Question Box: Priesthood

Q. What is the LDS position on women as priests/pastors/leaders/whatever they are called?

Well, the church's position is that women are very capable leaders. The women's organization (Relief Society) is led by 4 women (president, 1st counselor, 2nd counselor, secretary) with the same organization in the Primary (children's classes). Women also lead the teenage girls (Young Women Organization) in the same fashion. Women give sermons for the whole church, and they teach sunday school lessons. However, the main body of the congregation (called a ward, or a branch) is led by men.

As far as women being priests, pastors, or whatevers, that just isn't women's job. Okay, that sounds sexist, but it isn't, just hear me out (and know that I am a woman).

See, God isn't running a democracy and He doesn't have to give His power to everyone to be fair. He is running a theocracy; and it works well because He knows everything, understands what we need, and is completely Good.

So He has assigned the worthy men the role of carrying his authority to preside over the church, give Priesthood blessings, and serve as God himself would serve. This is really good for men, in general. It gives them the opportunity and responsibility to take care of others, serve, and become selfless. Men sometimes have a hard time looking outside themselves, and with this responsibility solely on their shoulders, they are solely responsible to God for how they do. If they don't do what they are supposed to bad things can happen. That's how apostasy comes about.

He gave women an equally responsible job--they are in charge of raising their children to be God-loving, respectful, and well-balanced. This is a huge job: like the Priesthood, they are accountable to God for how they do; and, like the priesthood, the responsibility helps them take care of others, serve, and become selfless. If they don't follow through with their duties, and their children grow up without knowing God, or keeping His commandments, bad things can happen. That's why the earth was flooded.

Both men and women are heading for salvation, but since our natures are so different, God has given us different responsibilities to round out our weaknesses and accentuate our strengths. That's why God's theocracy works--everyone in His kingdom is working toward the same goal and He has tailored their roles to get them there.