God does not want anyone to hesitate to act in his name when they confidently believe that their desires match his, even though they will frequently be wrong.5
God’s power flows to and through people by degrees, according to their similitude to him. While dissimilarity from God impedes the flow of his power,282 it does not stop it. The presence of God’s power indicates that the person wielding it is acting according to the sincere belief that their actions are accordant with the will of God, not that their actions perfectly match what God would do in their place. Any limitation in the person’s understanding of God will cause differences.
It is precisely through our imperfection in understanding that God’s perfect work is accomplished, forming a stepwise chain connecting everyone’s sincere idea of what is best to what is actually best through men of increasingly more godly understanding.
Footnotes
- 1. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. (D&C 123:17) For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25:23) ↩
- 2. For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power. (D&C 71:6) ↩
- 3. For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation (D&C 82:3) ↩
- 4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God. Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you. Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things. (D&C 14:4-6) ↩
- 5. ...whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven. (D&C 132:48) Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that sent me, and I have endowed him with the keys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit sin, and I will justify him. (D&C 132:59) ↩