A disclaimer for all of my posts is this: I am not authorized to officially interpret anything. These are just my personal thoughts. Your mileage may vary.

Recently in a Facebook group I belong to, a poignant question was posed — a question asked by a young girl to her mother — about why girls don’t pass the sacrament in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My pondering and study and personal impressions have led me to agree what Sister Cheryl Esplin shared in a General Conference talk on the sacrament, given a couple of years ago.

“Aaronic Priesthood holders represent the Savior when they prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament. As a priesthood holder extends his arm to offer us the sacred emblems, it is as if the Savior Himself were extending His arm of mercy, inviting each one of us to partake of the precious gifts of love made available through His atoning sacrifice—gifts of repentance, forgiveness, comfort, and hope.”

This concept was brought to the forefront of my mind again on Christmas day, as my mom gave each of her grown daughters a print of a painting called “Sacrament Meeting” by Don Christensen. It’s one I had never seen before. The artist’s recorded experience (you can read it here) mirrors a vague memory I have of an experience I had.

But my personal feelings about all of this come mostly from my study of the scriptures and my own experiences with the Spirit.

First of all, the Savior Himself instituted the sacrament with His apostles right before His death. It was, from the beginning, a very personal — and presided-over — ordinance. He held, broke, blessed, and passed the bread Himself. He held, blessed, and passed the cup Himself.

I think this is so important to consider. The Savior first gave this ordinance to His apostles, those who would be charged with continuing the Church after His death. But the ordinance was instituted as a very personal experience. One by one the apostles partook of the emblems of the Savior’s sacrifice and were invited to ponder what it meant.

After His resurrection, when ministering to the Nephites in the Americas, He instituted the sacrament among them. Again, He was presiding over the ordinance.

He first took the bread, brake it, and blessed it. He then gave it to His disciples. He then commanded the disciples to give the broken pieces of bread to the multitude. Before repeating the process with the wine, He taught about how the sacrament was to be administered in the Church, and that it needed to be done with priesthood authority:

“And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name” (3 Nephi 18:5, emphasis added).

He then repeated the process with the wine — blessing it, giving it to the 12 disciples, and then commanding them to distribute it to the multitude.

In 3 Nephi 20, the Savior visits the people again and repeats the pattern of giving the sacrament to His disciples and then commanding them to give the sacrament to the multitude. This repetition of the ordinance — and the pattern of delegated authority with this ordinance — to me is not insignificant.

In Restoration scriptures, we also see the Savior teaching that authority is essential to administering of the sacrament.

“The priest’s duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament…”(Doctrine and Covenants 20:46).

Interestingly, though, the Doctrine and Covenants also talks of deacons and priests not being authorized to administer the sacrament.

“But neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands… (Doctrine and Covenants 20:58).

However, the scriptures also talk about teachers and deacons assisting priests in their duties.

I think it is worthwhile to consider these patterns that appear in the scriptures and how they might relate to how things are done today. To me, what is done today is consistent with scriptural patterns and how I understand priesthood keys and authority and their purpose and functioning.

• When Jesus was present, He did not delegate the breaking of the bread or the blessing of the sacramental emblems. But He knew He would not be present always, so…
• He taught in more than one place and time that the sacrament and its administration is a priesthood ordinance that requires authority.
• He gave the sacrament to His apostles/disciples and then commanded them to give to the multitude. (I think this pattern is reflected in the fact that the presiding authority gets the sacrament first, and also that the sacrament cannot be given without authorization of one who has keys for that ordinance.)
• He did delegate the distribution of the sacrament, but the responsibility was still given to those who had authority to act in His name.
• The authorized administration of the sacrament is part of the commandments given to His apostles (and the 12 disciples in the Americas).
• Delegated authority is an obvious part of that commandment in both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.

One of the things I love about priesthood ordinances is that you can ponder them for a lifetime and not stop get insights about them. To me, the sacrament continues to be an ordinance that teaches me the more I ponder it, both at a doctrinal and a personal level.

To me, the fact that the sacrament is administered by males is not something to be coveted by women and young women, but something to be cherished and pondered. I think priesthood execution can signal something to our minds: Christ is in it all. He’s in the taking, breaking, blessing. He’s in the emblems. He’s in the passing, the giving, the desire for all to partake. To me, priesthood has come to signal to my mind, “This is what Christ would be doing if He were able to be in millions of places at once.”

