"Top Mormon Women Leaders Provide Their Insights Into Church Leadership"

[Scott Lloyd]

I just became aware of this. It has been put up on lds.org.

Haven't had a chance to watch the video yet (or read the accompanying transcript) but it appears to be timely and topical with regard to the current pressure campaign calling for ordination of women.

Edited to addd:

Sorry, forgot to include the link.

Edited April 5, 2013 by Scott Lloyd

[Tacenda]

I just became aware of this. It has been put up on lds.org.

Haven't had a chance to watch the video yet (or read the accompanying transcript) but it appears to be timely and topical with regard to the current pressure campaign calling for ordination of women.

Edited to addd:

Sorry, forgot to include the link.

Just watched the KSL news where they showed the video and mentioned that the church is giving women more responsbilies in the mission field. Sister missionaries will be in charge of training missionaries and something else but have forgotten. Scott, I'm sure you could affirm and fill in where I've missed something.

[Scott Lloyd]

Just watched the KSL news where they showed the video and mentioned that the church is giving women more responsbilies in the mission field. Sister missionaries will be in charge of training missionaries and something else but have forgotten. Scott, I'm sure you could affirm and fill in where I've missed something.

I've only heard a colleague mention it today, but here's a Deseret News story that might be helpful. The gist is a new mission leadership council will replace the old zone leaders council, and sisters will be on the council with responsibility for training new sister missionaries.

Edited to add:

I see that Duncan has started a thread devoted to this new development. Comments about it should probably be placed on his thread, since this one is about the new "Top Mormon Women Leaders" video.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Scott Lloyd

[emarkp]

Sister missionaries have always trained other sisters. How is this a change?

[BlueDreams]

Sister missionaries have always trained other sisters. How is this a change?

It's not the same....read the deseret news article to see....but you should probably post to this thread to keep this one on topic. To answer in short. Sis missionaries have always trained new sisters....not all sisters (minus temple square). That's the major differences. This is similar to a district or zone leaders, but instead of a zone, they're over sisters.

With luv,

BD

[CASteinman]

Sister missionaries have always trained other sisters. How is this a change?

I would say that their participation in the leadership council (which was a body we did not have on my mission) is the biggest difference. Since I don't really know what the old body did, I don't really know what this means for the new organization.

I would add... other than perhaps the length of time of their service or instances where district presidents serve as branch presidents, I don't see any reason why sisters could not be DL's or ZL's -- and be over both men and women.

Its not like this is a priesthood office per se. Well, maybe it has some priesthood roles. And maybe the scripture about ruling applies. So maybe I should re think that a bit but I don't right now see anything that would be huge impediment.

Edited April 6, 2013 by CASteinman

[Tacenda]

If we have the amount of sister missionaries I think we'll have, then the church needs to re-establish that women can give Priesthood blessings. They will need that capacity out in the mission field, where there might not be a Priesthood holder for miles and it might be an urgent need somewhere. Please read below one of the quotes on this site out of many from church leaders.

http://www.wheatandt...ving-blessings/

Joseph Smith's quote is...

“someone apparently reported to Joseph that the women were laying their hands on the sick and blessing them. His reply to the question of the propriety of such acts was simple. He told the women in the next meeting “there could be no evil in it, if God gave his sanction by healing.., there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water.” He also indicated that there were sisters who were ordained to heal the sick and it was their privilege to do so. “If the sisters should have faith to heal,” he said, “let all hold their tongues.”⁶

Edited April 6, 2013 by Tacenda

[Traela]

I think the new sister missionary responsibilities are analogous to some wards I've heard of, that don't have enough Melchesidec priesthood holders, so they use the Aaronic priesthood far more than is typical, but still within the rules. They probably looked at all the sister missionaries now, thought about what really requires priesthood authority, and said, "Hey, why not?"

[Scott Lloyd]

I'm puzzled -- and a tad disappointed -- that there as yet has been no commentary on the topic for which this thread was opened, that being the new video that has just been put up on the Church website in which women leaders are discussing Church leadership. It seems to me this has direct bearing on -- and is even an oblique response to -- the current social-media campaign to pressure Church leaders into ordaining women to the priesthood.

