Study Guide for "Live Up to Your Privileges"

In her inspiring address, President Emily Belle Freeman, the Young Women General President, shares a deeply personal experience that led her to a profound understanding of the power of priesthood ordinances and covenant promises. As she navigated a challenging time in her family's life, she discovered the strength and divine assistance available through these sacred practices. Drawing on the example of Emma Smith and the revelations given to her, President Freeman invites all members, particularly women, to recognize and access the divine power that can transform their lives and help them fulfill their divine potential.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

How can priesthood ordinances and covenant promises unlock God's power in our lives?
What lessons can we learn from Emma Smith's experiences and revelations?
In what ways can the sacrament and temple ordinances bring divine strength and guidance?
How does President Freeman's personal story illustrate the power of the priesthood?
What does it mean to "live up to your privileges" in the context of gospel ordinances?

Topics

Access God's Power Through Ordinances

President Freeman emphasizes the importance of priesthood ordinances and covenant promises in accessing God's power. She explains that these ordinances, when performed with proper authority, allow us to draw upon divine strength and guidance. By keeping our covenants, we open the door to spiritual sanctification and the ministering of angels.

Priesthood ordinances and covenant promises allow God to sanctify us and then work wonders in our lives.

It’s not only who officiates in the ordinance that matters—what the ordinance and our covenant promise unlock also deserves the focus of our attention.

Why is the authority of the Son of God crucial in priesthood ordinances?
How do priesthood ordinances and covenant keeping work together to unlock God's power?
In what ways have you experienced God's power through priesthood ordinances?
How can you better focus on keeping your covenants to access divine strength?

Learn from Emma Smith's Example

Emma Smith's experience in Harmony, where she received a revelation from the Lord, serves as a powerful example of accessing divine power. Despite personal trials and uncertainties, Emma was reminded of her divine role and potential. Her journey highlights the importance of understanding one's place in God's plan and actively participating in His work.

Emma didn’t just stand at that window and wonder.

Through His divine power, God would heal her heart, enlarge her capacity, and transform her into the version of herself He knew she could become.

What did the Lord reveal to Emma Smith about her role and potential?
How did Emma's understanding of her divine purpose empower her?
Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about your role in God's plan. How did you find clarity?
What steps can you take to actively participate in the Lord's work, like Emma Smith?

Recognize the Power in Sacrament and Temple Ordinances

President Freeman highlights the sacrament and temple ordinances as key opportunities to access God's power. These sacred practices serve as reminders of the divine strength available to help us overcome challenges and become who God intends us to be. The sacrament is a weekly renewal of this power, while temple ordinances provide deeper spiritual insights and blessings.

Partaking of the bread and water is a weekly reminder of His power working in you to help you overcome.

Every time we cross the threshold of a temple.

How do the sacrament and temple ordinances manifest the power of godliness?
Why are these ordinances essential for spiritual growth and strength?
How can you make the sacrament a more meaningful part of your worship?
What blessings have you received from participating in temple ordinances?

Embrace Your Divine Potential

President Freeman encourages individuals, especially women, to embrace their divine potential and become the "elect lady" or "queen" that God sees in them. By living up to their privileges and understanding the power of priesthood ordinances, they can be empowered and equipped to fulfill their divine purpose.

This tiny daughter has the potential to become an elect lady in His kingdom and eventually a queen.

Live up to your privileges.

What does it mean to be an "elect lady" in God's kingdom?
How can understanding priesthood ordinances help you reach your divine potential?
In what ways can you live up to your divine privileges?
How can you help others recognize and embrace their divine potential?

Understand the Importance of Covenant Keeping

The talk underscores the necessity of not just making but keeping covenant promises. It is through faithful covenant keeping that we access God's power and allow it to transform our lives. This commitment to our covenants leads to spiritual growth and the ability to overcome life's challenges.

We don’t just make covenant promises—we must keep them.

It is the combination of priesthood ordinances along with the keeping of covenant promises that allows us to draw upon God’s power.

Why is it important to keep our covenant promises?
How does covenant keeping enhance the power of priesthood ordinances?
What covenants have you made, and how can you focus on keeping them more diligently?
Reflect on a time when keeping a covenant brought you closer to God.