Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times

So far while studying this lesson, I've learned that I don't know very much!

Doctrine and Covenants 107:99

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence."

Priesthood supports Family

"He has given you His power to do great things. As you fulfill your duty to God, you will strengthen and bless your family. This is your greatest priesthood duty."
Elder David Beck

Attitude

Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

It is easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows by like a song,
But the man worth while is one who will smile,
When everything goes dead wrong.

Courage

"A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well."
President Monson

Someone has said that courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it.

Duty to God

My next lesson in Relief Society is about the organization of the priesthood, which is part of the reason why I'm posting about priesthood and why I will be studying it for the next little while. I am aware that Grant will be 12 before I know it, and I also realize that he is learning a lot about the priesthood even at age 3. And I am married to someone who holds the priesthood and my daughter will be marrying someone who can hold the priesthood.
There is a new Duty to God program coming out. It sounds like it focuses on helping young men understand their responsibilities and also become better men. Advancing in the priesthood is something that we may consider just a given, but I need to learn more about it so I can appreciate it more. There are people in Relief Society who have sons, or son-in-laws, grandsons, husbands, brothers, etc and women need to learn about the priesthood so we can support it.
Here is an excellent talk by the YM President called The Magnificent Aaronic Priesthood that sort of outlines the new program. I really really like the format of the program and can't wait to get a book- first you learn about a principle and develop a testimony about it (kind of like what I'm doing to teach this lesson) then you make plans to act on what you've learned, and finally you share your experience with others. Sounds like a great teaching model!

The Power of the Priesthood

"The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children might be happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Every law and principle and power, every belief, every ordinance and ordination, every covenant, every sermon and every sacrament, every counsel and correction, the sealings, the calls, the releases, the service-- all these have as their ultimate purpose the perfection of the individual and the family..."
President Packer's talk "The Power of the Priesthood"