To generate discussion, I post herewith a segment from the transcript of what these intelligent, strong and influential women have to say:

Ruth Todd: You have the opportunity to counsel regularly with the leaders of our Church. Do these Brethren understand the issues that face women and families and children today?

3:39

Sister Dalton: I think that by and large if people could sit in where we've been and realize how in the details our Brethren are and how aware they are of individuals, of issues, of trends, of things that are taking place that really affect families, women and children, they would be absolutely astounded, as I am. I have to run to keep up.

4:07

Sister Burton: Not only are they aware, they are pained by things that affect women in the Church, and they say, “How can we help? What can we say to help the women of the Church? Help us frame this so that we know what it is that we can do to help.” I've seen the pain in their eyes and their heart, the longings in their heart. They are aware, and they feel it. They are real, and they are who they profess to be. These are devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. And I get pretty emotional about it because I see them up close and personal, and I see them working day after day after day after day, year after year.

4:51

Sister Wixom: I see that in spite of the experience they have and the years and years of service, there's an element of humility that they know the source of the answers. And they spend the time on their knees and they go to that source for the inspiration that they are seeking, and what they tell us comes from that source of our Heavenly Father because they are humble men — real, like you said, real and imperfect and with a sense of humor. But they seek the source from our Heavenly Father and then stand with confidence because their confidence is in the Lord.

5:51

Ruth Todd: Let’s talk about the priesthood. How do you access the priesthood in your lives?

5:53

Sister Wixom: I see it in three segments. I see the priesthood blessing me through the covenants that I've made personally. It happens for all of us in baptism and in the temple. And then I see it with my husband as we really complete each other and stand together as parents and counsel together. We couldn't do it alone; we need each other. And then I see it in my service in the Church.

6:22

Sister Dalton: Well, you know, the power of the priesthood — there's a distinction between the authority of the priesthood and the power of the priesthood. And I think sometimes people don't understand that. It can be — the authority can be conferred upon a man, but the power can only be exercised in purity.

6:43

Sister Burton: The same way we receive the power of it is the way they receive the power of it.

6:46

Sister Dalton: “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” And so as a mother of five sons I have been so blessed by the power of the priesthood.

6:59

Sister Burton: And I have five daughters and have been equally blessed by the power of their righteousness by cleaving to covenants. It works together. They're complementary. But the priesthood is not man. Men can bear the priesthood; they can have the priesthood to bless others; they cannot use it to bless themselves.

7:19

Ruth Todd: How do you utilize the priesthood as you are leading and guiding your individual organization?

7:25

Sister Wixom: I remember two weeks after I was called as the general Primary president, Elder Hales called me to his office and he, we had a conversation and then he said, "Sister Wixom, I want to ask you a question. What is the taproot that will anchor a child in the wind?" And I leaned back in my chair and I went to think about it, and then he said, "No, no, no. Sister Wixom, you're going to think about this. And what's more is that you will get the answer to that question. I won't, because you are the Primary president." I left his office that day feeling the mantle of my calling. The calling came from our prophet, and he was allowing me to carry that mantle, and I would be the one — with the help of my counselors and the board and, above all, inspiration from our Heavenly Father — to come to the conclusion to the answer of that question.

8:26

Sister Burton: Recently, Rosemary and I had an opportunity to travel to the Pacific together.

8:31

Sister Dalton: I know, I'm jealous.

8:32

Sister Burton: I know, we missed you. We got to go to Africa together.

8:35

Sister Wixom: Oh, it was so insightful.

8:37

Sister Burton: But the interesting thing to me was after we'd had that experience, the area presidency wanted a follow‑up experience with that. I'm sure you've done that, but that was my first that we actually went back and they said, "What did you learn? How can we do better? What did you see in our area that maybe is too close to us?" And we had a meaningful discussion, and I was very grateful that they were so seeking to know what we had seen in a very candid way, and we did not hold back.

9:04

Sister Wixom: We didn't. And they asked for that. They said, "Now, put aside, but we want to know what could we do to make it better? And what did you see? What can we learn from your visit to us?"

9:19

Ruth Todd: Some women are concerned that they don’t hold the priesthood and feel like they’re not equal. What do you say to them?

