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