Courage

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

~Joshua 1:9

When I think of having courage, I think of men and women who overcome fear and do something noteworthy; soldiers defending their nation, victims of crime prevailing over those who caused them harm, firefighters and the ordinary individuals who save someone at the risk of their own lives. Those are the types of people I think of when I think of people having courage.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines courage as that quality of mind which shows itself in facing danger without fear or shrinking; bravery, boldness, valour. I would also say courage has qualities of determination, firmness, dedication, selflessness, and conviction.

However, as Charles Swindoll has wrote, "Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood."

We live in a day and age where religion is once again being attacked and belittled. Many respect others religions, but others say that when individuals practice and are firm in their beliefs they are bigots and prejudiced. I'm an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons. I believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman. That children have the right to be born within matrimony and have both their mother and father. I believe life to be sacred and that children not even born yet have a right their bodies. I believe all bodies should be respected and cared for. I believe men and women to be equal, but fundamentally different. I don't approve of behaviors and choices that contradict these believes, but I still care for and love those that believe opposing views. Yet, for these beliefs I am mocked, ridiculed, condemned, and thought of as prejudiced, hateful, judgmental, and backwards. 

President Thomas S. Monson said, "This inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status."

It's hard to publicly stand for what you believe knowing you have friends and those you care about ready to call you names and say you're an idiot for your beliefs. It's really hard. I just want to stand back, knowing what I believe, being respectful to others, and not cause waves.

Source: http://www.damirkrivenko.ru/htmls/gal-pic35.htm

President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said, “Not unknown are cases where [those] of presumed faith … have felt that, since by affirming their full faith they might call down upon themselves the ridicule of their unbelieving colleagues, they must either modify or explain away their faith, or destructively dilute it, or even pretend to cast it away. Such are hypocrites."

President Monson goes further and says, "None of us would wish to wear such a label, and yet are we reluctant to declare our faith in some circumstances?"

I know that I am frequently reluctant to declare my faith and what I know to be truth when I know that I'll be ridiculed and mocked. I've realized that in this way I am a hypocrite sometimes. How awful! I take great pride and comfort in knowing that I live my beliefs, yet here am I reluctant to declare them and thus making myself a hypocrite.

I realized that I ran the risk of being one of the individuals in Lehi's dream (1 Nephi 8) that reached the Tree of Life and tasted of its fruit, but then was ashamed and fell away. It reads:

And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost (1 Nephi 8:28).

The question I ask myself is how do I become courageous rather than ashamed?

President Monson said, "We can help ourselves in our desire to do what is right if we put ourselves in places and participate in activities where our thoughts are influenced for good and where the Spirit of the Lord will be comfortable. ...  As we move forward, striving to live as we should, we will surely receive help from the Lord and can find comfort in His words."

As we do what God would have us do, he will help us and comfort us. For as Nephi declared, "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7).

Source: prophetpaintings.wordpress.com

Again, as I think of someone with courage, I think of a soldier, or even the classic knight of medieval times, fighting to protect their nation, families, and beliefs. In the scriptures we have been told of how we can protect ourselves from the fiery darts of the wicked by putting on the whole armor of God.

Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. 

Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you; 

Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen. (D&C 27:17-18; also 1 Ephesians 6:11-20).

We can be comforted and protected by knowing the truth, being righteous, being prepared with the knowledge of the gospel and with peace, having faith, making and keeping covenants for salvation, and having the spirit as a companion. If I am fully armored by God, then I cannot be harmed by mockery or ridicule. I'll have peace and comfort in knowing what I'm doing to be right and true. That I'll be okay as long as God is on my side.

Mormon Women: Women's Divine Gifts

I love being a woman. I love knowing I am a daughter of God. I love being a wife to a wonderful husband. I love knowing I will be a mother to our son. I love knowing that my husband and I compliment each other with our strengths and weaknesses, but they we help each other become even better.

I've briefly mentioned how priesthood authority works in the home; how men and women are to be different but equal partners. Spencer W. Kimball has said:

In his wisdom and mercy, our Father made men and women dependent on each other for the full flowering of their potential. Because their natures are somewhat different, they can complement each other; because they are in many ways alike, they can understand each other. Let neither envy the other for their differences; let both discern what is superficial and what is beautifully basic in those differences, and act accordingly.
We had full equality as his spirit children. We have equality as recipients of God’s perfected love for each of us. …
Within those great assurances, however, our roles and assignments differ. These are eternal differences—with women being given many tremendous responsibilities of motherhood and sisterhood and men being given the tremendous responsibilities of fatherhood and the priesthood.

I like seeing the progress that women have made in the work force to be considered equal as men if they can meet the same standards. However, I have a great dislike for women who demand equality but then through their own actions become less feminine and more masculine. They are losing a sense of who they inherently are. "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" states, "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Men and women have been given divine gifts. I love what Ezra Taft Benson said:

You [women] were not created to be the same as men. Your natural attributes, affections, and personalities are entirely different from a man’s. They consist of faithfulness, benevolence, kindness, and charity. They give you the personality of a woman. They also balance the more aggressive and competitive nature of a man.
The business world is competitive and sometimes ruthless. We do not doubt that women have both the brainpower and skills—and in some instances superior abilities—to compete with men. But by competing they must, of necessity, become aggressive and competitive. Thus their godly attributes are diminished and they acquire a quality of sameness with man.