That we all help pass to each other along the pews is something that some would say is also significant. That has never struck me in the same way that it does others because the authorized element of the ordinance is important and meaningful in my mind, and because we don’t see that pattern reflected in scriptural text. To me, scriptures do present a more ‘vested’ responsibility in the giving of the sacrament to the Church, and I think it’s important to not dismiss the fact that this is a priesthood ordinance through-and-through (from authorization to administration) as a cultural oversight.

And yet, I think there are always layers to truth and surely in the Church we are both receivers of the heavenly gift of the Atonement and the Spirit, and we are also able to help others partake of the blessing of the Atonement.

Either way, though, all of the pondering of the scriptures to me still takes me to one place: that to me the focus of the sacrament should be mostly on the receiving of it and on Who the Giver truly is. The Savior gives Himself to us in it all, and we — each of us, all of us, male and female, old and young — have the opportunity each week and through the collective experiences of a lifetime to learn what it means to receive, to partake, to be nourished, to be filled, to be loved by the Son of God and by His Father.

The post Thoughts about the sacrament and priesthood appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I remember the first time someone in my family received the Priesthood. I was 14 and my younger brother was ordained a Deacon. About the same time two years later, when he became a Teacher, I began to take notice of a unique difference in the “feel” of our home environment. My father was Catholic and my Mother had been inactive for many years until we kids came along. There had definitely been a “void” I didn’t know existed. For years though, the “Priesthood” elicited an entanglement of ideas growing up while attending all the meetings in our LDS world and an occasional Catholic Mass.

While a young bride years later, I remember complacently telling myself, “You’re good”…”temple marriage”, check, “worthy Priesthood holder”, check, Sick? Need a blessing?, check. It was so simple and yet, as I discovered, so much more than that.

There were times in that 20-year marriage that I had wholehearted faith that by one or two men laying their hands on the heads of my children, they would heal. There were other times when hands were laid on my head and I was told I would be able to cope. There were times when I witnessed friends, family, or acquaintances have faith that others would speak words of comfort and consolation by the power of God. I viewed this process somewhat clinically, now that I look back on it. It was all I knew then.

Within marriage, as well as any type of relationship, we associate with imperfect human beings. Those closest to us have the greatest capacity to do us the most harm. The foundation of emotionally intimate as well as physically intimate relationships is trust. When that trust is shattered, there is heartbreak. I suffered, as many others, the worse kind of harm, abuse from one holding the Priesthood. I have learned not to focus so much on the harm perpetrated, but how to process my healing.

Seeking solace from our very Creator through the Priesthood is more than a mere band-aid, it is through my experience, literally life changing. I’m at the seven-year mark of this process and still have much healing to do. In my mind it boils down to understanding that Christ’s Atonement grants us access to an enabling power to survive anything and everything, and trust me, that means anything and everything.

In the last few years my understanding of, belief in, and experience with priesthood blessings has expanded beyond my greatest expectations. I have been a vested partner in these experiences with my sweet husband of six years. He has exhibited patience in discussions about simple and complex gospel topics. He has helped me deepen my sense of worth as a daughter of God by treating me as an equal partner in our relationship. By living worthily to exercise his priesthood power he has exponentially enriched our relationship. The physical and literal miracles I have witnessed by his and other priesthood blessings have caused me to consider placing many more than Joshua’s’ 12 stones at the door of our future home.(see Joshua 4:21-24)

Last week the words spoken through my husband from my Heavenly Father were nothing short of pure intellect and revelation. The Lord answered questions never uttered anywhere but from my heart and provided comfort and direction specifically for me. How glorious an experience! How wonderful an opportunity to revel in light and feel the strength and love from my Father in Heaven!

It would have been so very easy over the years to give up on this power, yet through the very power I might have excused as ineffective, inadequate, or non-existent, I have been empowered to “plow through” all that life has had to deal me; divorce, abuse, betrayal, legal challenges, re-marriage, blending families, unemployment, depression, loneliness, loss of home, bankruptcy, relocation, health issues, estranged children, aging and ill parents, and whatever tomorrow brings!

