Women and the Priesthood

“Immersing ourselves in the things of heaven … is not about doing more. But it may be about doing things differently.”

“As we sang these words in what was a deeply moving experience … I couldn’t help but feel that Sister Perry’s inspired new lyrics were just as relevant for all the women of the Church.”

“How many people in this room hold priesthood keys?” I was surprised as I read aloud their diverse responses! “1,” “50,” “25,” “4,” “all of us,” “none of us,” “just the men in the room who hold the priesthood,” “all who have been through the temple,” and my favorite, most sincere answer, “I have no idea!”

President Jean B. Bingham has seen firsthand how President Nelson’s noteworthy and unique perspective has been a blessing to Latter-day Saint women.

Tammy Uzelac Hall explains why “virtue” is less about chastity or modesty and more about the power we receive though covenants.

With the Church's current emphasis on home-centered gospel learning, Latter-day Saints are striving to understand priesthood power perhaps more than ever. Some people are surprised to learn that priesthood authority, privileges, and power apply to women as well as to men.

Editor's note: "This Week from the Pulpit" highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers and leaders of the Church

During the women’s session of the October 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson made this powerful statement to the sisters of the Church: “How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man.” He then entreated the women of the Church “to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power.”

In this week’s Come, Follow Me, readers learn about the priesthood in Alma 13 and how priesthood holders are “called and prepared from the foundation of the world” (Alma 13:3). While the topic of men and the priesthood has long been taught by prophets and apostles, the subject of women and the priesthood has recently garnered more attention.

I recently sat with a number of members of the Community of Christ, previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as part of an interfaith dialogue. I have great love and respect for these people, those I consider brothers and sisters in the faith. We talked openly and in a friendly manner about similarities and differences between our two churches and landed squarely on the topic of women and the priesthood. One of the women in the room who had been ordained to the priesthood described her responsibilities and shared her feelings regarding the blessing it was for her to be able to perform priesthood ordinances.

I recently sat with a number of members of the Community of Christ, previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as part of an interfaith dialogue. I have great love and respect for these people, those I consider brothers and sisters in the faith. We talked openly and in a friendly manner about similarities and differences between our two churches and landed squarely on the topic of women and the priesthood. One of the women in the room who had been ordained to the priesthood described her responsibilities and shared her feelings regarding the blessing it was for her to be able to perform priesthood ordinances.

“I believe it will change your life.”

As a young sister missionary, having been set apart by my father, who was the stake president, I wondered how it was that I was able to preach the gospel to the wonderful people of Los Angeles when I did not have the authority of the priesthood as the ordained elders did. I obediently taught the gospel and felt the influence of the Spirit strongly, even to exhorting and promising, but I wondered how that was possible. I understood that I was not ordained to a priesthood office and therefore could not perform priesthood ordinances outside the temple, but I still felt that I had authority—being a full-time, set-apart, assigned-by-the-prophet missionary—to help people obtain salvation. I even felt, although I didn’t understand how, that I was authorized by the Lord to do so. Here is what I have found about this and five other sometimes confusing aspects of priesthood power and women.

"Several months ago, at the end of a temple endowment session, I said to my wife, 'I hope the sisters understand the spiritual treasures that are theirs in the temple,'" President Russell M. Nelson said during the women's session of general conference. "Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power."

"In the Church, we rightly talk a lot about the priesthood, or God’s power on the earth. From conversations I’ve had with women and men over the years, there are some things we get wrong when it comes to understanding God’s power and who has access to it," Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the general Relief Society presidency, recently shared on Facebook. "All men and women who make covenants and keep them have the ability to draw priesthood power into their lives. The real question isn’t 'Do you have the priesthood?' but 'What are you doing with the priesthood power you have?' The essential nature of priesthood power is to bless and improve the lives of others."

Some may remember a story of President Spencer W. Kimball helping a stranded pregnant woman in the airport who was pushing along her young toddler.1 President Kimball comforted the woman, whom he had never met and knew nothing about, gave the little girl a piece of gum, and got the young, pregnant, exhausted mother and her wet and hungry 2-year-old daughter on the next flight out of the Chicago O’Hare airport.