Women have been given the responsibilities of motherhood and sisterhood. We have natural gifts of faithfulness, benevolence, kindness, and charity. We are natural nurturers. Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, "Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures." Is it any wonder we can be so influential in the lives around us?

Source: Hometown Pasadena

The most significant influence is felt in the home. Elder Christofferson also said, "A woman’s moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt or more beneficially employed than in the home. ... In all events, a mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship." Family is the building block of society and governments. Family is where lessons are taught of how to be a citizen, what values are important, how to work with others, and many other lessons both purposefully and accidentally taught. Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated:

When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?

I know my own mother has been a great influence on me. Greater than anything happening in government. Greater than any peer or school influence. The values she has instilled in me in turn cause me to be a citizen, friend, and student she'd approve of. As David O. McKay said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” If mothers (and fathers) fail to use their influence at home to teach their children morals, good values, and how to prioritize, the rising generation is left without them as they become join the work force and begin to run the country. Then things start to fall apart.

David O. McKay also taught:

The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.

Women have a tremendous influence. President Boyd K. Packer said: “The tender hand of the sister gives a gentle touch of healing and encouragement which the hand of a man, however well intentioned, can never quite duplicate.” We are blessed with divine gifts that only we as women naturally have. Men can work and develop such a talent, but for women it is part of who we are.

We frequently here how we women need to support and encourage our husbands, fathers, brothers, sons to fulfill their priesthood responsibilities. We hear how we need to support them as they work to provide for their families. It's all true. However, I heard a story that changed my perspective:

One evening, a man and his wife go to a business dinner of his. At this dinner, people asked the companions what they did. This wife said she was a stay-at-home mother and supported her husband in his job. After saying such a statement, people would lose interest and move on in the conversation. She felt ashamed. She felt like she should say she was college graduate and was working at some prestigious company; then she felt ashamed that she was ashamed of simply being a stay-at-home mother. She loves being a stay-at-home mom and recognize how important such a job is. But she was self-conscious of simply stating that. On the way home from the dinner, her husband was thinking of how his wife does support him in his career and how much she does for him. Then he had an epiphany. Yes, she supports him, but the reason he goes to work every day was so that he could support her in her most important calling of nurturing and raising their children. He supports her so that she could stay home with the children; so that she could be there for them.

Women are just as important as men. Families and societies are greatly blessed to have both men and women. We compliment and complete each other. We are greatly blessed to have the masculine natures of men and the feminine natures of women. As Elder Richard G. Scott said:

In the Lord’s plan, it takes two—a man and a woman—to form a whole. Indeed, a husband and wife are not two identical halves, but a wondrous, divinely determined combination of complementary capacities and characteristics.

Marriage allows these different characteristics to come together in oneness—in unity—to bless a husband and wife, their children and grandchildren. For the greatest happiness and productivity in life, both husband and wife are needed. Their efforts interlock and are complementary. Each has individual traits that best fit the role the Lord has defined for happiness as a man or woman. When used as the Lord intends, those capacities allow a married couple to think, act, and rejoice as one—to face challenges together and overcome them as one, to grow in love and understanding, and through temple ordinances to be bound together as one whole, eternally. That is the plan.

I am so grateful for the knowledge that I am a daughter of God who loves me. I am grateful to be sealed for time and eternity to a wonderful worthy priesthood holder who can bless our children and help them reach for and obtain saving ordinances that will help them become the best individuals they can be. I'm grateful to know that I am just as important and influential in the lives of my children and helping them learn to develop admirable qualities and attributes for the beneficial of themselves, their future family, friends, and society.

Other Resources:

Ballard, M. Russell. "Mothers and Daughters."

Beck, Julie B. “The Vision of Prophets regarding Relief Society: Faith, Family, Relief.”

Benson, Ezra Taft. "Strengthening the Family."

Cardon, Craig A. “A Man of God, A Woman of God.”

Christofferson, D. Todd. "The Moral Force of Women."

Dew, Sheri. "Are We Not All Mothers?"

"Differences Inherent Between Men and Women."

Eyring, Henry B. “Daughters in the Covenant.”

"The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

Holland, Jeffrey R. “Because She is a Mother.”

Howard, F. Burton. "Eternal Marriage."

Hudson, Valerie M. and Richard B. Miller. “Equal Partnership in Marriage.”

“Love Your Wife.”

Maxwell, Neal A. "The Women of God."

Nadauld, Margaret D. "The Joy of Womanhood."

Oaks, Dallin H. “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood.”

Oscarson, Bonnie L. “Sisterhood: Oh, How We Need Each Other.”

Packer, Boyd K. "For Time and All Eternity."

Shumway, W. Douglas. "Marriage and Family: Our Sacred Responsibility."

Thackeray, Rosemary. “Celebrate Nurturing.”

Watson, Faith S. “Faith and Fortitude: Women of the Old Testament.”

"Women’s Divine Roles and Responsibilities."

Mormon Women Series:
Introduction
Ask Questions
The Administration and Membership of the Church
What is the Priesthood?
Priesthood and Women
Women's Divine Gifts

Mormon Women: Priesthood and Women

I hope in the last few posts, you've been able to recognize how women and the priesthood interact. In this particular post, I hoped to be able to go into greater detail. However, for you to really gain a knowledge of this interaction, I've put together a few activities for you to do by yourself or with others. They're adapted from the Young Women Sunday lesson for June 2014: Priesthood and Priesthood Keys.