I believe in the eternal nature and divine experiences that the priesthood may deliver through priesthood blessings! We are truly gifted by utilizing these powers. I don’t think we do it enough.

The post My Heart is Full: A Peace and Empowerment from Priesthood Blessings appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Michelle

It took a few minutes for my subconscious, sleep-seeking self to realize that my body was saying it was time to look at my clock. Time to see what God was going to do today with my Sabbath schedule.

God and I have an interesting deal when my ward meets in the morning hours — an arrangement I am sheepish to share because I don’t like being the exception to the rule. I’d always been a diligent, three-meetings-no-matter-what and no-matter-what-time kind of Mormon church-goer. So when the impression came about two years ago to not set an alarm on Sundays, I was nervous. But I also knew that the stress of trying to decide what the “right” thing to do each Sunday was reaching a breaking point. To try to balance my serious sleep disorder + my chronic-fatiguey-thing, while also trying to be obedient about attending my meetings and partaking of the sacrament, was too difficult for me and my weary body and mind. I needed God to carry this one. And He nudged me to let Him do it.

I am still amazed to say that I only missed the sacrament once that year (and I think that was a day when my body really did need sleep). My testimony of this sacred ordinance increased in unspeakable ways as I could feel how much God cares about me receiving the blessings and power of the ordinance — power that, as the scriptures say, can only be found in ordinances of the gospel.

Nevermind the wonder of seeing God work miracles each week. Last year, our ward had the 1:00 slot, but this year, I’m back to not setting an alarm. Every Sunday really is its own adventure in gratefully witnessing what God does.

For example, a week ago last night, I went to bed so entirely exhausted that I actually suggested to Heavenly Father that perhaps this Sunday, it might be a good Sunday to just let me sleep. But I fell asleep with my heart open to see what Father would do.

I finally rolled out of my sleepy state at 1:05. Even as I was certain I wouldn’t make it to the building in time to take the sacrament, I felt I should still at least try…at least do my part of the deal to get out of bed and to the building. (This is because I’ve experienced too many perfect-timing miracles to not try!) I got ready in a little over five minutes and ran out the door. Driving toward the stake center and a ward I know more personally, I felt impressed to go to the other building, which is a little closer; I knew seconds could matter at this point.

But maybe there was more to the impression than that.

When I arrived at the building, I could tell by the silence that the sacrament was already underway. I asked a brother in the foyer if they had already received the bread. They had. Through the (usually-closed) door to the overflow, I could see a young deacon (12-13 year old young man) standing at the end of a row. I don’t even know if what I did was okay (after all, I had missed the hymn and the prayer, so in the full spirit of the ordinance, I was too late) — but in my yearning to take both the bread and the water, I stepped inside the door and reached out to tap the deacon on the shoulder.

I missed him by only inches.

A dear friend of mine was sitting on the end of his row. As he realized what was happening, he walked briskly behind the deacon (who by this time was up to the front of the chapel). The deacon came back to where I was and held out the tray. A little embarrassed, but so, so grateful, I reached out for that piece of bread, retreated back to the foyer, and wept in gratitude — both for the timing of yet another sacrament miracle, but also for the kindness of my friend and the service of that young deacon.

It seemed not coincidental that a member of our stake presidency ended that sacrament meeting speaking about how the sacrament is one way we can touch the hem of the Savior’s garment. This New Testament story holds special meaning for me for various reasons — not the least of which is that I have dealt with my health issues for over a decade now, and have spent thousands of dollars, countless hours, and a collective torrent of tears on doctor’s visits, surgeries, and medications. Physical healing has yet to take place, and may not take place in this life, but I testify that I have felt the Savior’s healing power through my weekly sacrament miracles.

I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and grateful to those who hold the priesthood (both those carrying and blessing the bread and water and those willing to flag down the boys who do) who enable this sacred moment to take place for me every week.

The post The Sacrament as the Savior’s Hem appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Just this week, I listened again to a General Conference talk that reflects a pattern I’ve seen in many talks. Our leaders believe in the youth. This particular talk — “The Power of the Priesthood in the Boy” — was focused on young men, and that is the focus of this post.

