***Disclaimer: Before I answer this question I want to make a clarification: This post was not a reflection of my feelings about women in the LDS church. The post refers to oppression of women I see all over society--in many of our structures and institutions--but because I do not believe women in the LDS church are oppressed, the LDS church is not considered to be one of those structures or institutions. My uncle, however, brought up a very relevant question! And he is right: The LDS church is patriarchal. However, while many patriarchal institutions ARE oppressive, just because an institution is patriarchal does not automatically mean it is oppressive. For this reason, I believe we must look at each institution individually and carefully evaluate the experiences of women in that institution.***
Now to the question.
Why does God send his dispensations through men in the Mormon religion? The reason men are the administrators of the LDS church is because men may hold the Priesthood and women may not. Because the Priesthood is necessary in order to run the Church, only male priesthood holders may do so.
This inevitably leads to the question: Why don't women hold the Priesthood?
I don't know. There has been plenty of speculation among church members (i.e., some claim that it is because men have the responsibility of the Priesthood while women have the responsibility of child-bearing), but we must remember there is no validity in these assumptions(!) because there has been no revelation given to the church about why women don't hold the Priesthood. Therefore, the church has no official church doctrine that answers the question of why women don't hold the priesthood--and I think it's wrong for people to make assumptions when we don't have the answer from God. Right now all we know is that God has not given women the Priesthood. This is not because God sees women as a lesser sex. It is men's right and responsibility, and we accept that. Because our church is led by a living prophet, I do not know what will happen in the future. Will God reveal more answers? I don't know. Might women ever hold the Priesthood? I don't know.
People have left the LDS church in anger over the issue of women and the Priesthood, and of course, many feminists don't understand why women would want to be members of a patriarchal church. However, there are plenty of feminists who find liberation and peace in the LDS church, claiming to gain more understanding of their sex through the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite professors falls under this category, and we love to talk about feminism and theology (you might be interested in reading a great piece by her here). We feel God's love for us and feel satisfied and happy in the LDS church. We believe in asking questions, but also in being okay with the fact that we don't know everything at this time.
Personally, I love the fact that the male sex holds the Priesthood--I have no desire to hold the Priesthood because I feel content and at peace with my role in the gospel. I feel at peace with my faith. Of course, I know this is not an intellectual answer--and it can be very unsatisfying for those who are trying to find answers. If I ever find more answers, Uncle George, I will let you know :)
One place I can lead you to is official church doctrine about the Priesthood. This might answer a few questions you may have, although it does not address the issue of women and the Priesthood. The following comes directly from our "Gospel Principles" manual:
What Is the Priesthood?
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth. By this power the universe is kept in perfect order.
Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male members of the Church. The priesthood enables them to act in God’s name for the salvation of the human family. Through it they can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern God’s kingdom on earth.
Why Do We Need the Priesthood on the Earth?
We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs (see Matthew 7:21–23). These important ordinances must be performed on the earth by men holding the priesthood.Men need the priesthood to preside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to direct the work of the Church in all parts of the world. When Christ lived on the earth, He chose His Apostles and ordained them so that they could lead His Church. He gave them the power and authority of the priesthood to act in His name. (See Mark 3:13–15; John 15:16.)Another reason the priesthood is needed on the earth is so we can understand the will of the Lord and carry out His purposes. God reveals His will to His authorized priesthood representative on the earth, the prophet. The prophet, who is President of the Church, serves as the spokesman for God to all members of the Church and all people on the earth.How Do Men Receive the Priesthood?
The Lord has prepared an orderly way for His priesthood to be given to His sons on the earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood “by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (Articles of Faith 1:5).This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses: “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4). Aaron received the priesthood from Moses, his priesthood leader (see Exodus 28:1). Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others, and they can do so only when authorized by those who hold the keys for that ordination.Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves. In the New Testament we read of a man named Simon who lived when Christ’s Apostles presided over the Church. Simon became converted and was baptized into the Church. Because he was a skillful magician, the people believed he had the power of God. But Simon did not have the priesthood, and he knew it.Simon knew that the Apostles and the other priesthood leaders of the Church had the true power of God. He saw them use their priesthood to do the Lord’s work, and he wanted this power for himself. He offered to buy the priesthood. (See Acts 8:9–19.) But Peter, the chief Apostle, said, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20).How Do Men Properly Use the Priesthood?
