Some women are still under the false idea that priesthood and men are synonymous. In this Sunday morning session of April 1984 General Conference, we have a moment of clarity that servants of God are truly called by the power of the priesthood.

First of all, Gordon B. Hinckley speaks. At this time, he is serving as the second counselor in the First Presidency. Both Pres. Kimball and Pres. Romney are almost completely incapacitated, and Pres. Hinckley is doing much of the work. Even so, he testifies that the Lord is in charge of this work. In the calling of two new apostles, he says,

“They were called because the Lord wanted them in this office as men who have a witness of his divinity, and whose voices have been and will be raised in testimony of his reality.

Each is a man of faith. After they are ordained to the holy apostleship and are set apart as members of the Council of the Twelve, they will be expected to devote themselves primarily to the work of the ministry. They will place first in their lives, above all other considerations, the responsibility to stand as special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world.”

These two men, newly called, are Russell M. Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks.

As Pres. Hinckley testifies of the callings of these men, he adds a blessing to the members of this church that they too will be able to testify of the office these men will devote the rest of their lives to.

“May you be blessed in your basket and in your store as you walk honestly with the Lord in the support of his great kingdom.”

Next, Russell M. Nelson speaks about his receiving this humbling calling. He says,

“I have implicit faith in the Lord and in His prophets. I have learned not to put question marks but to use exclamation points when calls are issued through inspired channels of priesthood government.”

As we all know, Elder Nelson, at the time, was a renown surgeon, at the height of his career. In spite of worldly acclaim, he says this:

“The surgeon soon learns the incontrovertibility of divine law. He knows that hopes and wishes are sometimes simply powerless sham. Desired blessings come only by obedience to divine law, and in no other way. My lifetime thus far has been focused on learning those laws. Only as the laws are known, and then obeyed, can the blessings we desire be earned. To this extent, there will be little difference for me in the activities of the past and those of the future. The endless laws of the Lord are the doctrines taught by His Apostles.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, at the time of his calling, is still serving as a Federal Judge and has to complete his term. He will speak in the following General Conference.

A new Relief Society General President is also called during this conference. Sister Barbara W. Winder speaks next. She testifies that she understands where, and by whom, her calling comes from.

“We women are under the direction of the priesthood. I feel that I have been taught by those who have followed that direction to help bring women today through troubled times, to the point of being caring wives and mothers, faithful members of the Lord’s kingdom, and contributing members of the communities in which they live. These are strengths that have been given to our Latter-day Saint women.”

She further mentions Doctrine and Covenants 84, where all of us are told we are accountable to the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.

“And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood” (D&C 84:35-39).

All those who receive the priesthood are those who are baptized and sustain the officers called within the government of this church. Jesus Christ stands at the head of this church. He calls prophets, apostles, and presidents to serve over His Kingdom and we all covenant to follow these leaders.

It is through our faith that we sustain those who are called, particularly, our prophets and apostles and leaders. I emphasize these words—our faith—because not all men or women called to presiding callings remain faithful. But it is through our faith in Jesus Christ, and His priesthood, that we know His work will continue to the very end to fulfill His righteous purposes.