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