Connecting Daughters of God to His Priesthood

[bluebell]

March's Ensign has an article that is creating a lot of buzz in my neck of the woods.  It's titled Connecting Daughters of God to His Priesthood. Here are some interesting quotes from it.

Quote

 

Both women and men are delegated power and authority by those who hold priesthood keys.

Priesthood keys are “the authority God has given to priesthood [holders] to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.”4 President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, explains, “Every act or ordinance performed in the Church is done under the direct or indirect authorization of one holding the keys for that function.”5

Women have authority to perform their callings, under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys, just as men do. President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated, “Those who have priesthood keys … literally make it possible for all who serve faithfully under their direction to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”6

President Oaks said: “We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood.”

 

I thought this part was especially useful-

Quote

When teaching this concept to my students, I often ask, “If a stake is having a joint Young Men and Young Women presidency meeting, who presides?” Because both the stake Young Women president and the stake Young Men president were called and set apart by one holding priesthood keys (the stake president), with their callings, both have the same priesthood authority and therefore neither presides over the other. It would make sense for them to take turns in conducting meetings.

I think this is what we need more of.  Practical examples of how men and women having the same priesthood authority looks on the ground and in the trenches.  

Here's a part talking about husbands and wives that I also thought was especially helpful.  I've heard too many people refer to husbands and wives as "president and vice president"  This stuff needs to be taught more so that we can leave the old ideas behind.

Quote

 

Priesthood authority sometimes functions differently in the Church than in the family.

The Church organization is hierarchical; the family is patriarchal. President Oaks taught that there are “some differences in the way priesthood authority functions in the family and in the Church.”12 By divine design, the husband and wife may have some different responsibilities, yet they work together as “equal partners.”13 Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “Remember, brethren, that in your role as leader in the family, your wife is your companion. … Since the beginning, God has instructed mankind that marriage should unite husband and wife together in unity. Therefore, there is not a president or a vice president in a family. The couple works together eternally for the good of the family. They are united together in word, in deed, and in action as they lead, guide, and direct their family unit. They are on equal footing. They plan and organize the affairs of the family jointly and unanimously as they move forward.”14

What happens then when a spouse dies? President Oaks taught: “When my father died, my mother presided over our family. She had no priesthood office, but as the surviving parent in her marriage she had become the governing officer in her family. At the same time, she was always totally respectful of the priesthood authority of our bishop and other Church leaders. She presided over her family, but they presided over the Church.”

 

A section on how temple blessings endow power on both men and women equally (including single women)-

Quote

 

Both women and men (single and married) may be endowed with priesthood power in the temple.

In 1833 the Lord promised Joseph Smith that the Saints, both men and women, would be endowed with “power from on high” (Doctrine and Covenants 95:8). President Ballard clarified: “The endowment is literally a gift of power. All who enter the house of the Lord officiate in the ordinances of the priesthood. This applies to men and women alike.”10 All worthy members who have received their endowment and keep the covenants they have made in the temple have priesthood power. Thus, women, married or single, can have priesthood power in their homes regardless of a visit from a priesthood holder.

Sheri Dew, former counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, asked, “What does it mean to have access to priesthood power? It means that we can receive revelation, be blessed and aided by the ministering of angels, learn to part the veil that separates us from our Heavenly Father, be strengthened to resist temptation, be protected, and be enlightened, and made smarter than we are—all without any mortal intermediary.”11 What is the most important outcome of this power and how is it received? The Lord has revealed that “the power of godliness,” including the power to become like Him, is manifested through priesthood ordinances (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:20).

 

Under a section titled "Stumbling Blocks" it says this (among other things)-

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Confusion by both men and women regarding the priesthood.

President Oaks taught: “The Melchizedek Priesthood is not a status or a label. It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of God’s work for His children. We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not ‘the priesthood.’ It is not appropriate to refer to ‘the priesthood and the women.’ We should refer to ‘the holders of the priesthood and the women.’”16

By saying, “The priesthood will now sing a song,” or “we need priesthood volunteers to go to Young Women camp,” we are doing ourselves and others, no matter how well intended, a disservice by instigating and perpetuating confusion and minimizing God’s power.