More than 5,000 questions were submitted to the general Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidencies by women around the world in preparation for the upcoming Sister-to-Sister Event on Friday, May 3. While many will be answered during this event and more will be discussed by Church leaders in councils to help provide better clarity and understanding, one was answered by the general Relief Society presidency at BYU Women’s Conference. The question read:

Priesthood power is more than priesthood authority. With priesthood authority (authorization through someone holding priesthood keys), women and men can fulfill callings and assignments, represent the Church as missionaries, make covenants, and perform ordinances that are valid. With both priesthood authority and priesthood power, they can do these things in ways that magnify those callings, invite the Spirit, bless lives, develop spiritual gifts, and even bring about miracles. Relief Society General President Linda K. Burton affirms, “There is a difference . . . between priesthood authority and priesthood power. Priesthood authority is conferred by ordination, but priesthood power is available to all.”1

"I’m grateful that female lives provide at least some of the images Christ draws on in explaining the mighty realities behind some of our most important symbols for who He is."

How can we better understand the connection women have with priesthood power and help them “to step forward,” to “take [their] rightful and needful place in [their] home, in [their] community, and in the kingdom of God—more than [they] ever have before”?1 First, we can humbly seek to understand truths associated with the priesthood, especially the most recent teachings of Church leaders. Second, we can seek to understand why some women don’t fully realize their access to God’s priesthood power. Third, we can be aware of how we can help women more fully participate in the work God accomplishes through His priesthood power.

This is a part of a new LDS Living series where we will be highlighting the Church gospel topics essays, which provide insights into often challenging gospel topics and help Church members “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

Do you know a young Latter-day Saint who will soon be turning 12? Meridian Magazine shares five things every young man and woman should understand about the Aaronic priesthood.

Heavenly Father through the priesthood offers His eternal promises to each of His children.

For a more in-depth look at this topic, check out, "5 Ways Women Are Already Given Priesthood Authority and Officiate in Priesthood Ordinances in the Church."

In the early days of the Church, it was not uncommon for women to participate in giving blessings of healing and to wash and anoint women who were sick or about to give birth.

As sisters in the gospel, it is important to remember that all of the blessings of the priesthood apply to us as well. Help those you visit teach to see how they can be worthy to receive the blessings that come through the priesthood.

The following is a segment of an address originally given by Latter-day Saint Wendy Ulrich, Ph.D., at the FAIR Mormon conference and reposted with permission. To access the first part of the address, click here.

The following is a segment of an address originally given by Latter-day Saint Wendy Ulrich, Ph.D., at the FAIR Mormon conference and reposted with permission:

Both men and women can be given priesthood authority, exercise priesthood power, perform priesthood ordinances, and more.

A recent Mormon Channel Daily podcast discussed the topic of women and the priesthood, sharing quotes from LDS leaders about the "true rights and responsibilities" women have in connection with the priesthood.

The LDS Church is expanding its boundaries today far more than restricting them, the managing director of LDS Public Affairs said Tuesday at Utah Valley University.

What are some of the harmful myths we unconsciously spread in the Church about sisters and serving a mission? Here are three for starters: 1) marriage is more important than a mission, 2) sisters aren't as essential or effective as elders, and 3) because sisters don't hold the priesthood, they don't have power. Read on to find out why these are completely untrue.

Regardless of the outcome of this poll , one thing is clear and encouraging: most Church members believe in continuing revelation and sustain our Church leaders, no matter what.

MR says: After the Church released two new Gospel Topics essays focusing on the sensitive topics of women and the priesthood and our Heavenly Mother, many people from all backgrounds have begun commenting on the Church's stand on women being ordained to the priesthood.

The Church recently released two new Gospel Topics Essays that address the reality of our Heavenly Mother as well as the role of women within the Church.

With all the questions regarding marriage and priesthood lately, we should not be surprised to see that the Church has given us insight on such things so many years prior to things coming to a head, as they seem to be doing in the USA now.

LDS Church Spokesperson Jessica Moody issued the following statement Thursday in response to media inquiries concerning the ability of church members to raise questions and seek answers in the church.