If you really wish to understand more about how the priesthood and women interact you should study through these activities and seek for understanding and inspiration. There is just so much that can be learned through your own studies when you seek sincerely as I mentioned in "Ask Questions." I wish for you to be able to really appreciate and comprehend how important the Priesthood is and how the priesthood is beneficial to men and women. Women are not insignificant or lesser because they are not ordained the priesthood.

In fact, the First Presidency has recently released a statement saying:

In God’s plan for the happiness and eternal progression of his children, the blessings of his priesthood are equally available to men and women. Only men are ordained to serve in priesthood offices. All service in the church has equal merit in the eyes of God. We express profound gratitude for the millions of Latter-day Saint women and men who willingly and effectively serve God and his children. Because of their faith and service, they have discovered that the church is a place of spiritual nourishment and growth. 

We understand from time to time church members will have questions about church doctrine, history or practice. Members are always free to ask such questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. We feel special concern, however, for members who distance themselves from church doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow them. 

Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy. Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open and deliberate public opposition to the church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine.

Take the time to study. Take the time to search. Be faithful and understand God loves His sons and His daughters and the blessings of the priesthood are equally available to all.

Activity #1: Focus on Priesthood Keys and Blessings.
Read the first three paragraphs and the story about visiting a church in Denmark from President Boyd K. Packer's talk "The Twelve." Teach each other what you've learned about priesthood keys from these talks. What blessings have come to you through the service of those who hold priesthood keys? What are some of the blessings we receive from the priesthood? Can also read: Daughters in My Kingdom Chapter 8 from the introduction up through "Temple Blessings."

Activity #2: Focus on Priesthood Quorums and Relief Society (and other auxiliaries) and their similarities and differences.
Read the section titled "Priesthood Quorums" of True to the Faith. What are the similarities between how Priesthood quorums and auxiliaries are organized? What are the differences? Help the women see that the women of the Church are organized after the pattern of the priesthood (see Daughters in My Kingdom Chapter 8 "Serving in the Church" and Chapter 2 from the introduction through "Early Excitement about Relief Society.")

Activity #3: Focus on the similarities and differences of the duties and responsibilities of priesthood holders and Relief Society sisters.
Write on a piece of paper, "What are the duties of priesthood holders?" on one side and, "What are the duties of Relief Society sisters?" on the other. List as many duties as you can think of an then add to your list the duties you find in D&C 20:46-60, True to the Faith "Relief Society," and "Relief Society: A Restoration of an Ancient Pattern" Chapter 1 and "'Hand in Hand with the Priesthood': Inspired Counsel from Latter-day Prophets" in Chapter 8 from Daughters in My Kingdom. Consider which of these responsibilities you share with men. How have and do the women of ancient times and today participate in the work of the priesthood? How do you see yourselves in the work of the priesthood?

Activity #4: Focus on Priesthood Power and personal righteousness.
List ways in which people in the world gain power (money, education, popularity, good looks, and so on). Read together D&C 121:36-46 and list the principles upon which priesthood power is based. Contrast the world's way of obtaining power and the Lord's way. How does knowing about these principles affect the way you view the priesthood? In what ways can we be righteous to access this power ourselves? Can also read: Daughters in My Kingdom Chapter 2 "Increase Faith and Personal Righteousness" and Chapter 3 the introduction through "Exodus: Sustained by Covenants."

Other great resources:

• D&C 13, 20, 81, 84, 107, 121. Alma 13.
• Daughters in My Kingdom Ch. 2 and 8.
• Elder Oaks, "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood."
• Elder Ballard, "'Let Us Think Straight.'"
• President Packer, "Priesthood Power in the Home."
• Sister Burton, "Priesthood: 'A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children.'"
• Elder Oaks, "Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church."
• Sister Dew, Women and the Priesthood: What One Mormon Woman Believes.

Mormon Women Series:
Introduction
Ask Questions
The Administration and Membership of the Church
What is the Priesthood?
Priesthood and Women
Women's Divine Gifts

Mormon Women: What is the Priesthood?

The Priesthood really is a wonderful gift we have. I don't fully understand it. I'm still learning. But what I do know and have learned has really strengthened my faith and testimony and relationship with God. I mentioned in the "Ask Questions" post of this series that I wasn't ever that concerned about learning more about the Priesthood. I just accepted that God was perfect; He loves us perfectly; He guides, directs, and organized this Church. That was good enough for me.

Or so I thought.

About a month ago, I was asked to teach a Relief Society lesson based off of Elder Dallin H. Oak's April 2014 General Conference address entitled "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood." I really struggled trying to learn from God what it was He wanted me to teach to my fellow Relief Society sisters; the majority of whom are college students, young, newlywed, new mothers, and/or expecting. I felt strongly that the goals of this lesson should be:

1. The sisters learn something new about the Priesthood.
2. The sisters understand more of how the Priesthood applies to them.
3. The sisters gain a desire to learn more themselves.
4. The sisters feel and are inspired by the Spirit.
5. The sisters are involved in their own learning.

You may recognized that these goals are similar to the ones I have for this Mormon Women blogpost series. In this particular post, I hope to focus on the first goal: learn something new about the priesthood. Or even be reminded about things you already knew.

What is the Priesthood?