 

Yes!  I don't think that this point can be made enough.

and-

Quote

 

Putting limits on women that aren’t really there.

It’s clear that some callings in the Church require ordination to priesthood office, but we must be careful not to limit our women simply based on culture, history, false perceptions, or traditions. For example, women can be capable leaders and teachers, important voices in Church councils, and powerful examples of discipleship to members of all ages.

 

There is a lot more to the article that I didn't quote but like I said before, this article is making the rounds in my area and I thought others might be interested in it as well.  Surprisingly this article was the topic of discussion at my stake's last priesthood leadership meeting.  Our ward EQP pointed out what an awesome article it was and then lamented that the women weren't invited to the leadership meeting if we really do use the exact same priesthood power to fulfill our leadership callings in the ward that he does.  

Baby steps, but things are looking up.

Edited March 4, 2019 by bluebell

[ksfisher]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

Surprisingly this article was the topic of discussion at my stake's last priesthood leadership meeting.  Our ward EQP pointed out what an awesome article it was and then lamented that the women weren't invited to the leadership meeting if we really do use the exact same priesthood power to fulfill our leadership callings in the ward that he does.  

My stake doesn't have priesthood leadership meetings any more in connection with stake conference.  Last year we started having leadership meetings to which all adults holding leadership callings in the stake were invited. 

[bluebell]

25 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

My stake doesn't have priesthood leadership meetings any more in connection with stake conference.  Last year we started having leadership meetings to which all adults holding leadership callings in the stake were invited. 

Our's doesn't have them in connection with stake conference; they seem to just have them whenever.  We had one last week and I don't think our next stake conference is happening until May.

[CV75]

2 hours ago, bluebell said:

March's Ensign has an article that is creating a lot of buzz in my neck of the woods.  It's titled Connecting Daughters of God to His Priesthood. Here are some interesting quotes from it.

I've assigned a sacrament speaker to share some impressions from reading this excellent article.

[california boy]

What are they saying here?

Quote

 

Women have authority to perform their callings, under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys, just as men do. President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated, “Those who have priesthood keys … literally make it possible for all who serve faithfully under their direction to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”6

President Oaks said: “We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood.”

 

 

Has church leaders found a way to give women equal authority with out giving them the priesthood?  Could a bishop give a woman the authority to bless the sacrament?  Could a bishop give the priesthood authority to a woman to bless the sick?  Or give an name and a blessing to a baby?  Or be sunday school president?  How about baptize if they are given the priesthood authority to do it?

In short, if someone having the authority gives priesthood authority to a woman to perform any priesthood function, then what could women not do other than be ordaned to a priesthood office.  

Is this as big of deal as I am making it out to be???

[Robert F. Smith]

5 hours ago, bluebell said:

March's Ensign......................

Baby steps, but things are looking up.

They sure are !!!

[Robert F. Smith]

37 minutes ago, california boy said:

What are they saying here?

Has church leaders found a way to give women equal authority with out giving them the priesthood?  Could a bishop give a woman the authority to bless the sacrament?  Could a bishop give the priesthood authority to a woman to bless the sick?  Or give an name and a blessing to a baby?  Or be sunday school president?  How about baptize if they are given the priesthood authority to do it?

In short, if someone having the authority gives priesthood authority to a woman to perform any priesthood function, then what could women not do other than be ordaned to a priesthood office.  

Is this as big of deal as I am making it out to be???

Well, the Relief Society under Emma Smith was given some awesome powers -- later taken away -- and could presumably be granted such again.

[california boy]

31 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Well, the Relief Society under Emma Smith was given some awesome powers -- later taken away -- and could presumably be granted such again.

Do you think it is possible for a woman to begiven the priesthood authority to act as a bishop?

Do you think this move is monumental in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Edited March 5, 2019 by california boy

[The Nehor]

20 minutes ago, california boy said:

Do you think it is possible for a woman to begiven the priesthood authority to act as a bishop?

Do you think this move is monumental in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Probably not without being ordained. Getting authority is one thing. Being given keys as are required for Priesthood probably requires ordination.

Then again I think we are moving in the direction of that ordination.

 

I think this is God slowly moving us towards this so maybe not monumental but close.

