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| taken from lyndeltaukamo.blogspot.com |
Thoughts on Women in the LDS Church
*These are my thoughts, feelings and testimony, and should be treated as such*
For those of who know me, know that I am pretty spunky, head strong, and kind person. In college I pretty feminist and strong willed young woman. I am still pretty opinionated and passionate, but my life experience has broadened my viewpoint on certain issues.
There is a movement in Utah that really has me puzzled. I want to be kind, but I feel like I need to share my feelings on the subject matter. I feel that we hear quite a bit from the side of the movement, but not the other side. What about the millions of women in the LDS church who don't want to be ordained to the Priesthood? What is their story? Why don't we hear more about them in the news? What do the church officials have to say?
I love Elder Oaks who said recently in General Conference, "Priesthood power blesses all of us. Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men."( Oaks)
The following is is how I feel, my thoughts, and my testimony. Other people have the right to believe what they will, but here is my thoughts.
Having been a member of the LDS church for a long time now, I have been in various callings, and participated in various leadership meetings, councils and other meetings. I have always been treated with respect and my voice as always been equally heard. I have never been treated differently because I was a woman. In some cases, they relied on my suggestions because the talents I have. I was never treated unfairly because I didn't hold the priesthood.
If anything the gospel of Jesus Christ has taught me, is that I am a daughter of Heavenly Father, and I have a divine eternal destiny and purpose. This true has shaped me from a shy, quiet teen to a strong woman. This simple truth carries a powerful force that has shaped me. With that knowledge, there is such power. I feel empowered with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have go through the Temple and have received sacred knowledge and power there. The Temple ordinances are available to all worthy members of the LDS church. In recent General Conference addresses, they have done a great job on explaining how the Priesthood works. I will post a link below. If you haven't read it, you should!
I know that gender is an eternal principle and with that comes with it the natural differences. Women and men were created different for a reason, and we all have different strengths and weakeness. With those differences, we can come together and become a better people. In fighting to be the same, it diminishes our differences. Women need to shine! I am woman hear me ROAR! We don't need to be the "same" as men to do that.
As women, we have the sacred calling of bearing, and bringing new life to this world. Isn't that a glorious responsibility? We have a divine calling of motherhood- we help create life and nurture it in this world. Some day I hope that I have this glorious responsibility and honor. We have so many other talents and skills that are so NEEDED! There are so many roles that are vital in the gospel and only a righteous woman can fulfill that role.
Don't forgot that Elder Oaks also taught in General Conference, "How does this apply to women? In an address to the Relief Society, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this: “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are given by the men who hold the Priesthood"
( Oaks)
As women in the LDS church, we have so much.
Instead of fighting, shouldn't we be celebrating our divine natures? Instead of focusing on what we don't have, what about what we do have?
Also don't forget that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is headed by Jesus Christ. It is His Church and I firmly testify that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. It is my sincere hope and prayer that we remember that Jesus Christ is our Savior, in his name Amen.
*Also forgive any grammar errors- my brain goes in 10 different directions
Helpful Links:
General Conference - Keys and Authority of the Priesthood
LDS- Gospel Topics
General Conference- Womanhood the Highest Honor
Great message from Sister Oscarson- https://www.lds.org/church/news/in-video-message-sister-oscarson-encourages-mormon-women-to-reach-out?lang=eng