Priesthood is the power and authority of God. The priesthood is also the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children ("Priesthood"). Elder Oaks said:

President Joseph F. Smith described the priesthood as “the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family.” Other leaders have taught us that the priesthood “is the consummate power on this earth. It is the power by which the earth was created.” The scriptures teach that “this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also” (Moses 6:7). Thus, the priesthood is the power by which we will be resurrected and proceed to eternal life ("The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood").

It's the power that created the world, the galaxy, and us. It's the power by which we are healed and given ordinances whether living or dead to gain eternal life. It's the power and authority o God. It is amazing.

Priesthood Keys
Keys are the rights of presidency, or the power given to man by God to direct, control, and govern God’s priesthood on earth ("Keys of the Priesthood").

One of the girls explained what keys are in a great analogy. You probably have a set of keys: a key to the car, a key to your home, a key to the mailbox. You can't use a key to your home to unlock anyone else's home nor to open your mailbox. A key to your home only unlocks and allows you to open your home. It doesn't unlock office doors, or file cabinets, or cars. It unlocks your home. Now you are probably careful with your set of keys. You don't just let anyone have a copy of the key to your home. You give them to certain individuals you trust and have proven worthy like a close friend or family member. You trust this friend not to make more copies of your house key without your permission and handing them out. They would need your permission to make copies and permission of who to give the copies too.

This is the same way priesthood keys work. They each have a different job. They each 'unlock' something to allow individuals to choose whether they will open the door or not. The May 2012 New Era states:

Priesthood keys are the right to preside over and direct the Church within a jurisdiction. Keys usually apply to a geographic area, like a ward, stake, or mission. They also usually include authority over specific ordinances and activities (for instance, baptism, the sacrament, missionary work, and temple work).

All the priesthood keys come from Heavenly Father through His son, Jesus Christ. The keys belong to them. To give someone a certain priesthood key, they must obtain permission from God Himself. Our modern day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, currently holds and can exercise all the priesthood keys for this dispensation. Others who hold specific keys are Stake Presidents, Temple Presidents, Mission Presidents, Patriarchs, Elder's Quorum Presidents, Bishops, Teacher's Quorum President, and Deacon's Quorum Presidents.

Priesthood Authority
This is where individuals who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those who are not can become confused. The reason for this is because the priesthood authority functions differently in the home and the Church. One very worthwhile talk to read on this matter is another address by Elder Dallin H. Oaks entitled "Priesthood Authority in the Family and in the Church."

In the Church
You receive authority from those who hold priesthood keys. You can be a man or a woman to receive this authority, but not all men or women have it. When you are extended and receive a call, and are set apart, you are given priesthood authority for that calling. For example, I was extended a call to be a Relief Society Teacher. I accepted the call. I was sustained in Sacrament meeting by the ward. I was then set apart in my calling as a Relief Society Teacher. As such, I have priesthood authority to teach Relief Society and as such I will be blessed and inspired for that calling. When I am released, I will no longer have that authority to be a Relief Society Teacher. Same goes for Relief Society Presidents, Primary Presidents, Quorum Presidents, and all other callings. President Boyd K. Packer said,

The Relief Society works under the direction of the Melchizedek Priesthood, for "all other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood." It was organized "after the pattern of the priesthood" (Daughters in My Kingdom).

This is where the world gets so confused! Even our own members! While sisters are not ordained the priesthood, we enjoy all the blessings and powers of the priesthood and even the authority of the priesthood in our callings! Just like the men! The world thinks that in order for women to have a say and participate in a church, you have to be part of the "clergy" or be ordained the priesthood. Other churches have done so. But in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do not have a paid clergy. I've talked more about this in my "Administration and Membership of the Church" post.

This is how it has always been since Relief Society was formed under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood on 17 March 1842. How do women think themselves as less? How could they think that God or the Prophet feels thusly? We sisters are more involved in our Church than the world realizes. As I was telling this to my husband, he said, "The world knows just enough about the matter to know nothing at all." I agree. They only realize we women aren't ordained the priesthood. But we still can be given its authority, and receive its power and blessings.

In the Home

"A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical. The concept of partnership functions differently in the family than in the Church" ("Priesthood Authority in the Family and in the Church").

A man and a women are sealed in the temple. This is when the husband receives the things mentioned in D&C 131. He can enter into the highest degree in the celestial kingdom. Same to the wife. Elder Oaks also said,

The greatest power God has given to His sons cannot be exercised without the companionship of one of His daughters, because only to His daughters has God given the power 'to be a creator of bodies ... so that God's design and the Great Plan might meet fruition ("The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood").

Men and women are meant to be together. Before I married my husband I really did not feel complete. Yes, I made my life full, but it wasn't complete. Then we married. and it just felt right. It was just good. Remember Moses 3:24? It reads, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh" (emphasis added). I loved what Elder Ballard said,

Men and women have different gifts, different strengths, and different points of view and inclinations. That is one of the fundamental reasons why we need each other. It takes a man and a woman to create a family, and it takes men and women to carry out the work of the Lord in the Church. A husband and wife righteously working together complete each other ("'Let Us Think Straight'").

A man and a woman complete each other when they are righteously working together. That's how I feel with my husband. I don't feel lesser. President Spencer W. Kimball once said,

When we speak of marriage as a partnership, let us speak of marriage as a full partnership. We do not want our LDS women to be silent partners or limited partners in that eternal assignment! Please be a contributing and full partner ("Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters").