[california boy]

5 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Probably not without being ordained. Getting authority is one thing. Being given keys as are required for Priesthood probably requires ordination.

Then again I think we are moving in the direction of that ordination.

 

I think this is God slowly moving us towards this so maybe not monumental but close.

Why would an ordination be required.  Isn't setting apart the act of giving the authority of the priesthood as President Oaks describes it?  

It seems to me this is the first volley to having equality in the Church.  Get the members used to the idea and then claim it is nothing new and they can point to this article and previous Relief Society authority as it being no change in doctrine.  That is all that seems to be needed.  I have seen this method used over and over again when a seminal change has been made. 

[clarkgoble]

10 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Probably not without being ordained. Getting authority is one thing. Being given keys as are required for Priesthood probably requires ordination.

Ordination is to a degree of priesthood (Aaronic or Melchezedek) but doesn't necessarily confer keys. So a Bishop's keys aren't given when you get the Melchizedek Priesthood. 

The question will become the relationship of the temple/cosmological priesthood compared to the priesthood in D&C 84. Different historians have different theories there. Quinn sees them as the same famously which partially may have led to his court. (I know it wasn't the only thing and don't want to go down a tangent in that direction) However Stapley sees them as completely separate. So what was the Relief Society's relationship to the Elder's Quorum and to the temple endowment.

There's more issues here than Oaks has really clarified.

[The Nehor]

18 minutes ago, california boy said:

Why would an ordination be required.  Isn't setting apart the act of giving the authority of the priesthood as President Oaks describes it?  

It seems to me this is the first volley to having equality in the Church.  Get the members used to the idea and then claim it is nothing new and they can point to this article and previous Relief Society authority as it being no change in doctrine.  That is all that seems to be needed.  I have seen this method used over and over again when a seminal change has been made. 

Setting apart gives authority but not keys. One can hold the Priesthood and not have keys as well of course.

If a woman were made Bishop by setting apart she would be the president of the Priest Quorum without holding the Priesthood. She would be dictating how to bless the sacrament without having the authority to do it. This is usually not how the church is run. The Apostles can perform any ordinance and delegate that authority down the line but it is rare that anyone reports to someone who has less authority then they do in terms of performing ordinances. There are a few exceptions such as the stake patriarch reports to the stake president who cannot give patriarchal blessings but in general that is how things work.

I do not see women holding Priesthood keys without holding the priesthood. I sometimes suspect that there are priesthood offices exclusive to women with duties and responsibilities we do not yet know but that are coming and they will be ordained and set apart to their new offices. Either that or integrated into the same offices. Or they will not receive it. But I doubt the latter.

[JLHPROF]

47 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Setting apart gives authority but not keys. One can hold the Priesthood and not have keys as well of course.

I do not see women holding Priesthood keys without holding the priesthood.

One can hold priesthood without keys.

Keys without priesthood office?  Isn't that exactly what we receive in the temple, men and women alike?

[california boy]

39 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Setting apart gives authority but not keys. One can hold the Priesthood and not have keys as well of course.

If a woman were made Bishop by setting apart she would be the president of the Priest Quorum without holding the Priesthood. She would be dictating how to bless the sacrament without having the authority to do it. This is usually not how the church is run. The Apostles can perform any ordinance and delegate that authority down the line but it is rare that anyone reports to someone who has less authority then they do in terms of performing ordinances. There are a few exceptions such as the stake patriarch reports to the stake president who cannot give patriarchal blessings but in general that is how things work.

I do not see women holding Priesthood keys without holding the priesthood. I sometimes suspect that there are priesthood offices exclusive to women with duties and responsibilities we do not yet know but that are coming and they will be ordained and set apart to their new offices. Either that or integrated into the same offices. Or they will not receive it. But I doubt the latter.

You bring up a good point about being president of the Priest quorum.  I had not thought of that.  However, I. would think that she could direct the sacraement if she was given the priesthood authroity to do so.  I agree that there is a lot of tradition about these issues.  Sometimes it is difficult to separate traditon from doctrine, policy from revelation..  Could a bishop give priesthood authority for a woman to bless the sacrament?  

I definitely think it is an interesting development.

[california boy]

1 minute ago, JLHPROF said:

One can hold priesthood without keys.

