Popular Post rongo Posted October 28, 2016 Popular Post Posted October 28, 2016 I asked my daughter to speak with me this Sunday, and she actually said, "I want to talk about women and the priesthood, Dad!" My wife and I asked her what she wanted to say, and she had put some thought into it. She had some recent talks in mind from the women's general meeting, and I suggested Elder Oaks's talk a couple of years ago. We're not concerned about what she will say (we know her well)--- we were just a little bemused that that was her desired topic, without hesitation. She said she has been thinking about this, based on a statement in her patriarchal blessing (which we both remember, and were impressed with at the time). We told her that most of the authoritative answers are "We don't know," but she said that she wants to see what she can come up with. 5
Popular Post Rain Posted October 28, 2016 Popular Post Posted October 28, 2016 I'm excited for her. I have found a lot in several of Elder Ballard's talks. Actually, a bunch of stuff here and there. A lot of it says we don't know, but I have been impressed that some of the reason we don't know is because many of us have not been asking or asking the wrong question. Instead of "why don't women have the priesthood?" we should be asking for clarity on what our role is within the priesthood. 6
rongo Posted October 28, 2016 Author Posted October 28, 2016 3 minutes ago, VideoGameJunkie said: Has she heard of Kate Kelly? Yes. She also remembers the OW antics and hoopla from a couple of years ago. Her talk isn't going to be a feminist call for priesthood office or expanded roles. She wants to talk on what the priesthood means for girls and women, especially because they can't hold offices. 1
rongo Posted October 28, 2016 Author Posted October 28, 2016 2 minutes ago, Rain said: I'm excited for her. I have found a lot in several of Elder Ballard's talks. Actually, a bunch of stuff here and there. A lot of it says we don't know, but I have been impressed that some of the reason we don't know is because many of us have not been asking or asking the wrong question. Instead of "why don't women have the priesthood?" we should be asking for clarity on what our role is within the priesthood. That describes her interest! She had a pretty striking and remarkable statement in her patriarchal blessing that at the same time made it clear that she would never hold priesthood office. She has wanted to learn more about this.
JLHPROF Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 2 hours ago, Rain said: I have been impressed that some of the reason we don't know is because many of us have not been asking or asking the wrong question. Instead of "why don't women have the priesthood?" we should be asking for clarity on what our role is within the priesthood. This. Exactly. Very true.
Buckeye Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 I'd also suggest she review and cite the church's essay on women and the priesthood. The essay declines to give any if the standard defenses to the restriction - i.e., men are less spiritual, different roles, etc. Rather, as with the racial priesthood ban essay, this essay explains the restriction as a practice that grew out of the gender norms at the time that the priesthood was restored. That should be the pattern for our current discussions. Avoid repeating the folk lore of today. Instead, do all the good we can with the authority we have and be open to more expansion of the authority in the future. 3
juliann Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 12 hours ago, Rain said: I'm excited for her. I have found a lot in several of Elder Ballard's talks. Actually, a bunch of stuff here and there. A lot of it says we don't know, but I have been impressed that some of the reason we don't know is because many of us have not been asking or asking the wrong question. Instead of "why don't women have the priesthood?" we should be asking for clarity on what our role is within the priesthood. But women do "have" the priesthood, we aren't ordained to priesthood office or participate in ordinances (other than the temple.) Elder Oaks was quite clear on what we use in our church callings. FM had a couple of conference talks on women and the priesthood that might be helpful. 3
Traela Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 I recommend Sheri Dew's book, Women and the Priesthood.
Rain Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 1 hour ago, juliann said: But women do "have" the priesthood, we aren't ordained to priesthood office or participate in ordinances (other than the temple.) Elder Oaks was quite clear on what we use in our church callings. FM had a couple of conference talks on women and the priesthood that might be helpful. "Why don't women have the priesthood?" isn't my question. It is just the question I hear most often.
Calm Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 I believe we do have an answer to that question as in "we do have the Priesthood once we are temple endowed, we simply don't hold offices so we need to explore what our role is and can be"....which has the benefit of answering the 'wrong' question and moving it to something very useful. . Sometimes suggesting a question is the "wrong" question means we shouldn't answer it (as it may be used in some cases to shut down discussion rather than open it up), but for me this is definitely a case where we should be treating the uninformed (which is why it is the "wrong question") question seriously... All of which I think everyone has been saying in this thread in their own way and now I have too. 1
Five Solas Posted October 30, 2016 Posted October 30, 2016 Perhaps she'll discover this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_priesthood :0) --Erik
carbon dioxide Posted October 30, 2016 Posted October 30, 2016 1 hour ago, Five Solas said: Perhaps she'll discover this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_priesthood :0) --Erik Not sure how that will help
thesometimesaint Posted October 30, 2016 Posted October 30, 2016 I'm reasonably sure our Mother-in-Heaven has all the power and authority she needs.
JLHPROF Posted October 30, 2016 Posted October 30, 2016 5 hours ago, Five Solas said: Perhaps she'll discover this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_priesthood I think she was more interested in speaking on real priesthood. 4
Popular Post rongo Posted October 31, 2016 Author Popular Post Posted October 31, 2016 Her talk went really well. It wasn't anything new to anyone here (Sister Burton, Elder Oaks, Elder Ballard, Joseph Smith, and Joseph Fielding Smith quotes). Women operate with priesthood power, but don't hold priesthood office. Etc. The neat thing was people's reaction after. Several women were thrilled that it was even a topic for a sacrament meeting talk. I'm proud of her for wanting to address it, and doing a good job. 7
JLHPROF Posted October 31, 2016 Posted October 31, 2016 30 minutes ago, rongo said: Her talk went really well. It wasn't anything new to anyone here (Sister Burton, Elder Oaks, Elder Ballard, Joseph Smith, and Joseph Fielding Smith quotes). Women operate with priesthood power, but don't hold priesthood office. Etc. The neat thing was people's reaction after. Several women were thrilled that it was even a topic for a sacrament meeting talk. I'm proud of her for wanting to address it, and doing a good job. That's awesome. Having a child who is enthusiastic and studious of the gospel must be a huge blessing.
Boanerges Posted October 31, 2016 Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) I was visiting a ward recently where a counselor in the bishopric spoke about Elder Oaks' talk. I thought it was great to hear that kind of stuff in sacrament meeting because I don't generally hear that in my ward. Edited October 31, 2016 by Boanerges
Teancum Posted October 31, 2016 Posted October 31, 2016 On 10/27/2016 at 10:18 PM, rongo said: I asked my daughter to speak with me this Sunday, and she actually said, "I want to talk about women and the priesthood, Dad!" My wife and I asked her what she wanted to say, and she had put some thought into it. She had some recent talks in mind from the women's general meeting, and I suggested Elder Oaks's talk a couple of years ago. We're not concerned about what she will say (we know her well)--- we were just a little bemused that that was her desired topic, without hesitation. She said she has been thinking about this, based on a statement in her patriarchal blessing (which we both remember, and were impressed with at the time). We told her that most of the authoritative answers are "We don't know," but she said that she wants to see what she can come up with. How old is your daughter? And good luck with your discussion.
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