9:24

Sister Burton: I don't think women are after the authority; I think they're after the blessings and are happy that they can access the blessings and power of the priesthood. There are a few that would like both. But most of the women, I think, in the Church are happy to have all the blessings. That's what matters most to them, and it doesn't matter who holds that umbrella. They're happy to let someone else hold the umbrella because we have different complementary roles and are happy with that.

Equality is an interesting term. It doesn't always mean sameness, but we are of equal value no matter where we are in the Church or at home; we are definitely of equal value. In the home we're co-equal spiritual leaders. And so I think that's an important thing that sometimes is misunderstood.

We can have equality having different roles; we each have strengths that we need to bring, and we're strengthened when we bring what gifts and talents we've been given, and we strengthen each other so we don't necessarily have to be equal in same roles. We need to have differing roles to give that strength and bless the Church. And so I would hope those that don't — don't feel that way, that they would feel that they are needed for the strengths and gifts they bring to strengthen this opportunity to work together. We're inseparable in our opportunity to work with the priesthood.

10:52

Ruth Todd: What’s your best advice when women are struggling with puzzling questions or situations? Where do they go?

11:01

Sister Burton: Form a question. Ponder it — for many months if you need to. Search out. Look in the scriptures. Sometimes we go to the Internet to get all our answers, but if we will be humble and kneel on our knees and ask our Heavenly Father, "I have a question," and search it out and propose an answer and let Him help us, we are entitled to that. It doesn't matter whether we're a man or a woman; we are entitled to personal revelation. For those that have questions, follow that same pattern that Joseph Smith did. And then go to the Lord and ask.

It's okay to have questions. But we have to have the faith like we just said to act upon what we come. And sometimes we know the answers come from the Lord because we don't want to do it. If it comes from something we really want for ourselves, sometimes that's our own personal desire and not necessarily coming from the Lord.

12:00

Ruth Todd: You’ve all had the opportunity to travel the world and to rub shoulders with membership, as well as leadership, of the Church. Tell us about those experiences.

12:08

Sister Burton: I'm thinking of one woman in particular that I think kind of exemplifies a lot of the women of the Church, a young single mom, two little boys, who joined the Church about four years ago, and she just radiated joy. And that's what I see. I see the joy of living the gospel in their home, and I will forever be changed from that one visit alone.

12:33

Sister Dalton: Don't you appreciate the opportunity we have to travel, so

that we can actually just be right there, look into eyes, see face to face, one‑on‑one, be in homes, counsel with the priesthood brethren in those areas, you know. As — I've really loved being in an area and have that touch and feel of all the young women and their mothers and their parents and then huddling up with the area president and saying, "What did you see? What needs to happen? What did you learn?" And having them listen to me and then teach me, also, additional things that I can bring back here so that I can say in another council setting, "If you're considering this for a worldwide church, that won't work for the women in India," or "That will work for those that are in Africa." So the privilege is — the opportunities we have to become eyes and ears are really quite phenomenal.

13:35

Ruth Todd: If you could look at the face of a Relief Society sister or a Primary child or a young woman, what would you want her to know?

13:43

Sister Wixom: Well, from a Primary perspective, we can't forget I am a child of God and who you are. And it begins at birth when we hold that infant in our arms and we sing that Primary song to them — for them to remember who they are and their potential and who their Heavenly Father [is] and the connection to their Heavenly Father and to the Savior Jesus Christ.

14:14

Sister Burton: I see the same thing in Relief Society. It's the same thing. And they've had longer to forget who they are, and they forget that they are a daughter of God who loves them and wants only the best for them, and we get into this perfection mode. We think we have to be perfect all at once and all right now. And we're a hospital here; we aren't a hotel for perfect people in the Church, we are a hospital. We're all flawed and we all need each other for the gifts and talents we bring.

14:46

Sister Dalton: You know, what I have in my heart for all of us is the last message that Moroni gave us, his final words. Have faith. He will help you combat the adversary. Have hope. And have charity. And charity is the pure love of Christ. And I think that we women do that best. And charity never faileth.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

So far, all the responses on this thread other than mine have been off-topic.

There is a separate thread open to discuss the new mission leadership councils and the involvement of sister missionaries thereon; please take comments on that topic to that thread. Thanks.

