(May 2005.  Given as a Sacrament Meeting Talk, May, 2005, Woodridge Second Ward, Joliet Stake)

I             Priesthood is the Great Plan of Service

President Stephen L Richards, who served as a counselor to President David O. McKay, declared, “The Priesthood is usually simply defined as ‘the power of God delegated to man.’ ” He continues: “This definition, I think, is accurate. But for practical purposes I like to define the Priesthood in terms of service, and I frequently call it ‘the perfect plan of service.’ … It is an instrument of service … and the man who fails to use it is apt to lose it, for we are plainly told by revelation that he who neglects it ‘shall not be counted worthy to stand.’ ”  (Quoted by Thomas S. Monson in General Conference, April 2005, or Ensign, May 2005 page 54, or LDS.org)