Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Ordination Outlook

Like many women that belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've been pondering the topic of ordaining women to the Priesthood. https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood?lang=eng

And in all honesty, my heart hurts.

 I know the reasons are many and are not black and white for those desiring ordination for women to the priesthood. I also understand and believe that questioning is a part and even essential to our spiritual growth. I am an advocate for equality and civil rights. But ordaining women to the priesthood is neither.

The bottom line is: this is Christ's church. He is at its' head, not men, not a man, not a woman/men, it is His church and His doctrine. President Gordon B. Hinckley explained that it was the Lord, not man, “who designated that men in His Church should hold the priesthood” and that it was also the Lord who endowed women with “capabilities to round out this great and marvelous organization, which is the Church and kingdom of God” (“Women of the Church,” Ensign, November 1996, 70). When all is said and done, the Lord has not revealed why He has organized His Church as He has. ("Let Us Think Straight," Elder Ballard, Aug. 2013) http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2133


And that is why faith is paramount to our belief system. We don't know why...But I have faith that the Lord knows better than I do. And our Father in Heaven has our best interest at heart. I look at earthy fathers as an example. Primarily, our earthly fathers desire what is best for us. Yet, our earthy fathers are susceptible to blunder and can disappoint. However, our Heavenly Father is omnipotent and omniscient and every other "omni" good thing out there! God is good and loves His daughters and sons equally and perfectly. His kingdom here on earth is lead by His son, Jesus Christ. The prophet here on earth, Thomas S. Monson speaks on behalf of God and Jesus Christ. I will listen to His prophet and His apostles. And so....until His prophet says it's time to ordain women to the priesthood, I am happy to strengthen my faith and remember "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/55.8?lang=eng#7




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