The Weight of 'Not Good Enough' and the Priesthood's Shield

There's a persistent whisper that creeps into the heart of every disciple: you’re not good enough. It's a subtle poison, insidious in its power to erode confidence and paralyze action. The Savior, in His ultimate act of obedience, tasted that despair acutely. His cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) isn’t merely a lament, but a glimpse into the profound depths of separation from the Father—a separation that must have stirred that very question within His divine soul: Was I not good enough?

We often recoil from wrestling with such weighty questions. It feels almost irreverent to consider the Savior’s moments of doubt. Yet, it is in understanding the totality of His experience—the suffering, the loneliness, the apparent abandonment—that we can truly appreciate the magnitude of His sacrifice and the depth of His love.

Recently, listening to an episode of the Saints in the South podcast, I was struck by a poignant observation arising from a description of a young women's camp and a sudden storm. The storm itself was significant, but what followed – the power outage, the darkness, and the reliance on priesthood authority – illuminated a vital truth. The young women, faced with a challenging situation, recognized the power of the assembled bishops and the collective priesthood authority present. They understood that this authority acted as a shield, warding off spiritual darkness and preventing harm.

The young women's recognition of the power of the priesthood, and the subsequent chant celebrating that protection, resonates deeply. It speaks to a fundamental principle: that we are not alone in our struggles. When darkness descends, when the whisper of inadequacy threatens to overwhelm, we have access to a power greater than ourselves—the combined authority of the priesthood, diligently exercised by faithful men and women.

This isn't merely a comforting sentiment; it's a foundational truth regarding the Restoration. The priesthood, restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, is not simply a collection of ordinances and blessings. It is a divine power, a force capable of defending against the adversary and sustaining the righteous. The young women at camp instinctively understood this, acknowledging that the presence of the priesthood was instrumental in their safety and spiritual well-being.

Consider the scriptural precedent. Isaiah prophesied of a remnant who would be a “strong nation” (Isaiah 60:21), a people protected and upheld by the Lord. This is not a promise of physical invincibility, but of spiritual resilience, the ability to withstand the trials and tribulations that inevitably come. The priesthood acts as that shield, deflecting the arrows of the enemy and preserving the faith of the righteous.

We, as Latter-day Saints, are called to actively participate in this protection, to diligently seek the guidance of the prophets and apostles, to worthily hold and exercise priesthood authority, and to cultivate a spirit of unity and righteousness within our families and communities. The whisper of 'not good enough' will always linger, but we must cling to the truth that we are not alone, and that through the power of the priesthood, we can overcome.

Let us remember the example of the young women at camp and the profound recognition they had of the priesthood’s power. Let us strive to be a “strong nation,” shielded by divine authority and sustained by unwavering faith.