Priesthood as a Male Responsibility--A Matter of Trust

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. I am a Mormon. I am not an oppressed woman. In my Doctrine and Covenants class we are reading about the restoration and duties of the priesthood. We believe that God restored the priesthood, the power and authority of God to minister and conduct ordinances, in the 1800's to Joseph Smith. We believe that the priesthood is a male responsibility.

I have heard many different reasons that the priesthood is a male responsibility. One is that men needed to be officially given the duty to take care of those who need it, and women will just do it anyway. Another reason I've heard is that it makes men on equal footing with women to do what God wants them to do, because women do so through motherhood. There are probably many other reasons that I have not heard. I have never been taught that the priesthood is like golf, "Gentleman only, ladies forbidden," a men-only club.

I do not know the "real" reason that the priesthood is given to men and not women, and that has never really bothered me. I love the Lord, and I trust Him. I know that the Lord loves and trusts me. Therefore, that God says the priesthood is a male responsibility is enough for me. I don't worry that it's because I'm not good enough to have it, and I am not threatened that the men in my life have it. Rather, I am grateful that I am blessed to have access to the power of God.

Feasting or Force-fed?

I am always pleasantly surprised when I enjoy reading the scriptures, although I know I shouldn't be. At church everyone always says how wonderful the scriptures are, and in Sunday School we try to make the scriptures interesting and pull out moral truths. And reading the scriptures is one of the "Primary answers" that are learned when five years old and answer any question.

"What should I do if I'm feeling lonely?"

"Read the scriptures, pray, Jesus."

"What do I do when something bad happens?"

"Read the scriptures, pray, Jesus."

Reading the scriptures is pounded so heavily they must be vital. But I am always surprised when I actually enjoy them, find answers and comfort, and feel like I get to know God better.

I think it's in the same way that I am always pleasantly surprised when I like one of the "classic" books that are crammed down our throats in school. I know that theoretically the classics are called so because they are good by any age's measures. But I am rather amazed when I find that I still like a book after plodding through worksheets, papers, symbolism discussions, and tests that all try to force feed the reader the wonders of the book.

Jane Eyre, for example. I was expecting a Gothic romance-tragedy stripped of all humanity--much like the black and white movie of Jane Eyre I watched for a bit on TV once long ago. I wasn't expecting that every now and then Charlotte Bronte would write something and . . . that's just what I was thinking! I would feel a connection between myself and an author long dead because of an immortal character.

In my Doctrine and Covenants class we are reading the personal words from the Lord to some of the early church members. I feel like the scriptures are more applicable to me when I read what the Lord said to so-and-so, another person just trying to do their best. As I read the words of the Lord I feel His Spirit testifying that these are not the words of an author long dead--these are the words of a living God.