Women and the priesthood - Revision history

SpencerMarsh at 18:47, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T18:47:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 5 February 2026
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	<small>[[Mormonism and gender issues\|Social Issues in the Church]] > <span style="color:#99B36C"> Women and the Priesthood</span></small>		<small>[[Mormonism and gender issues\|Social Issues in the Church]] > <span style="color:#99B36C"> Women and the Priesthood</span></small>
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	<h1><b>Women and the Priesthood</b></h1>		<h1><b>Women and the Priesthood</b></h1>
	'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the relationship between women and the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.		'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the relationship between women and the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

SpencerMarsh at 18:47, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T18:47:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 5 February 2026
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	~~{{Main Page}}~~		<small>[[Mormonism and gender issues\|Social Issues in the Church]] > <span style="color:#99B36C"> Women and the Priesthood</span></small>
	~~{{Navigation~~:~~Social issues}}{{blankline}}~~
	<h1><b>Women and the Priesthood</b></h1>		<h1><b>Women and the Priesthood</b></h1>
	'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the relationship between women and the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.		'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the relationship between women and the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

SpencerMarsh at 16:35, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T16:35:23Z

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GregSmith at 01:16, 5 June 2024

2024-06-05T01:16:20Z

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	If we cannot perceive Latter-day Saint women who are prophets, we may be thinking of "prophet" as a position of influence or power, rather than as a spiritual gift to which all are called to be worthy.		If we cannot perceive Latter-day Saint women who are prophets, we may be thinking of "prophet" as a position of influence or power, rather than as a spiritual gift to which all are called to be worthy.

			{{To learn more box:women: priesthood}}{{blankline}}

	{{Endnotes sources}}		{{Endnotes sources}}

GregSmith: /* Most people—male and female—act with delegated authority */

2024-06-04T22:32:06Z

Most people—male and female—act with delegated authority

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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Most members, then, will spend all or most of their Church ''callings'' functioning under delegated authority, not authority to which they are ordained. (Men will, however, often be called on to exercise priesthood in the performance of ''ordinances'', such as blessing the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, or confirming—these duties are not carried out as part of a calling, but in one's role as an ordained holder of the priesthood.)		Most members, then, will spend all or most of their Church ''callings'' functioning under delegated authority, not authority to which they are ordained.<ref>Men will, however, often be called on to exercise priesthood in the performance of ''ordinances'', such as blessing the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, or confirming—these duties are not carried out as part of a calling, but in one's role as an ordained holder of the priesthood.</ref>

	And, that delegated authority is even used by women in temples to administer sacred ordinance, see [[#Women and priesthood in a temple context\|above]].		And, that delegated authority is even used by women in temples to administer sacred ordinance, see [[#Women and priesthood in a temple context\|above]].

GregSmith: /* Most people—male and female—act with delegated authority */

2024-06-04T22:31:35Z

Most people—male and female—act with delegated authority

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 4 June 2024
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	Most members, then, will spend all or most of their Church ''callings'' functioning under delegated authority, not authority to which they are ordained. (Men will, however, often be called on to exercise priesthood in the performance of ''ordinances'', such as blessing the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, or confirming—these duties are not carried out as part of a calling, but in one's role as an ordained holder of the priesthood.)		Most members, then, will spend all or most of their Church ''callings'' functioning under delegated authority, not authority to which they are ordained. (Men will, however, often be called on to exercise priesthood in the performance of ''ordinances'', such as blessing the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, or confirming—these duties are not carried out as part of a calling, but in one's role as an ordained holder of the priesthood.)

	And, that delegated authority is even used by women in temples to administer sacred ordinance		And, that delegated authority is even used by women in temples to administer sacred ordinance, see [[#Women and priesthood in a temple context\|above]].

