Right Use of Power

1999-10-31 08:08:00

The Molecular Relationship, Chapter 34

RIGHT USE OF POWER

It is ironical that while sex is probably the most difficult energy to make a commitment about, it is the easiest of the three energies to keep under the direction of the Soul. On the other hand, few will think twice about making a commitment directed toward the right use of power. Nevertheless, it is the most difficult of the three energies to keep under the right-use of soul control. The reason that its misuse is not more obvious to the average person is that he does not have much of this energy to misuse.

There is a lot of truth to the statement "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Few people are able to correctly handle the use of this energy. Even good men such as David and Solomon were not free from its misuse.

When we speak of power, we refer to any power, influence or authority we have over another person's life by position, birth, finances, love, enlightenment, respect or other means. We will sum this energy up by using the single word: "power."

A parent has power over children. The dominating member of a marriage has power over their partner. A lender has power over the borrower. A rich man has power over most poor ones. A boss has power over an employee. A king has power over his subjects. A minister has power over his flock. An editor has power over many people. A guru or teacher has varying degrees of power over his students. A popular person has power over his friends and so on.

When we make the covenant of union, we must all carefully examine our lives to discover the power we have over other people, and ask ourselves how we have been using it. Do we use our power to merely satisfy the separative, selfish, little self or do we use it to benefit our fellow men and women? When we take the Covenant, we promise to use this energy toward union. When power is directed toward union, then we use any power or influence we have over our fellow humans to promote the cause of freedom for all, and bring unity and goodwill to all relationships.

There are three offenses of power that seriously cloud our contact with the Spirit of God:

1. The offense of ignoring the Will of God. If we have power and use it only to satisfy the lower self and ignore the higher Will, then this sin is committed.

2. The offense of ignoring the source of power. The source of all real power comes from the God Within. If we take the powers that are given to us by God and claim them as our own on a personality level, a dark cloud is created that cuts us off from the presence of God. We lose all gifts of the spirit until we are humbled in "sackcloth and ashes."

3. The offense of using power to destroy freewill. This is one of the worst "sins" we can commit, even if we are trying to force someone to do the right thing. Cortez thought he was following the will of God when he forced Indians, against their will, to bow to the cross and acknowledge Christ or be killed. We may think we are doing a good thing when we force a friend to go to church, counseling, or whatever, but unless a person is mentally insane or seeking to take his life, he should not be forced to do anything, right or wrong. He will learn from his mistakes, but he will not learn by being protected from them.

It is all right to influence with knowledge, truth, and facts. This influence still leaves the power of decision in the mind of the receiver. But when we go so far as to say something like: "Do this or I will not loan you the money." "Do this or I will not love you." "Do this or you will go to hell," then we have an attempt to take away the freewill of our brethren. This is terribly wrong.

One of the most inspired writings in the world on the subject of the right use of power was written by Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, on the right use of the Priesthood, or the power of God: "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world (the lower self), and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson - That the rights of the priesthood (power of God manifest on earth) are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven (the higher self), and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the Souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself (no Soul contact), to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the Soul without hypocrisy, and without guile. Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy. That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy Soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." [Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-46]

It is indeed the nature and disposition of almost all men and women to exercise unrighteous dominion when given a little authority. Nevertheless, it is the intent of those making the commitment to do all in their power to use this energy to unite the minds of men with themselves with no loss of freedom of choice.

The effect of living and abiding by this Covenant of union will be very powerful in even one person. Two people will increase its potency not two times, but four times. As numbers are added the whole will always be seen to be greater than the sum of the parts. Great change is always caused by a small number of people. It has been said that we owe the entire Renaissance to about eighty people. A new Renaissance could be created any day by less than this number who are united in the Soul.

The cause is great, the initiates are few, but such is always the case. On the other hand, a unique opportunity is given to those of vision and dedication to truly manifest the glory of God in humankind, to become ensigns to the people of the earth, and to light a light so bright that it can never be extinguished or forgotten so long as the earth shall stand.