Female Ward Mission Leaders

[Cobalt-70]

BTW, I think sisters serve in the function of district and zone leaders (or the equivalent) in the Temple Square mission (inasmuch as the only male called to that mission is that mission president).

That's good in one sense that these women are given positions of authority. But in another sense, it only demonstrates that this policy is solely about patriarchy, and not some theological idea about priesthood. Apparently, women must always be subordinate to men, and a man cannot be subordinate to a woman. The normal rule that only men are zone leaders has nothing to do with priesthood--and everything to do with male empowerment over women.

[rongo]

Do you *really* think that Temple Square sister missionaries serving as district/zone leaders were conducting baptismal interviews?

I have mentioned in this thread that I personally know a Temple Square sister who served (briefly) due to circumstances as a district leader in the Orlando mission. Her role was limited to receiving and passing on reports and conducting meetings of a handful of other sister missionaries.

I think you're stretching to show that this is "solely about patriarchy and not some theological idea about priesthood."

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Do you think it's possible to have female ward mission leaders one day?

I have been giving this more thought, when God could not find a righteous man to lead the armies of Israel he fouled women to do it...the same for France according to legend. The more I think about the more I like the idea.

[Duncan]

I have been giving this more thought, when God could not find a righteous man to lead the armies of Israel he fouled women to do it...the same for France according to legend. The more I think about the more I like the idea.

with the earth going to be flooded with missionaries I can't see it either being a bad idea. I am the WML here and there is nothing I do that a woman can't. If it's meeting one on one with the Bishop well they do that with YW and YW, RS and Primary Pres.

[rongo]

It would be a sad commentary on the Melchizedek priesthood if it came to that, though. What does "elder" actually mean? The duty and responsibility for missionary work is a large part of that office.

[Cobalt-70]

Do you *really* think that Temple Square sister missionaries serving as district/zone leaders were conducting baptismal interviews?

I have mentioned in this thread that I personally know a Temple Square sister who served (briefly) due to circumstances as a district leader in the Orlando mission. Her role was limited to receiving and passing on reports and conducting meetings of a handful of other sister missionaries.

I think you're stretching to show that this is "solely about patriarchy and not some theological idea about priesthood."

On a theoretical level, any missionary (or at the very least, any missionary with priesthood) could do a baptismal interview, but mission presidents as a matter of custom or policy assign (but do not set apart) zone or district leaders to that function. There is no reason why a mission president could assign the role of conducting baptismal interviews to some other missionary who is not a zone or district leader, or for that matter, even a woman. Indeed, a mission president could, in theory, do away with baptismal interviews. Missionaries in the early LDS church did not bother with baptismal interviews. If someone wanted to be baptized, the early missionaries could take them out to the lake immediately and baptize them.

[mnn727]

You are correct - it was the position. Of executive secretary. My bad, I just confirmed it with him.

Cheers.

Having just been released as Ward Exec Secretary, it also is a Stake calling. The Bishop presents the name to the Stake President who then approves (or denies) it and the Stake President or his counselors make the calling to the person and also releases them.