One of the comments in an online report of General Conference asked, "What is priesthood power? Can somebody make a list for me to think about?"
I have used those words, too, without trying to clarify the meaning or give applications of priesthood power, so I started my list. As we ate lunch with the Smiths between conference sessions, we talked about ways that priesthood power can be used and how the priesthood blesses our lives.

1. The priesthood is the power by which the worlds were and are created; it is God's power.The authorization to use this gift from God in certain situations is given to a boy or man. This is referred to as being given the keys of the priesthood. "In the year 1830 the Prophet Joseph Smith learned of a heavenly messenger named Elias, who possessed keys to bring to pass 'the restoration of all things' (D&C 27:6). "Six years later the Kirtland Temple was dedicated. After the Lord accepted that holy house, heavenly messengers came with priesthood keys. Moses appeared 'and committed . . . the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north." 'After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed' (D&C 110:11–12)."Then Elijah the prophet came and proclaimed, 'Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse' (D&C 110:14–15)."These events occurred on April 3, 1836, and thus fulfilled Malachi's prophecy. Sacred keys of this dispensation were restored." Russell M. Nelson, "The Gathering of Scattered Israel," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 80
2. Joseph Smith could not complete his mission until all the keys which he held were conferred upon the 12 apostles so the work of the Lord could continue, just as Jesus gave his apostles those priesthood powers. There is only one person on the earth at a time who holds all the keys of the Priesthood--The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-- Thomas S. Monson, today.
3. All Priesthood holders have the duty to be worthy to use the priesthood to minister to their fellow men, but different offices in the Priesthood have unique responsibilities.
4. The Topical Guide lists many scriptures that teach us what can be done by those who have the Priesthood: They have power against unclean spirits, serpents; to do great wonders; to bestow the Holy Ghost; perform the ordinances; to ordain other Priesthood holders; and to heal the sick.

A great blessing to parents is the sealing power of the Priesthood which is is operative through the sealing ordinances of the temple. Special powers are given to parents to tether a child to them. Harnessing that power is the discovery of a lifetime and an important step in assuming the work of God. We are novices, and God understands that we are getting on-the-job training. Therefore, he provides for us the principle of grace. Despite our weaknesses and failings, God ultimately is in control. Our children are being worked with by the greatest powers in the universe—and these beings never consider failure as an option. They are very good at what they do—the best! They are the ones who extend the promises and affect the miracles. They understand timing, circumstances and relationships. There really is no way we can distance ourselves from the love of God.
To minimize the power that the Lord has placed within our reach is to disparage the redeeming power of the infinite and universal atonement of Jesus Christ.