"Amen" What Does It Mean?

This is the word we use at the end of prayers. Generally, we use it to indicate agreement with something.

However, in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is a verse in Section 121 that uses the word in a way that doesn't seem to fit the usual meaning:

37 ... when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

"Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man."

Clearly, a man (or woman) who is being left to fight against God is not getting his (or her) authority approved.

So why is the word "amen" used here and what does it mean?

Dictionaries are not exactly canonical scripture, but they can provide important clues.

Dictionary.com says

it is so, ... (used after a prayer ... to express ratification or agreement)

Oxford Online says

Uttered at the end of a prayer or hymn, meaning ‘so be it’.

 and also mentions in definition 1.1 the indication of agreement.

Cambridge says

said or sung at the end of a prayer or a religious song to express agreement with what has been said

So far, it seems to be all about agreement, but it is also used at the end of things.

But "So be it," does not always mean approval.

Also, if you go back and read the actually dictionary in the above links, you'll notice something about "yea, verily" or similar expressions.

Wikipedia currently has an article on the word, which mentions the assertion "truly", etc. Wiktionary has several entries (linked at the top of that page), and pretty much focusing on "so be it" and "truly, verily".

Go back and look at the context in the D&C. The Spirit of the Lord is withdrawn. He is left unto himself. A seal is verily placed on his authority and priesthood, and he cannot get at it.

His effort to glorify God has come to an end. It is verily sealed off.

Any power God might have given him to save others is at an end.

To regain it, he must break that seal, and the only way is by sincere, real repentance. He must change his heart. He must cease to love the praise of mortal people more than the glory of God (John 12: 42-43), or he has received his reward (Matthew 6: 2) and there is no more.

Speaking of Matthew 6: 2, you might think it a non-sequitur, but let's look at Mark 9: 42

42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

And it gets more interesting in the Joseph Smith Translation. Hit the "show footnotes" link near the top of the page and run back down to verse 43. Click note a on the first word, "And". Then go to the bottom of the pop-up and click "View in context".

And read it carefully.

You don't want God to say, "Amen" to your priesthood in this way, just because you thought the authority and power were for you.

Jesus Himself came not to be served, but to serve others. That's what we all have to learn, before we can be worthy of the promise in the end of D&C 121, about the doctrines like dews from heaven.

(If you find yourself on the wrong end of the amen, remember King David. He lost so much, but he was still willing to trust the Redeemer of his soul, and he still believed that what was left to him was better than choosing to be sealed away from God forever. He knew, and we must remember, there is still hope as long as we have the power to choose to turn and look again at God and His Son, and try to put our hope in Jesus' ability to help us change to be better people than we have been.)