Forms and Power of Godliness

Paul warned his young friend Timothy to avoid people that “[have] a form of godliness, but [deny] the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). Jesus extended the same warning to Joseph Smith in 1820. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:19.)

But Mormon taught that angels minister to people “of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness” (Moroni 7:30.) Clearly, forms of godliness are not inherently bad, only when they are disconnected from the associated power.

What is godliness? Most dictionaries define it as adherence to God’s law out of a feeling of genuine love and reverence for Him. So a “form of godliness” without the power describes a hypocritical life, more focused on looking godly than on being godly, whereas “every form of godliness” suggests a total commitment, a desire to follow God’s will both in public and in private.

Peter explains that the power of godliness goes even deeper. God’s “divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” He has “called us to glory and virtue” and promised us that we can be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3-4). So the power of godliness includes God’s transformative power, which helps us develop His attributes and become more like Him.

Where can we find the power of godliness? In 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation in which God explained that this power is available through priesthood ordinances:

This greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-21

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.

“Spiritual Treasures,” General Conference, October 2019

Commenting on this promise, Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained:

This is not only a power we draw upon to serve and to bless. It is also the divine power that works in us to refine and purify us. As we walk the covenant path, the sanctifying “power of godliness is manifest” in us.

“Worship,” General Conference, April 2025

So we strive to align our lives with God’s will, adopting “every form of godliness,” and we participate in ordinances prescribed by God, enabling us to access “the power of godliness.” No matter how much we want to develop divine attributes, we can’t do it alone, so we seek the power as well as the forms. That power enables us to serve and empowers us to change. We become our best selves as we draw upon God’s power to bless and help others.

Today, I will be grateful for both the forms and the power of godliness. I will strive to pattern my life according to God’s instructions, including participation in priesthood ordinances and keeping the covenants I have made with Him.