I’m the mom of a teenage boy. I love this young man so much, and am so grateful for leaders who have believed in him through the years. In a culture that often likes to denigrate teenagers, it’s remarkable to have reminders such as Elder Callister’s talk that if we “we have high but loving expectations of them” and trust and train them, our young men (and young women, but again, the focus today is on young men) can grow and rise to great heights in their lives.

I believe the Lord expects that of us as adults to lovingly believe in these youth.

This post on the priesthood (about the ordination of her 12-year-old son) by my friend, Michelle, captures what is in my heart about this topic. I, like her, am so grateful that “In this world where we desperately need good men, honorable husbands and devoted fathers, nothing prepares boys better than the priesthood…. Every Sunday they are taught to love God, be kind to their neighbor, avoid pornography, speak kindly and serve, serve, serve.” In the Church, as part of their priesthood duty, young men help with monthly fast offerings, monthly service visits to the homes of Church members, weekly sacrament service, helping take care of the church building, planning and executing youth activities, and more. But “the most important setting in which an Aaronic Priesthood holder can fulfill this duty is in his own home. He provides priesthood service to his father and mother as they lead the family. He also watches over his brothers and sisters….” (From Sacred Keys of the Aaronic Priesthood.)

Imagine if every young man in the world could grow up knowing that he had something to offer, that people needed his service, that the choices he makes in his youth really do matter, that he is loved and cared for by many people, and (most importantly) that he is loved and known by God and invited to be an instrument in His hands to bring people to Christ. What a different world we would experience! Imagine the impact on society to have young men raised from before their teenaged years to respect and honor women, to live sexually pure lives, to prepare to care for a family, to serve in their church and community. This is what priesthood quorums and service are about.

I am so grateful for the reality of the restored priesthood of God, and that young men from a tender age have the opportunity to taste and witness what it means to be a man of God.

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I’ve added this to my list of resources for Pondering Mormon Women and Priesthood. Sheri Dew obviously has a strong testimony of the value of women in Heavenly Father’s plan, and she shared some of that with a reporter in an interview in Europe. Even speaking practically, without much doctrinal background, she captured some of what the women of the Church do and have done since our early Church history.

She also talks with a doctrinal focus for the women who attended her presentation at this particular Time Out for Women gathering. Her words are reflective of things that Elder Ballard recently said in his BYU Devotional address during Education Week. There are patterns in these teachings that go back decades as well. Note, for example, the quote from Bruce R. McConkie in Sister Dew’s talk. Note the quotes by President Joseph F. Smith, John A. Widtsoe, and James E. Talmage in Elder Ballard’s talk. Similar teachings exist in various other resources listed in the previous post on pondering priesthood.

Following are some of the quotes to which I refer:

Here’s the Bruce R. McConkie quote (Sister Dew quoted part of this, and you can read the whole talk by Elder McConkie here. This address was given at a dedicatory service for the Nauvoo Monument to Women.)

Where spiritual things are concerned, as pertaining to all of the gifts of the Spirit, with reference to the receipt of revelation, the gaining of testimonies, and the seeing of visions, in all matters that pertain to godliness and holiness and which are brought to pass as a result of personal righteousness—in all these things men and women stand in a position of absolute equality before the Lord. He is no respecter of persons nor of sexes, and he blesses those men and those women who seek him and serve him and keep his commandments.

Sister Beck’s talk “An Outpouring of Blessings” captures in even more detail how sons and daughters of God are equally blessed by the priesthood. Her general summaries are very similar to what Sister Dew talks about as well, though.

The blessings of the priesthood, which “are available to men and women alike,”3 are woven in and through and around their lives. Each of them is blessed by sacred ordinances, and each of them can enjoy the blessings of spiritual gifts by virtue of the priesthood….

I am grateful that through the infinite fairness and love of God, all men and women were given equal partnership, gifts, blessings, and potential through priesthood ordinances and spiritual gifts. Because of the priesthood, which is woven in and around and through our lives, every power, every covenant we need to do our life’s work and walk back to our heavenly home has been poured out upon our heads.

