A Woman Member's Thoughts on Priesthood and Personality

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One day I was doing some writing on my Perspectives on Personality blog about how Thinker types (logic, task oriented, 3/4 of men) can better relate with Feeler types (value, people oriented, 3/4 of women). I was giving suggestions to Thinker types on how to relate more personally to Feeler types, when the thought came to my mind that what would help the most was if the Thinker gave service to the Feeler.  Suddenly, I realized that this is part of why men are given Priesthood assignments -- it is help them learn to serve and love. For women, we naturally see a need and meet it. We don't need as much structure to reach out to others. That is just how we are.

I can see how assigning men to watch over others helps them focus on the needs of the people they are responsible for, whether it is in his family, or in his ward (local church group).

Am I a Suppressed Woman?

 General Relief Society Presidency. Left to right: Sharon Eubank, 
Jean B. Bingham, and Reyna I. Aburto.

Yes, I'm a wife and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints , but am I suppressed? Hardly! I think most women members would find that funny. We are often overwhelmed by the load of leadership responsibility we carry.

I think where most people get confused and think that women in The Church are dominated by the men because they have heard that women are "not allowed to hold the Priesthood". Actually, the women are given the same priesthood power when we make covenants in the temple. When we promise to keep the Lord's commandments, He blesses us, both men and women, with some of His power to enable us to grow and to accomplish the things He wants us to do.  Priesthood power is what enables women to guide their family, teach, and lead the children, young women, and women of the Church.

But you might say that the women are not allowed to hold leadership positions. It is true that men and women have been given different responsibilities. Men have the responsibility for general administration. Women have responsibility lead the children, young women, and the women of The Church under Priesthood guidance.

Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, men and women are full equal partners both in the home and in the church. Men are given Priesthood responsibilities to provide spiritual leadership, and women have the natural responsibilities of Motherhood to nurture, teach, and lead. As we work together in complementary roles we all benefit.

I have watched my sons grow as they have been given Priesthood responsibilities a little at a time. At 12 a worthy young man can be ordained a Deacon and pass the Sacrament, collect fast offerings, and help keep up the church building. At 14 a worthy young man may be ordained a Teacher. His duties include those of a deacon plus they serve as home teachers; visiting families in the ward (local church group) and helping them. They also prepare the bread and water for the sacrament. At 16 a worthy young man may be ordained a Priest. He then has the authority to do all that a Teacher does plus he may baptize, and administer the sacrament. At 19 our oldest son was ordained an Elder. He had had four years of seminary during high school and was an official ordained minister as he served a two year mission in Ohio.