Priesthood

This article is not about what the priesthood is, but about how our past understanding of what the priesthood is has limited our abilities to work together as men and women and as equal partners. The proclamation has always declared that ". . . fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."  We are now seeing that expand to all areas of work in the church. 

When I think of the priesthood, (and this is true confession here) I think of the administrative side of the church. The men hold the priesthood and they do the business of the church.  They preside at meetings and they perform ordinances.  Look back at what I wrote about "keys".  That article is all about the who can do what and whys of the priesthood.

When it comes to authority that is different. When each of us is set apart for whatever calling we may have, we are given authority to function in that calling and receive revelation for it. Priesthood power is your own personal righteousness which empowers you and connects you to heaven. This is available to both men and women.

President Oaks in April 2014 Conference said "We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their church callings, but what other authority can it be?"

And yet women still ask, "Will women ever get the priesthood?" I personally think that is secondary to a more important issue.  "Will women have a voice?"

Some of the biggest frustrations I have heard women voice have had nothing to do with wanting to preside over a meeting or officiate in an office. The frustrations have come when men in bishoprics do not listen to or take seriously the concerns of the Relief Society Presidencies, the Young Women Presidencies and the Primary Presidencies. Women are not second to men in understanding the needs of those they serve. No hierarchy of revelation states that you don't have to listen to those who serve under you. The need to be recognized, listened to, and acknowledged is immense. Good leaders do that. They ask questions, they recognize that those who are on the ground level know the most, they listen to their concerns and acknowledge their needs. That is what women want and sadly, it has been slow in coming.

It was no wonder I identified with Jasmine in the movie Aladdin when she sang:

Here comes a wave meant to wash me away.

A ride that is taking me under.

Swallowing sand, left with nothing to say

My voice drowned out in the thunder.

But I won't cry and I won't start to crumble

Whenever they try to shut me or cut me down.

I won't be silenced; You can't keep me quiet

Won't tremble when you try it

All I know is I won't go speechless

Cause I'll breathe when they try to suffocate me.

Don't you underestimate me. 

Cause I know that I won't go speechless.

Written in stone; every rule, every word, Centuries old and unbending

"Stay in your place." "Better seen and not heard", But now that story is ending.

I lay no blame.  Men and women have acted out of honest intent, trying to understand what their responsibilities were.  As I look at my own life, I learned what it is to be a woman from the women in my family, from lessons in Relief Society and from the older women at church.  The problem is I found the model not working for me.  Thankfully, we are in a new age now where women are at last taking a place next to the men, serving right along with them.  The new model is exhilarating.