Posted by:
SusieQ#1
(
)
Date: April 11, 2013 12:13PM
The current prophets have apparently relied on Doctrine and Covenants 107 - for the general leadership roles of the priesthoods. Members need to be familiar with this section to understand how the priesthoods work in the LDS Church.
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/107?lang=engThe men in these two priesthoods have the authority to officiate, conduct, give blessings, ordinances, etc.
In short: As mentioned before, women are co-partners in the higher priesthood as made clear in the temple ceremonies/rituals. Women wear the same undergarment, and wear the same robes of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the temple. The endowment gives women co ownership. The Plan of Salvation requires that a man and a women be sealed and worthy to receive the Celestial Kingdom. The roles are different, women serve under the men in leadership roles.
In my reading about these women who are asking for some kind of equal rights, it has become clear to me, anyhow, that they have an agenda.
In my observation, women who understand their temple covenants, and their role in the Plan of Salvation, would never petition for some kind of right to officiate in the priesthoods.
It's also my observation that while women often understand this, they don't particularly like it, but they are willing to accept that it's what Heavenly Father wants.
Nearly every religion (not all) has some kind of patriarchal hierarchy of power throughout the history of mankind.
I am convinced that these women making the charge to be given rights to officiate and govern in the LDS Church just as the men do, know that it is not part of the church's doctrine, however, it is a sticking point for women who are not happy with their position/role/place and it's a motivating point to leave the Church. It's likely that is what they want: women to leave the church because they can't officiate in the priesthood.
If these women really wanted to officiate in a priesthood, they would join a different church that allows it.
As a long time believing member (convert), I understood the different roles, how they had evolved somewhat. The problem women have is that they do a lot of the dust pan and broom job of cleaning up after the men make a mess, and they are probably right that they could have done a better job in the first place.
And, it is true that some men misuse their authority.
It's like the old saying: power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Much of what we experience are priesthood men running amuk or with their "halos askew" as I often used to say.
Disclaimer: this is for information only, not a defense of the faith.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2013 12:14PM by SusieQ#1.