Women and the Priesthood

Church was quite interesting today. It opened my eyes to an issue that has been going on. Women that want to be able to hold the priesthood.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the men are the bearers of the priesthood. My husband carries the priesthood and has been set apart and ordained by another man, his father, that carries the priesthood. The line of authority can be traced from priesthood holder to priesthood holder all the way back to Jesus Christ.

The priesthood is the authority to act in God’s name. The same priesthood authority that existed in the original Church established by Jesus Christ exists in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. The Church is directed and led through this authority.

All male members of the Church who are prepared receive the priesthood in order to help lead the Church and serve Heavenly Father’s children. A man with the priesthood might serve in some of the following ways:

Leading congregations of the Church
Performing the ordinances of the Church, such as baptism
Blessing those who are sick

My husband has used the priesthood to baptize our daughters and confirm the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them. He has given them blessings of healing and blessings of comfort. When they were born he also gave them a baby blessing. My husband has been able to give me blessings of healing and comfort as well.

In various callings in the church my husband has used his priesthood to bless others. Right now he serves as Ward Mission Leader, which is a calling that works closely with the missionaries and helps teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the past, he served as a councilor over the young men's program, and has been a great example to some wonderful youth. Every calling that comes to my husband has been extended through the priesthood. He has been set apart and been given authority to act for Jesus Christ in his behalf.

Women in our church also receive callings in which we are set apart by the priesthood. We do not carry the priesthood, but we are given authority and stewardship over our portion. In the past, I have served as a teacher in the Relief Society (women's organization). I was set apart by hands laid on my head. By being set apart in my calling, I had the authority as the teacher to lead the class in a spiritual discussion  under the direction of the priesthood. It was most definitely a great undertaking, but each month as I prepared my lesson, I could feel the guidance of the spirit and was able to prepare my lessons to meet the needs of the sisters.

Never once have I ever wanted to hold the priesthood. Being a women is such a divine calling in its self, that I could not imagine wanting to shoulder the great responsibility of carrying the priesthood. I am a daughter of God. I have already made sacred covenants at baptism to stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places, even unto death. I am a mother, the hardest and most divine calling there is. I am equally yoked with my husband. We have a sacred responsibility to raise our children together. We have been married in the temple of The Lord, sealed for time and all eternity by the power of the priesthood. What more could I want? I am so blessed. My testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ is my sure foundation.

The men can have the priesthood because they use it to serve the rest of us. I am blessed by my husband. I am blessed by my faith in Jesus Christ. I am blessed.