Article Highlights How Women Are Essential Participants of the Priesthood
Contributed By Danielle Christensen, Church News staff writer
Women smile as they arrive at the Conference Center for the general women’s session of the October 2016 general conference. A new Ensign magazine article outlines how women are essential participants of the priesthood. Photo by Hans Koepsell, Deseret News.
Article Highlights
- Women have the authority of the priesthood while they are fulfilling Church callings.
- Priesthood is not a status or a label.
“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?” —President Dallin H. Oaks
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A new Ensign magazine article titled “Connecting Daughters of God with His Priesthood Power” outlines truths from Apostles and general women auxiliary leaders regarding women and their relationship with the priesthood. Here’s a brief look at a few of them.
- Both men and women have access to the power of the priesthood, which is the means “through which God accomplishes His great work.”
- Women are essential participants of the priesthood and act as “presidents, counselors, teachers, members of councils, sisters, and mothers.”
- Women and men have the authority to perform their callings “under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys.”
The article cites a quote from President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, who stated that women have the authority of the priesthood while they are fulfilling Church callings.
“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?” he asked. “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.”
In regards to temple worship, the article explains that men and women can be given power from on high through the endowment. This power includes receiving revelation, being aided by ministering angels, and finding the strength to resist temptation, among others.
However, according to the article, there is often confusion when it comes to priesthood power. Again referencing President Oaks, the article states that the priesthood is “not a status or a label” and that it’s important to remember that “men who hold the priesthood are not ‘the priesthood.’”
The article states that studying the priesthood is beneficial for both men and women and gives a list of ways members can be more fully involved in learning about it.
Learn more details about women and their relationship with the priesthood by reading the full article.
Women walk to the Conference Center to attend the women’s session of the October 2018 general conference. Photo by Laura Seitz, Deseret News. A new Ensign magazine article outlines how women are essential participants of the priesthood.
Sister missionaries speak to visitors on Temple Square during the women’s session of the October 2018 general conference. Photo by Laura Seitz, Deseret News. A new Ensign magazine article outlines how women are essential participants of the priesthood.