	==We need a more expansive view of how priesthood authority is used by all faithful Church members==		==We need a more expansive view of how priesthood authority is used by all faithful Church members==

GregSmith: /* Women and Priesthood in a temple context */

2024-06-04T22:31:02Z

Women and Priesthood in a temple context

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 4 June 2024
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	== Women and ~~Priesthood~~ in a temple context ==		== Women and priesthood in a temple context ==

	The one area where there was little change was in the ordinances of the temple. It was widely recognized that women officiated in ordinances in the temple, and the liturgical language of the endowment recognized women as priestesses. It is in this context that we see references back to Joseph Smith’s teachings of a priesthood given in the temple. After the completion of the St. George temple, and the resumption of temple work, there was a push to formalize the liturgy of the temple, and to make sure that it was consistent across the Church. In this context the question of women’s participation in ordinances both within the temple context and outside it came under scrutiny. In 1888, President Franklin D. Richards provided some additional insight:		The one area where there was little change was in the ordinances of the temple. It was widely recognized that women officiated in ordinances in the temple, and the liturgical language of the endowment recognized women as priestesses. It is in this context that we see references back to Joseph Smith’s teachings of a priesthood given in the temple. After the completion of the St. George temple, and the resumption of temple work, there was a push to formalize the liturgy of the temple, and to make sure that it was consistent across the Church. In this context the question of women’s participation in ordinances both within the temple context and outside it came under scrutiny. In 1888, President Franklin D. Richards provided some additional insight:

GregSmith at 22:30, 4 June 2024

2024-06-04T22:30:32Z

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	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? 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. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.		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? 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. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.

	Whoever exercises priesthood authority should forget about their rights and concentrate on their responsibilities.		Whoever exercises priesthood authority should forget about their rights and concentrate on their responsibilities.<ref name="oaks"></ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Most members, then, will spend all or most of their Church ''callings'' functioning under delegated authority, not authority to which they are ordained. (Men will, however, often be called on to exercise priesthood in the performance of ''ordinances'', such as blessing the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, or confirming—these duties are not carried out as part of a calling, but in one's role as an ordained holder of the priesthood.)		Most members, then, will spend all or most of their Church ''callings'' functioning under delegated authority, not authority to which they are ordained. (Men will, however, often be called on to exercise priesthood in the performance of ''ordinances'', such as blessing the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, or confirming—these duties are not carried out as part of a calling, but in one's role as an ordained holder of the priesthood.)

	~~==Even~~ delegated authority ~~can perform temple~~ ordinance==		And, that delegated authority is even used by women in temples to administer sacred ordinance

	==We need a more expansive view of how priesthood authority is used by all faithful Church members==		==We need a more expansive view of how priesthood authority is used by all faithful Church members==
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	== The fact that there is a person designated as "The Prophet" for the Church does not preclude others from having the gift of prophecy ==		== The fact that there is a person designated as "The Prophet" for the Church does not preclude others from having the gift of prophecy ==

	A "prophet" is often regarded as an office to which one is formally called and set apart. Latter-day Saints often refer to the President of the Church as "The Prophet," ~~although they are not technically the same thing.~~ In ~~ancient days~~, ~~it was not possible to instantly communicate with~~ the ~~world as it~~ is ~~today~~. ~~There were multiple prophets~~ on the ~~earth~~ who ~~communicated~~ the ~~Lord's will~~ to the ~~people~~ for ~~whom they were responsible~~. ~~For example, there were prophets simultaneously in the New~~ and the ~~Old Worlds. Today~~, ~~however, it is possible~~ to ~~have one prophet who is responsible for communicating~~ the ~~Lord's~~ will ~~worldwide~~. The ~~fact~~ that ~~there is a person designated~~ as "The Prophet" ~~for~~ the ~~Church does not preclude others from having~~ the gift of prophecy.		A "prophet" is often regarded as an office to which one is formally called and set apart. Latter-day Saints often refer to the President of the Church as "The Prophet." In this sense, ''the'' prophet is a priesthood position held by the senior apostle on earth. As President Dallin H. Oaks noted:

			<blockquote>
			The divine nature of the limitations put upon the exercise of priesthood keys explains an essential contrast between decisions on matters of Church administration and decisions affecting the priesthood. The First Presidency and the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, who preside over the Church, are empowered to make many decisions affecting Church policies and procedures—matters such as the location of Church buildings and the ages for missionary service. But even though these presiding authorities hold and exercise all of the keys delegated to men in this dispensation, they are not free to alter the divinely decreed pattern that only men will hold offices in the priesthood. ...

			The Lord has directed that only men will be ordained to offices in the priesthood. But, as various Church leaders have emphasized, men are not “the priesthood.”
			</blockquote>

			In the same way, "The Prophet" is certainly a prophet, but he is not the only one who can or should possess the gift of prophecy.