The priesthood should be used to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children here on earth. Priesthood holders should preside in love and kindness. They should not force their families and others to obey them. The Lord has told us that the power of the priesthood cannot be controlled except in righteousness (see D&C 121:36). When we try to use the priesthood to gain wealth or fame or for any other selfish purpose, “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” (D&C 121:37).When a man uses the priesthood “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41), he can do many wonderful things for his family and others. He can baptize, confirm, and administer the sacrament when authorized by those who hold the keys for those ordinances. He can bless the sick. He can give priesthood blessings to his family members to encourage and protect them when they have special needs. He can also help other families with these ordinances and blessings when asked to do so.Men use priesthood authority to preside in the Church in such callings as branch president, bishop, quorum president, stake president, and mission president. Men and women who hold positions in the Church as officers and teachers work under the direction of priesthood leaders and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost.Along with an understanding of our view of the Priesthood, it's important to realize that each of us--men and women--have agency. Agency, the ability to make choices for oneself, is a significant concept to me as a woman in the LDS faith. Women in our faith CHOOSE to be part of a patriarchal system--because this system works for us. We find purpose and meaning in the LDS church and we choose to be here. We are not forced into anything in the LDS faith. Women, although we don't have the Priesthood, are entitled to receive revelation from God through the Holy Spirit. Because we can receive revelation, we don't have to believe/accept what a priesthood leader says just because he said it. Each of us should seek a witness from the Holy Spirit in order to know for ourselves if the message a priesthood leader shares is what God wants him to teach. As women seek revelation to know what is true, we make choices that are meaningful to us and we thrive in a patriarchal system.
Because women have equal access to revelation from God, we can--along with men--work in the church and enjoy its blessings, even without having the Priesthood. The question my uncle asked is very important and it has encouraged me to want to write what members of the LDS church believe about women, so plan on more posts from me that address women! (Up next: Mother Eve) God bless :)
Why Do We Need the Priesthood on the Earth?
We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs (see Matthew 7:21–23). These important ordinances must be performed on the earth by men holding the priesthood.
Men need the priesthood to preside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to direct the work of the Church in all parts of the world. When Christ lived on the earth, He chose His Apostles and ordained them so that they could lead His Church. He gave them the power and authority of the priesthood to act in His name. (See Mark 3:13–15; John 15:16.)
Another reason the priesthood is needed on the earth is so we can understand the will of the Lord and carry out His purposes. God reveals His will to His authorized priesthood representative on the earth, the prophet. The prophet, who is President of the Church, serves as the spokesman for God to all members of the Church and all people on the earth.
How Do Men Receive the Priesthood?
The Lord has prepared an orderly way for His priesthood to be given to His sons on the earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood “by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (Articles of Faith 1:5).
This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses: “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4). Aaron received the priesthood from Moses, his priesthood leader (see Exodus 28:1). Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others, and they can do so only when authorized by those who hold the keys for that ordination.
Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves. In the New Testament we read of a man named Simon who lived when Christ’s Apostles presided over the Church. Simon became converted and was baptized into the Church. Because he was a skillful magician, the people believed he had the power of God. But Simon did not have the priesthood, and he knew it.
Simon knew that the Apostles and the other priesthood leaders of the Church had the true power of God. He saw them use their priesthood to do the Lord’s work, and he wanted this power for himself. He offered to buy the priesthood. (See Acts 8:9–19.) But Peter, the chief Apostle, said, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20).
How Do Men Properly Use the Priesthood?
The priesthood should be used to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children here on earth. Priesthood holders should preside in love and kindness. They should not force their families and others to obey them. The Lord has told us that the power of the priesthood cannot be controlled except in righteousness (see D&C 121:36). When we try to use the priesthood to gain wealth or fame or for any other selfish purpose, “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” (D&C 121:37).
When a man uses the priesthood “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41), he can do many wonderful things for his family and others. He can baptize, confirm, and administer the sacrament when authorized by those who hold the keys for those ordinances. He can bless the sick. He can give priesthood blessings to his family members to encourage and protect them when they have special needs. He can also help other families with these ordinances and blessings when asked to do so.
Men use priesthood authority to preside in the Church in such callings as branch president, bishop, quorum president, stake president, and mission president. Men and women who hold positions in the Church as officers and teachers work under the direction of priesthood leaders and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Along with an understanding of our view of the Priesthood, it's important to realize that each of us--men and women--have agency. Agency, the ability to make choices for oneself, is a significant concept to me as a woman in the LDS faith. Women in our faith CHOOSE to be part of a patriarchal system--because this system works for us. We find purpose and meaning in the LDS church and we choose to be here. We are not forced into anything in the LDS faith. Women, although we don't have the Priesthood, are entitled to receive revelation from God through the Holy Spirit. Because we can receive revelation, we don't have to believe/accept what a priesthood leader says just because he said it. Each of us should seek a witness from the Holy Spirit in order to know for ourselves if the message a priesthood leader shares is what God wants him to teach. As women seek revelation to know what is true, we make choices that are meaningful to us and we thrive in a patriarchal system.
Because women have equal access to revelation from God, we can--along with men--work in the church and enjoy its blessings, even without having the Priesthood. The question my uncle asked is very important and it has encouraged me to want to write what members of the LDS church believe about women, so plan on more posts from me that address women! (Up next: Mother Eve)
Because women have equal access to revelation from God, we can--along with men--work in the church and enjoy its blessings, even without having the Priesthood. The question my uncle asked is very important and it has encouraged me to want to write what members of the LDS church believe about women, so plan on more posts from me that address women! (Up next: Mother Eve)
God bless :)
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