Now what does this have to do with priesthood authority in the home? Well, realize that when a couple is married we have certain responsibilities.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World states many responsibilities of a couple in regards to their family. In addition it says,

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners (emphasis added).

The father who is sealed in the temple is a Melchizedek priesthood holder. As such, he holds priesthood authority in the home to be a husband and father and preside in righteousness, provide and protect his family. The wife, through the sealing, is given priesthood authority to be a wife and mother to nurture children. Elder Oaks states, "This family authority includes directing of the activities of the family, family meetings like family home evenings, family prayer, teaching the gospel, and counseling and disciplining family members. It also includes ordained fathers giving priesthood blessings" ("Priesthood Authority in the Family and in the Church").

The following is an example of how priesthood authority works in the home when the father is not present. Elder Oaks told this story:

My father died when I was seven. I was the oldest of three small children our widowed mother struggled to raise. When I was ordained a deacon, she said how pleased she was to have a priesthood holder in the home. But Mother continued to direct the family, including calling on which one of us would pray when we knelt together each morning. ...When my father died, my mother presided over our family. She had no priesthood office, but as the surviving parent in her marriage she had become the governing officer in her family. At the same time, she was always totally respectful of the priesthood authority of our bishop and other Church leaders. She presided over her family, but they presided over the Church. ...The faithful widowed mother who raised us had no confusion about the eternal nature of the family. She always honored the position of our deceased father. She made him a presence in our home. She spoke of the eternal duration of their temple marriage. She often reminded us of what our father would like us to do so we could realize the Savior's promise that we could be a family forever (Daughters in My Kingdom).

Do you see? A husband and wife have primary responsibilities. Yet we are obligated to help each other as equal partners. We are together. We are complete. We are "one flesh." As long as we are working righteously together. This is how the priesthood authority works in the home.

Priesthood Power and Blessings
Sister Elaine L. Jack said in Daughters in My Kingdom, "When we receive the blessings of the priesthood, we are drawing on the power and grace of God." We already have mentioned how priesthood literally is the power of God. Through this power, which is accessible by everyone, we can receive ordinances, make covenants, receive priesthood blessings (healing, comfort and counsel, baby blessing, father's blessings). But there are even more blessings we receive from the priesthood that aren't technically called priesthood blessings via laying on of hands. For example, all the blessings we receive because of covenants and ordinances we made are priesthood blessings. Sister Sheri Dew said,

"We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge 'armed' with power. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness. Most significantly, the fulness of the priesthood contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can be received only by a man and woman together" (Daughters in My Kingdom).

The blessings also include the many gifts of the Spirit (Daughters in My Kingdom). It pretty much is every blessing we receive from God, I think. We must all try to be worthy of this power by doing what we read in D&C 121:36-46. We must all be righteous.


Mormon Women Series:
Introduction
Ask Questions
The Administration and Membership of the Church
What is the Priesthood?
Priesthood and Women
Women's Divine Gifts

Mormon Women: The Administration and Membership of the Church

I felt so sorrowful for Kate Kelly and her recent excommunication. Some might wonder what the big deal is about excommunication? To understand the significance, you need to understand how wonderful being a member is in the first place.

First off, you become a member where you automatically belong to a local congregation where you are fellowshipped, serve together, support each other, teach and learn from each other, and gain strong friendships. No matter where you move in the world, there is a congregation that will welcome you. You are never without that support.

Secondly, while the members in your local congregation (ward or branch) probably vary greatly in political beliefs, economic status, job and career choices, hobbies and talents, family situations, and personal experiences, all the members are working toward a common goal: eternal life. We believe that there is only one path to eternal life as Matthew 7:14 reads, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." We all help each other find that path and continue on it by making and keeping covenants, the first of which was baptism.

Third, service was a part of the covenant of baptism. Members of the Church are always serving. Being a member of the Church isn't just something you sign up for and then do nothing. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints becomes part of your identity, becomes a part of who you are and what you strive to be. I live the gospel. The Church is a part of my every day life. It's a part of my lifestyle. It's a part of who I am. Having that being taken away would be really difficult. I honestly don't want to imagine what my life would be like without the Church in it.

Some people might ask me why I'd want to be a member of a church that makes women second class or forces them into traditional roles of wives and mothers. The thing is, I'm not a member of a church that does that. In our Church, women and men do not need to be ordained the priesthood to participate in the running of the Church organization. In others, you must be a part of the clergy, which generally means being ordained the priesthood. In other churches being a clergy member goes hand in hand with being ordained the priesthood.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines clergy as "people (such as priests) who are the leaders of a religion and who perform religious services." In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this defines every single active member. I'm not sure how many of you know this, but the Church does not have a paid clergy. It's all volunteer. Regular, ordinary people who members are asked to hold certain positions in the Church for a period of time. They then fulfill this responsibility alongside their families, their jobs, and their other life obligations. (Read more about "Why don’t Mormons have paid clergy?" here).

Members of the Church do not need the priesthood to be a part of the clergy. Elder M. Russell Ballard said,

Women are integral to the governance and work of the Church through service as leaders in Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary; through their service as teachers, full-time missionaries, and temple ordinance workers; and in the home, where the most important teaching in the Church occurs. Let us not forget that approximately one-half of all the teaching that takes place in the Church is done by sisters. Much of the leadership provided is from our sisters. Many service opportunities and activities are planned and directed by women. The counsel and other participation of women in ward and stake councils and in general councils at Church headquarters provide needed insight, wisdom, and balance ("'Let Us Think Straight'").

