no power to do anything. The only "test" required is worthiness. But, just as no one can issue himself a drivers license, no one can decide for himself to have priesthood authority.