Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints someday granted Priesthood ordination,
OR . . .
Women never being granted Priesthood ordination.
I’ve grappled for years what gender equity would feel like in the LDS church. It’s hard to articulate or even imagine some days. What would feel like to have the authority to give my own children blessings, to pray over my own sacrament emblems, or to have my own decision be final without approval/denial by a man? That feels glorious and yet so out of reach. These don’t feel like selfish desires, far from it. It’s so hard to describe what it feels like to be limited in the ways I can serve, bless, and minister to others. Through all of my contemplation, I’ve decided one thing:
I do not want to hold the Priesthood.
It’s not for me, and I believe it’s not meant for any woman.
Priesthood power is for men.
The hierarchical priesthood structure is made by men, for men, to men. It connects them to our Heavenly Father. It is of Christ. From the outside looking in, it feels firm, strong, powerful, stoic yet loving, externally given, service driven, a stewardship of duty—all good things, the masculine side of things. Priesthood imbues a very specific type of energy, one that doesn’t feel natural to me. I still believe in the need for it, in the beauty of it, and the mystical power of it from God, but it’s not for me.
I also believe Priesthood power is NOT meant to be used to be held over the heads of others, to preside over, to practice "righteous dominion" over, or to claim more authority over others. Too many in the LDS church use motherhood as a false equivalency to Priesthood. The fact that I can biologically birth children shouldn’t mean that men are automatically privileged to preside over me. Priesthood authority is also not a spiritual crutch (another common LDS fallacy). Men are not inherently less spiritually minded than women. They do not need God’s Priesthood to balance the spiritual playing field. It’s not a contest.
This man-made, benevolent patriarchy is not of God; it is not the eternal structure that I imagine.
I imagine instead, “Priest-ESS-hood.”
I believe Priestesshood dwells inherently within each of us women, directly bestowed from our Heavenly Mother. As I’ve explored and strengthened my relationship with Her, I’ve discovered Her energy, and it feels different from the Father’s. It’s softer, gentler, more internal, fluid, elastic, fueled from within, felt in nature, driven by compassion and empathy, a stewardship of care—all good things, the feminine side of things. Priestesshood power flows within ALL women, connecting us directly to Heavenly Mother, intended for the nurturing of all. It is no weaker or stronger, of no greater or less importance than men’s Priesthood power from Heavenly Father. Their energies just feel and work differently, but together they are harmonious, completely cooperative, not competitive. Their synergy compounds exponentially into one great whole, a godly combination, an eternal pattern, a full partnership.
Yes. Full partnership. This is what I envision.
I don’t think we have to wait until heaven to be part of a partnership structure like this. I envision something similar here and now in our church institution. Maybe this is what our prophet and apostles have been trying to articulate for years now. No, women don’t need external ordination to Priesthood. We already have our own internal power from Heavenly Mother. Therefore, our ability to tap into the feminine divine should be valued as equal to that of male Priesthood holders. This means no more need to segregate leadership responsibilities based on gender. ALL are qualified for the task because we ALL have direct power from the divine!
So how could this look institutionally? I envision full-gendered bishoprics and leadership councils. Two Bishops could partner together in each ward, one Priesthood holder, one Priestesshood holder. These leadership partners counsel together, call both men and women to church positions, and minister to their ward with assistance from other organizational co-ed presidencies. This same partnership structure can work at the stake level, area Seventies level, all the way up to the worldwide leadership level. Women can lead in any capacity with their Priestesshood power. And of course we would be led by both a male and female prophet who regularly collaborate together with the 12 male and female apostles.
Young women, starting at the age of 11, can start serving others by virtue of their Priestesshood, right alongside their young men counterparts. Many opportunities can be given to all youth and young adults to practice developing their divine authority. The different perspectives and influence from both our Heavenly Parents will fill the gaps we are missing today in our leadership structure. The beautiful energies from both Priesthood and Priestesshood power have the potential to meld seamlessly in compassionate servant leadership.
After all, Christ was the master example of using both masculine and feminine energies to bring healing to humankind. Christ never wavered in spiritual strength and conviction. He spoke to the masses and taught with conviction, yet tenderly blessed the marginalized and afflicted. He nurtured children and wittily rebuked Pharisees. He embodied the fullness of both the masculine and feminine divine. He truly had the externally bestowed power of the Father and the internally inherent power of the Mother, and he used both equally! If we are to follow Christ, we must find a way to embrace a balance of both of our Heavenly Parents’ characteristics and lead Christ’s church as he did, with a more full-gendered, godly approach.