	From the Bible Dictionary definition for "Prophet," we read the following:		From the Bible Dictionary definition for "Prophet," we read the following:
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	Along with the prophetesses mentioned above, the word "prophetess" is used in two other ways in the Bible and Book of Mormon: the false prophetess and the consort prophetess.		Along with the prophetesses mentioned above, the word "prophetess" is used in two other ways in the Bible and Book of Mormon: the false prophetess and the consort prophetess.

	== The ~~False Prophetess~~ ==		== The false prophetess ==

	In the New Testament, the word is applied to "that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess."{{s\|\|Rev\|2\|20}} According to the Bible Dictionary, the use here is figurative and is part of a historical allusion used by John to communicate a threat of serious apostasy—a dark parallel to the woman and child that reprsent the Church of God (see {{s\|\|Rev\|12\|}}, especially [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/jst/jst-rev/12?lang=eng&id=p1-p17#p1 JST Revelation 12:7]. This reference to the spiritually disastrous reign of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel warns of a situation early church members should have recognized as dramatic and dangerous.		In the New Testament, the word is applied to "that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess."{{s\|\|Rev\|2\|20}} According to the Bible Dictionary, the use here is figurative and is part of a historical allusion used by John to communicate a threat of serious apostasy—a dark parallel to the woman and child that reprsent the Church of God (see {{s\|\|Rev\|12\|}}, especially [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/jst/jst-rev/12?lang=eng&id=p1-p17#p1 JST Revelation 12:7]. This reference to the spiritually disastrous reign of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel warns of a situation early church members should have recognized as dramatic and dangerous.

			It does not preclude righteous women from acting as prophets any more than the existence of false male prophets precludes men from doing so.

	The negative use of "prophetess" shows there must have been real significance attached to the word. Otherwise, its abuse by a Jezebel figure wouldn’t have been put forward as a sign of an insidious and destructive movement within the early church.		The negative use of "prophetess" shows there must have been real significance attached to the word. Otherwise, its abuse by a Jezebel figure wouldn’t have been put forward as a sign of an insidious and destructive movement within the early church.
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	== Why are there no female prophets today? ==		== Why are there no female prophets today? ==

	Knowing that any righteous individual can have gifts of the spirit, one really ought to ask: "Why do you not notice the females in the Church who are prophets?" The Lord has asked His people in ages past, and today ~~to be~~:		Knowing that any righteous individual can have gifts of the spirit, one really ought to ask: "Why do you not notice the females in the Church who are prophets?" The Lord has asked His people in ages past, and today:

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
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	He has also said that this is "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" ({{b\|1\|Peter\|2\|9}})		He has also said that this is "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" ({{b\|1\|Peter\|2\|9}})

	Moses desired all the Lord's people to be prophets~~, he said~~:		Moses desired all the Lord's people to be prophets:

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! ({{b\|\|Numbers\|11\|\|29}})		Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! ({{b\|\|Numbers\|11\|\|29}})
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

			If we cannot perceive Latter-day Saint women who are prophets, we may be thinking of "prophet" as a position of influence or power, rather than as a spiritual gift to which all are called to be worthy.

	{{Endnotes sources}}		{{Endnotes sources}}

GregSmith: /* Most people—male and female—act with delegated authority */

2024-06-04T22:22:43Z

Most people—male and female—act with delegated authority

@@ Line 222: / Line 222: @@
 * stake, temple, and mission presidents
 * apostles
 ==We need a more expansive view of how priesthood authority is used by all faithful Church members==

GregSmith: /* Connections between women, priesthood and celestial marriage */

2024-06-04T22:13:05Z

Connections between women, priesthood and celestial marriage

@@ Line 203: / Line 203: @@
 <blockquote>
 Our Church doctrine places women equal to and yet different from men. God does not regard either gender as better or more important than the other. … When men and women go to the temple, they are both endowed with the same power, which is priesthood power. … Access to the power and the blessings of the priesthood is available to all of God’s children.<ref name="oaks">{{Ensign|author=Dallin H. Oaks|article=The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood|url=https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-keys-and-authority-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng|date=May 2014}}</ref>
 </blockquote>