I grew up in the Church and have been given many opportunities to participate in its administration, even though I am still young. I have given talks (or speeches) in church meetings since I was 5 years old. Granted, my talks when I was that little were extremely short and simple, but I gave them. When I was 12 and 13, I was a Beehive President. I was responsible for all the young women in my congregation for the 12-13 age group. I was responsible for planning and executing activities for us to do. I learned how to teach. I learned how to run a meeting and how to take minutes. I learned how to take advantage of my counselors (also of my age group). I learned how to execute assignments given and report back to the bishop or Young Women president in councils. I learned how to listen for what God would have me do for the girls I was responsible for. I again had the same opportunities when I was a Mia-Maid (14-15 yrs) and a Laurel (16-17 yrs). Then when I turned 18 and graduated high school, I became a part of Relief Society. Literally weeks after I become a Relief Society sister, I was called to be a Relief Society teacher. I was the youngest woman in my congregation by several years, yet I was asked to teach a gospel lesson once a month to these sisters. I went off to college in Rexburg, ID and since being here I have been called to be a Relief Society secretary, a Visiting Teaching coordinator, a Family Home Evening group leader, and Relief Society teacher twice. This isn't counting the talks, or speeches, I've given nor is it counting visiting teaching other sisters in my wards (congregation).

How can I say that I am not involved in the Church's administration? I have had that opportunity my whole life as an active member.

Now I'm not trying to dismiss the concern some women feel about not being ordained the priesthood. But I'm attempting to communicate that women do not need the priesthood to be participants in how the Church runs. God really has organized this Church. This is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's called such for a reason. It is His Church. (Read "The Importance of a Name").

So to become excommunicated from this Church really is a big deal and so heartbreaking. In the letter the Ordain Women provided, it states to Kate Kelly:

[Excommunication] means that you may not wear temple garments or contribute tithes and offerings. You may not take the sacrament, hold a Church calling, give a talk in Church, offer a public prayer in behalf of the class or congregation in a Church meeting, or vote in the sustaining of Church officers.

She has lost the privilege and blessings that come from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has lost the opportunity to partake of the sacrament to renew baptismal covenants. She's lost the blessing of being able to pay tithes and offerings. She can't hold a calling. She is no longer involved in the Church's administration at all as she is no longer a member. That is why I am so sorry for her and her choices.

As mentioned in a pervious post, it wasn't bad that she searched for answers about the relationship between the priesthood and women. It was bad when obedience and faith become conditional upon a certain answer and her actions for seeking answers undermined others progression towards eternal life.

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been a blessing to me. It has helped me develop valuable qualities such as patience, charity, love, knowledge, humility, diligence and obedience. From talented individuals, I have learned skills I treasure such as scrapbooking, camping, food storage, cooking and baking, sewing, artistry, acting, gardening, and others. I've learned how to give public speeches. I've learned how to prepare and teach lessons. I've learned how to run a meeting. I've learned how to give service. I've learned not to let fear stop you. I've learned how to be a good citizen and community member. I've learned how to be a good person, daughter, sister, wife, and soon-to-be mother. I've learned a great many things through being an active member. I will continue to learn every day.

Mormon Women Series:
Introduction
Ask Questions
The Administration and Membership of the Church
What is the Priesthood?
Priesthood and Women
Women's Divine Gifts

If you want to know more about becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), click here.

Mormon Women: Ask Questions

We are privileged to live in a time when questions about the priesthood are being asked. Privileged! 

Linda K. Burton, the Relief Society General President, said:

We rejoice that we are privileged to live in this season of the history of the Church when questions are being asked about the priesthood. There is a great interest and desire to know and understand more about the authority, power, and blessings associated with the priesthood of God. ... I testify that the Lord is hastening His work, and it is imperative for us to understand how the Lord accomplishes His work so that we may receive the power that comes from being aligned with His plan and purposes. ... Sisters, we cannot stand up and teach those things we do not understand and know for ourselves ("Priesthood: 'A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children'").

Honestly, understanding more about the priesthood was never a great concern of mine. I thought it was enough to know that the Church is true, that it is organized by God Himself, and to have faith that He knows what He's doing in reference to women and the priesthood. But I read this quote and realized I should be asking questions. I should be striving to understand more about the priesthood and my own role with it. Especially as a wife to a wonderful priesthood holder. Especially as a soon-to-be mother of a little boy. Especially as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In order to further the work of God, we need to know and understand. Yet, we need to be full of faith and obedient while we continue to grow. It's important to follow the example of Sister Marjorie Hinckley who said, "First I obey, then I understand." It's important to remember the lesson Adam teaches us in Moses 5:5-7 when he's asked to sacrifice the firstlings of their flocks to the Lord and he was obedient. It was only have "many days" of being obedient that he learned the why from an angel.

Answers and understanding can take awhile. Though we begin to understand by doing, we must have faith that we will totally understand at some point. Just like Adam. It is not bad to ask questions. It's not bad to seek for understanding. It is bad when you decide your testimony and dedication to the gospel is dependent on an answer contrary to the one you desired or an answer that you don't receive for an indefinite period of time. It's bad when you decide your testimony and obedience is conditional. They should not be.

