Women and the Priesthood

I write this post at the risk of being considered bigoted or sexist, or some other negative thing.  I also hope not to further the controversy created by this topic.  I wish only to share what I believe and know.

Recently, there has been a "movement" in the Church to have women ordained to the priesthood.  In this post I hope to express and elaborate on the feelings I have towards the women who carry this sentiment.

I begin by stating that I am not opposed to women being ordained to the priesthood.  If President Monson announces in General Conference tomorrow that all worthy women will be ordained to the priesthood, I would still sustain him as a prophet, seer, and revelator.  But I don't think that will happen.

If these "feminists" are honestly waiting for an answer from God, then they would be wise to look at what as already been revealed on the subject.

Sheri Dew
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Consider the following quote by Sister Sheri Dew while serving in the General Relief Society Presidency, delivered in General Conference:

My young sisters, some will try to persuade you that because you are not ordained to the priesthood you have been shortchanged. They are simply wrong, and they do not understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blessings of the priesthood are available to every righteous man and woman. We may all receive the Holy Ghost, obtain personal revelation, and be endowed in the temple, from which we emerge “armed” with power. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness. Most significantly, the fulness of the priesthood contained in the highest ordinances of the house of the Lord can only be received by a man and woman together.  Said President Harold B. Lee: “Pure womanhood plus priesthood means exaltation. But womanhood without priesthood, or priesthood without pure womanhood doesn’t spell exaltation.”1

It appears to me that the Lord does not intend to ever ordain women to the priesthood.  That isn't to say that women are not entitled to the blessings of the priesthood.  Being ordained to the priesthood affords me no advantage whatsoever over women.  I would even go so far to say that this is the way the Lord wants his Church to be set up.

Consider this quote from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.2

This is how families are supposed to be.  Notice that all responsibilities are shared between parents and spouses.   I agree with Brother Kelly Ogden, who recently wrote

I would surmise that if any persons in the Church have an issue with women not receiving the priesthood by ordination, then they are not attending the temple. And if they are attending the temple, they do not really understand what they are hearing and experiencing there. 3

I know that it doesn't seem "fair" to some.  But I know that this is what the Lord has given us through His prophets.   I know that this is the Lord's true Church.  I know that the priesthood blessings are available to all who are worthy of them, regardless of gender.  I know that Heavenly Father loves His children, both male and female, and would not be unfair to one in favor of the other.

Now, go and watch General Conference!