Live Up to Our Privileges by Wendy Ulrich

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Book Review of Live Up to Our Privileges by Wendy Ulrich

I have been on a bit of a learning adventure lately. I put both The Priesthood Power of Women by Barbara Morgan Gardner (which I reviewed yesterday) and this book, Live Up to Our Privileges by Wendy Ulrich, on hold at the library. Crazy thing was that I got them at the same time. So, yes, here is another review of a book about women and the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’ve learned so much in the past week!

Blurb:

More and more, women find themselves asking how they can be full and active participants and leaders in the work of building the kingdom—particularly when it comes to priesthood work. After all, the scriptures tell us, “Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter . . . consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood” (D&C 128:11). Especially in recent years, prophets and apostles have assured that women as well as men can serve in the Church, the temple, and the family with priesthood authority and priesthood power. How can women more fully exercise that holy authority in their daily service and work? Best-selling author and acclaimed psychologist Wendy Ulrich explains how, following the Savior’s examples, women can act within priesthood authority and covenants to fulfill their individual missions, help save the human family, and empower rising generations. By qualifying for the gifts of the Holy Ghost and the temple endowment, women can nourish, teach, serve, pray, lead, heal, parent, prophesy, minister, and testify with priesthood power. This book will help you grow in power in the priesthood as you better understand the priesthood authority women have been given, learn to clarify and live your deepest values, and hone the skill of discerning and acting on the promptings of the Holy Ghost—ultimately growing toward your highest spiritual potential. The very promises made by oath and covenant to those who bear the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods were extended by Joseph Smith to the Relief Society sisters. He organized them “after the pattern of the priesthood” and promised: “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. . . .[You] can come in the presence of God.” These promises and privileges belong to all who wish to claim them.

My Book Review:

In case you didn’t read my review on The Priesthood Power of Women yesterday, I’ll restate what I said about a few things. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A common nickname in the past has been “Mormon” because we believe The Book of Mormon to be the word of God, along with the Bible. In our Church, men are ordained to priesthood offices, while women are not. However, both women and men have priesthood power and authority available to them to use in their families and in the roles they serve in, in the Church.

I have not personally been bothered by women not holding priesthood offices, but I know that it does bother some women, and that’s ok. I have, however, had a few questions here and there, especially regarding women in the temple. I was excited to read what Wendy Ulrich could add to what I had just read by Barbara Morgan Gardner.

I loved the style and voice of Live Up to Our Privileges! Wendy Ulrich does such a wonderful job of making you feel loved, heard, and seen when you read this book. It’s welcoming, if that’s possible, with a book. She discusses what priesthood power and priesthood authority are, and how men and women each use both in the Church.

She uses scriptures and quotes to explain and to help you begin to reframe your thinking. I loved how she discussed growing in priesthood power. That’s something we can all do! Another thing I liked was how she took all the different priesthood offices and their responsibilities and applied them each to women. We can do many of the same things and receive many of the same blessings without actually holding the office.

Ulrich is a really good storyteller, and she uses stories and examples of women to teach the principles. I loved reading these examples and learning from these women. She uses a lot of examples from her life as well, and I appreciate the humility with which she presents herself.

I learned so much from Live Up to Our Privileges and have been inspired to do just that and try to more fully live up to my privileges. I have been so blessed in my life and am thankful to my Heavenly Father for those blessings. This was the perfect book to read leading up to Easter as it helped me remember the goodness of God and my thankfulness that He lives!