[bluebell]

If we have the amount of sister missionaries I think we'll have, then the church needs to re-establish that women can give Priesthood blessings. They will need that capacity out in the mission field, where there might not be a Priesthood holder for miles and it might be an urgent need somewhere. Please read below one of the quotes on this site out of many from church leaders.

http://www.wheatandt...ving-blessings/

Joseph Smith's quote is...

“someone apparently reported to Joseph that the women were laying their hands on the sick and blessing them. His reply to the question of the propriety of such acts was simple. He told the women in the next meeting “there could be no evil in it, if God gave his sanction by healing.., there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water.” He also indicated that there were sisters who were ordained to heal the sick and it was their privilege to do so. “If the sisters should have faith to heal,” he said, “let all hold their tongues.”⁶

I don't believe sisters have ever given priesthood blessings in the lds church.

They gave healing blessings but I don't believe they ever invoked the power of the priesthood in the process.

[bluebell]

So far, all the responses on this thread other than mine have been off-topic.

There is a separate thread open to discuss the new mission leadership councils and the involvement of sister missionaries thereon; please take comments on that topic to that thread. Thanks.

Sorry Scott, I saw this after I posted.

[Scott Lloyd]

Sorry Scott, I saw this after I posted.

Quite all right.

'Twould be even better if you had a comment on the video.

[bluebell]

Quite all right.

'Twould be even better if you had a comment on the video.

I haven't been able to watch it yet, but i will.

[Tacenda]

Sorry bluebell, I should have said healing blessing. And sorry Scott, for derailing the OP. Back to it, Sis. Dalton mentions being thankful for the opportunity to travel and meet each sister and look at them face to face. I wonder if many here have had a member of the general R.S. or Pri. or Y.W., visit your stakes recently or even in the last few years? The last one that I remember is R.S. Pres., sister Mary Ellen Smoot but not while serving in that capacity. That's not saying it didn't occur since then and I just wasn't paying attention. They probably don't get to spend much time in their own wards.

Scott is it ok if some want to share these experiences?

[BlueDreams]

So far, all the responses on this thread other than mine have been off-topic.

There is a separate thread open to discuss the new mission leadership councils and the involvement of sister missionaries thereon; please take comments on that topic to that thread. Thanks.

When I posted, I hadn't listened to it all....I probably won't have time to give a good answer till late tonight though. I enjoyed the interview though.

With luv,

BD

[BlueDreams]

Sorry bluebell, I should have said healing blessing. And sorry Scott, for derailing the OP. Back to it, Sis. Dalton mentions being thankful for the opportunity to travel and meet each sister and look at them face to face. I wonder if many here have had a member of the general R.S. or Pri. or Y.W., visit your stakes recently or even in the last few years? The last one that I remember is R.S. Pres., sister Mary Ellen Smoot but not while serving in that capacity. That's not saying it didn't occur since then and I just wasn't paying attention. They probably don't get to spend much time in their own wards.

Just quickly, yes....we had a mutlstake function on my mission where Sis Beck came and gave a Q&A type fireside. It was very enlightening.

[Calm]

I'm puzzled -- and a tad disappointed -- that there as yet has been no commentary on the topic for which this thread was opened, that being the new video that has just been put up on the Church website in which women leaders are discussing Church leadership.

What?! You actually think people should listen to what women have to say rather than just making sure they have a chance to say it (and then ignore it)?

[Scott Lloyd]

Sorry bluebell, I should have said healing blessing. And sorry Scott, for derailing the OP. Back to it, Sis. Dalton mentions being thankful for the opportunity to travel and meet each sister and look at them face to face. I wonder if many here have had a member of the general R.S. or Pri. or Y.W., visit your stakes recently or even in the last few years? The last one that I remember is R.S. Pres., sister Mary Ellen Smoot but not while serving in that capacity. That's not saying it didn't occur since then and I just wasn't paying attention. They probably don't get to spend much time in their own wards.

Scott is it ok if some want to share these experiences?

Yes, that's fine.

[rpn]

We've had two leadership regional meetings with general presidencies in the last few years in our region. But I don't think in the US that they are widely reported, probably to allow them to meet with just those leaders who are invited.