Keys without priesthood office?  Isn't that exactly what we receive in the temple, men and women alike?

That is an interesting thought.

[Robert F. Smith]

1 hour ago, california boy said:

Do you think it is possible for a woman to begiven the priesthood authority to act as a bishop?

...................................

I wouldn't imagine that the Brethren would go quite that far.  However, there are intermediate steps which might be taken.

[california boy]

51 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I wouldn't imagine that the Brethren would go quite that far.  However, there are intermediate steps which might be taken.

Yeah.  I am not expecting anything remotely like this in the near future.  Just kind of facinated where this line of reasoning might be headed.

[blueglass]

Just this past Sunday, the bishop thanked "the priesthood" for reverently blessing and passing the sacrament, and invited them to take their seats in the congregation.  The boys as little kings then took their seats.   We can change President Oaks quote a little to make it work equally.  "It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of [Goddess'] work for [Her] children."  There we go now it's all better.  

Edited March 5, 2019 by blueglass

[The Nehor]

3 hours ago, california boy said:

You bring up a good point about being president of the Priest quorum.  I had not thought of that.  However, I. would think that she could direct the sacraement if she was given the priesthood authroity to do so.  I agree that there is a lot of tradition about these issues.  Sometimes it is difficult to separate traditon from doctrine, policy from revelation..  Could a bishop give priesthood authority for a woman to bless the sacrament?  

I definitely think it is an interesting development.

It would take a lot of explanation for someone not holding the Priesthood to bless the sacrament. The Doctrine and Covenants places it as a duty of the priests and priest is a priesthood office.

[The Nehor]

33 minutes ago, blueglass said:

Just this past Sunday, the bishop thanked "the priesthood" for reverently blessing and passing the sacrament, and invited them to take their seats in the congregation.  The boys as little kings then took their seats.   We can change President Oaks quote a little to make it work equally.  "It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of [Goddess'] work for [Her] children."  There we go now it's all better.  

God is not necessarily a mono-gendered noun in the LDS faith. I would suggest a Goddess is already included in the title God.

[The Nehor]

3 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

One can hold priesthood without keys.

Keys without priesthood office?  Isn't that exactly what we receive in the temple, men and women alike?

I would say no.

[JLHPROF]

17 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

I would say no.

Then you may want to reconsider.  The things given in the temple don't just have the word "priesthood" tacked on for poetic reasons.

Men and women alike receive garments, robes, signs, and tokens representing priesthood authority.  They are promised future offices but receive none there.

But what they are given provides keys to recognize good from evil, pierce the veil, receive real revelations and enter God's presence.  What more important keys are there?

Edited March 5, 2019 by JLHPROF

[The Nehor]

19 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

Then you may want to reconsider.  The things given in the temple don't just have the word "priesthood" tacked on for poetic reasons.

Men and women alike receive garments, robes, signs, and tokens representing priesthood authority.  They are promised future offices but receive none there.

But what they are given provides keys to recognize good from evil, pierce the veil, receive real revelations and enter God's presence.  What more important keys are there?

I do not believe those are synonymous with the keys of directing Priesthood use that we mean we talk about the keys of the Priesthood. I have also heard General Authorities define who holds Priesthood keys and the definition did not include everyone who has gone through the temple.

[Glenn101]

One of the things that I am taking away from this is that probably there are few of us who have really understood how the Priesthood actually works or is supposed to work here on this earth and especially how it works on the other side of the veil. That is true at least for me. I find these new revelations fascinating and uplifting.

Glenn

[bluebell]

14 hours ago, california boy said:

What are they saying here?

Has church leaders found a way to give women equal authority with out giving them the priesthood?  Could a bishop give a woman the authority to bless the sacrament?  Could a bishop give the priesthood authority to a woman to bless the sick?  Or give an name and a blessing to a baby?  Or be sunday school president?  How about baptize if they are given the priesthood authority to do it?

In short, if someone having the authority gives priesthood authority to a woman to perform any priesthood function, then what could women not do other than be ordaned to a priesthood office.  

Is this as big of deal as I am making it out to be???

Some priesthood authority requires ordination (and some also requires the reception of keys), and so no, someone having authority can not give priesthood authority to a woman to perform any priesthood function.