How should we seek for answers or, in other words, revelation?

• Pray for guidance
• Be reverent
• Be humble
• Keep the commandments
• Partake of the sacrament worthily
• Study the scriptures every day
• Take time to ponder ("Revelation").

We need to do. We need to take action. We need to show faith and be obedient. We need to be humble. We need to be trying to do what is right. Moroni 10:4-5 of The Book of Mormon challenges us to ask:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

In addition to the previous list, we need to ask sincerely and with real intent. Linda K. Burton also gave a specific list of how we can learn the doctrine of the priesthood for ourselves:

First, seek to be worthy of the Holy Ghost.
Second, the Holy Temple.
Third, the scriptures.
Fourth, words of living prophets.

We should be asking questions. We should seek to learn more. We should seek for understanding. We should have the desire to. I honestly had no desire to seek for answers on this topic myself because it has brought heated emotions and contention over the internet. It wasn't until I recently gave a lesson in Relief Society that I sincerely and earnestly studied the topic of the priesthood and women so I could strengthen testimonies and hopefully relieve doubts and increase faith and obedience. I searched more earnestly knowing that this topic is a passionate one and will probably continue to be for awhile yet. Now, I am so glad I searched for answers. The answers have only strengthened me. It has only made me feel closer to God and helped me feel more of the love He has for me, His daughter. We really are privileged to live in a time when questions are being asking about the priesthood.

Please, take the time to learn for yourself about the priesthood and women. Don't seek for answers through a spirit of contention. Seek to truly understand from God Himself. Read through the scriptures. Read the words of latter-day prophets. Pray. Ponder. Seek. Listen to the Holy Ghost for answers. Be careful to not let your testimony, faith, or obedience be conditional.

Mormon Women Series:
Introduction
Ask Questions
The Administration and Membership of the Church
What is the Priesthood?
Priesthood and Women
Women's Divine Gifts

Mormon Women: Introduction

I am a sister, daughter, wife, and soon-to-be mother. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. and I believe that men and women are equal, but different.

There have been news articles for several years mentioning women's groups or individuals desiring through petitions, protests, and legal means to be ordained the priesthood and become ministers in their churches. Recently, there has been a focus on a group called Ordain Women founded by Kate Kelly who are attempting to change The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' policy and have women be ordained the priesthood. The founder of the group was excommunicated just a few days ago for activities that have put at jeopardy others' testimonies and eternal salvation (Deseret News article here). I feel so sorry for her.

I have tried to avoid this topic of discussion because so many individuals become so aggressively passionate about it, and I really try to avoid contention. There are so many other blog posts and news articles and Twitter or Facebook posts, that it can be overwhelming. But I wanted to add my simple little voice to all the others out there.

I want to share with my friends and family my beliefs. How, as a woman of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I do not feel unappreciated or insignificant because I am not ordained the priesthood. I want to express my personal understanding of what the priesthood is. I want to share my knowledge that women and men are equally great and wonderful, just in different ways. I want to share how this Church actually encourages women to become all that they can be and reach their full potential. I want to share how I know this Church is true. That it's directed by God Himself through a prophet, just like in times of old.

I don't know everything. I'm not in any position to declare doctrine. But I can share with you what I do know and what I am learning. To avoid writing one huge post, I plan to write a little series of them. When they are finished, they will be linked to each other at the end of each post.

Mormon Women Series:
Introduction
Ask Questions
The Administration and Membership of the Church
What is the Priesthood?
Priesthood and Women
Women's Divine Gifts

Faith is like a Little Seed

Faith

by Beatrice Goff Jackson

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.

Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.

Faith is like a little seed:

If planted, it will grow.

Faith is a swelling within my heart.

When I do right, I know.

Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.

Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.

Faith is trust in God above;

In Christ, who showed the way.

Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow

Whenever I obey.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we frequently compare faith to a seed. This could result from the comparison of faith to a mustard seed that Savior gives in the Bible.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you (Luke 17:6). 

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20).

We generally use Alma 32 as our main source, even though in this chapter it compares "the word unto a seed" (v. 28). However, the analogy still works really well when compared to faith.

Avocado seed sprouting
Source: The Avocado Diet

About a year ago, my husband and I decided we would try to grow an avocado tree from one of the pits after making some guacamole. We are not gardeners. At all. We searched through the internet for directions and discovered that we just needed to stick it with three toothpicks to hold it about halfway in water. Then we needed to wait. We waited for a long time. It took about 5 weeks before we saw any roots or stem. All we noticed was the pit splitting apart. I honestly thought the pit was rotting, but I hoped that it wasn't. We waited some more, making sure the water level was high enough.

Eventually, we saw that it was alive and growing! Once a root and stem were visible we were more excited and regularly checked it to see how it changed since the last time we looked (anything from a few hours to a few days). Several weeks later we believed it to be rooted enough and tall enough to move into a pot. We purposely choose a good sized pot to encourage the tree to grow even more. We kept it inside through fall and winter to make sure the Rexburg, Idaho cold temperatures wouldn't kill our plant before it had a chance to fight back.

This spring, the weather was warmer earlier than it normally is. As a result, my dear husband put out a good portion of our house plants to our concrete porch to enjoy the unfiltered sunlight and breeze. However, we'd forget to bring them in at night when the temperature drops. We'd forget we needed to water it more considering it's on the hot concrete in the sun. We'd forget to bring it in when we'd have strong winds and storms passing through. Our little avocado tree really suffered. Its leaves were torn and they curled up. It stopped growing upward and producing new leaves. We are now very diligent about bringing this little tree inside when the weather outside looks frightful.

Our year old avocado tree

Now what does this have to do with faith? What similarities are there between faith and this avocado tree?

We experimented. We aren't gardeners. We know almost nothing about plants other than giving them water and sunlight and room to grow. We especially didn't know how to grow something from the leftovers of the fruits (or vegetables) we eat. It was an experiment.
Alma says, "Awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith" (v. 27). We need to exercise just a particle of faith in Christ and experiment upon the words of God, His commandments. My husband and I simply stuck toothpicks in an avocado pit, put it in some water and placed it in the sunlight. That's all we did. Occasionally, we'd noticed the water level lower than it should be so we'd add more. However, that's truly all we did at first. Just exercised a little faith.

I mentioned that there was a period of time where I was worried the avocado wasn't going to sprout, that it rotted. As verse 32 reads, "Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away." That's obvious. Exercise faith. See what comes from it. Be patient. You'll learn if your faith was worth it. Faith in the Savior is always worth it. Just exercise some faith and patience. If I had thrown the seed out when I had first thought it was rotted, we wouldn't have the little tree we have now. I just didn't recognize the signs of it sprouting. We are told of how to plant a spiritual seed in us:

Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me (v. 28).

Seeds swell before they sprout. I hadn't really realized that before. They absorb the water, the nourishment, before growing roots or a stem. I like what verse 33 says, "And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good." We were so excited to see this seed growing! Faith is the same way. We know that it has swelled, that it has sprouted, that our understanding increased, and our minds begin to expand (v. 34). But this is only the beginning. We don't just say the experiment was a success and then let the newly sprouted seed die. "Neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good" (v. 36).

The next natural step is to continue to nourish the seed. To plant it in good soil and give it sunlight. To make sure the environment is favorable towards it. To water it. We must "nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us" (v. 37). How does this relate to faith? Once we recognize the truth of the gospel and the Savior, once we have exercised faith and given it the opportunity to grow, we need to continue to do so. We need to make sure to avoid unfavorable circumstances and situations that could harm us and our budding faith and testimony. For example, it would probably be best to avoid going to a midnight party where drugs and alcohol will be served and your standards challenged. Maybe you'd come through fine, but why put yourself in such a situation? If you know it's going to be cold and windy outside, why put your sprouting tender tree out in it purposely? Maybe it would survived, but perhaps it'd only cause it damage.

I love how Alma states the following:

But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof (v. 38-39).

If I neglected my little seed and it dies and I threw it out, it's not because it wasn't good or that it wouldn't have produced avocados in the future. It's because I didn't continue to put forth the effort to care for it. Faith in Jesus Christ is the same. You must continue to have it and exercise it. It's not because Christ isn't trustworthy; it's not because we wouldn't gain salvation if we continued. We just decided to stop, give up, and not endure to the end.

Our sprouting pineapple

Earlier, in verse 37 it mentioned nourishing the seed so that it grows roots. We have a pineapple we are currently experimenting with. It has grown these little white fuzzy roots which absorb the water. We are letting it develop more in this jar of water before giving it some soil. Just as we did with our avocado. Our little tree needed strong roots. If we hadn't given it the time to grow roots, to dig into it's pot of soil before accidentally leaving it outside to face the wind storms, I'm sure our little tree would have toppled and possibly died.

We need to make sure that our spiritual seed is growing firm roots in the foundation of the Savior. Helaman 5:12 reads:

Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

This way, when we face adversity we can be strong. Sometimes we experience trials because of our own choices and its consequences. For example, if your a chain smoker, you can expect to struggle with your health at some point in your life. Other times we experience trials because it's just a part of mortality. Elder Richard G. Scott says:

When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11-2). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain ("Trust in the Lord").

Our tender avocado faced winds, rain, hot concrete, cold nights. While we had made a mistake and left our tree outside and our tree suffered the consequence of that accidental decision, eventually our little tree will be permanently planted in the soil outside and have to face the natural weather. There are some things we can do to protect it at that point the best we can, but nature happens. We need to make sure we give it the best chance possible to survive. Just with our faith. We need to make sure to protect it. To encourage a strong foundation in Christ.

Sometimes our plants are cut down through no fault of our own. One avid gardner had beautiful rows of carrots and radishes. Her husband has a keen interest in horses. It just so happened that the tether on the horses were just long enough for them to reach the carrots and radishes. They nibbled the tops off. She was thinking that there was no coming back from such severe damage. However, she continued to care for her garden, hoping that they would be alright. They were and they produced lovely carrots and radishes.

There are times when our faith and testimony takes a severe beating and might be cut down through the trials and adversity we face. However, if we have a strong foundation in Christ and we nourish it, we can be stronger and better than before.

Our little avocado tree, while not having grown any taller since its trials, has grown thicker around its stalk. It's better able to face the strong winds it might experience in the future. Its roots have a firm grasp of the soil it is in. We, too, can be stimulated to grow through trials as Elder Scott mentioned.

Faith really is like a little seed. We just need to nourish it with actions of obedience to God through making and keeping covenants and obeying His commandments.