As Sister Patricia Holland said in her article about LDS womanhood, truth is found in patterns. There are powerful patterns in teachings about the priesthood. To stop only at analyzing administrative duties stops one short of seeking and understanding more about doctrinal truths related to the partnership of men and women in God’s eternal plan for His children.

The post Another talk about Mormon women and priesthood appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I wasn’t sure what photo to include with this post. I decided on one that includes an ancestor of mine who was incarcerated for practicing polygamy. Polygamy has not been part of our practice for over 100 years, and anyone who practices it now cannot be a member of our church.

Photo credit

Editor’s note: I wrote this post several years ago, when Mormon history issues were being discussed in traditional and social media channels quite a bit. Since the topic has been kicked up again as of late, with a recent New York Times article about people who struggle with facets of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (such as polygamy), I thought I’d repost my thoughts here (with minor edits to make the post more current].

The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a topic on which there is obviously a range of opinions. It’s one I have mulled over for years. Years ago, I decided to turn to the Book of Mormon to see if I could find some insight on this topic. It was a simple search — I just read scriptures that mentioned “history.” I was surprised to find only six occurrences of the word. Interestingly, all of them are found within the first three books. I studied those six verses in addition to other related verses, and discovered what I think is a powerful scriptural model for teaching our history.

Early on in the Book of Mormon, Nephi tells us that what we are reading is not all he has written.

And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people…. (1 Nephi 9:2).

… a more history part are written upon mine other plates (2 Nephi 4:14).

Nephi also lets us know why it is that he had two different records.

AND it came to pass that the Lord commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people. And upon the plates which I made I did engraven the record of my father, and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father; and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them.

And I knew not at the time when I made them that I should be commanded of the Lord to make these plates [the small plates]; wherefore, the record of my father, and the genealogy of his fathers, and the more part of all our proceedings in the wilderness are engraven upon those first plates of which I have spoken; wherefore, the things which transpired before I made these plates are, of a truth, more particularly made mention upon the first plates.

And after I had made these plates by way of commandment, I, Nephi, received a commandment that the ministry and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates; and that the things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord (1 Nephi 19:2-3; see also 1 Nephi 9:3; 2 Nephi 5:29-33).

Jacob said:

[Nephi gave] a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; that I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people which are called the people of Nephi.

For he said that the history of his people should be engraven upon his other plates, and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation (Jacob 1:2-3).

Nephi and Jacob explain more about their focused writing in several other places. Following are some examples, with emphasis added:

And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God. For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world. Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men (1 Nephi 6:6).

And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptureswhich are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard (2 Nephi 4:15-16).

For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen unto them. And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come. Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest…. (Jacob 1:5-7)

…[B]ehold, I proceed according to that which I have spoken; and this I do that the more sacred things may be kept for the knowledge of my people. Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself. (1 Nephi 19:5-6)

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do….
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins (2 Nephi 25:23, 26).

We all know that history is not unimportant to the Lord. We see in scriptures quoted above that He commanded Nephi to make the first set of plates which had more information – more history – including wars and genealogies as well as prophecies. We know we are each encouraged to keep personal histories, and to seek to know information about our ancestors. We are also encouraged to learn “things which have been.” In a very real sense, much of what we discuss at church is dependent on the study of history at some level (Christ’s life, death, and resurrection; the life of ancient prophets; the apostasy; the First Vision…the list could go on).

That said, in reading these scriptures, it appears to me that not all information is of equal value to the Lord. Otherwise, He wouldn’t have given Nephi such specific instructions about limiting the amount of historical information that didn’t have spiritual value in the plates that would be handed down from generation to generation. Scriptures indicate that there are things which “matter…not, for God knoweth all these things.” In a sense, Nephi has shown an effective method for dealing with history. In obedience to the Lord, he focused on the most precious, saving truths, knowing that by so doing he was helping the Lord and His purposes.

It seems to me that, while some may find a more detailed study of Church history interesting, it’s not a necessity. I tend to favor Nephi’s approach, which does not ignore that there is more historical information out there, but does not choose to focus on all aspects of our history. It seems to me that our worship, church classes, and ministering to one another touches only lightly on those things that aren’t of spiritual import. Our main mission as members of the Church is to focus most attention on the Church’s divinely ordained mission to bring souls to Christ and to preach the gospel to all the world.

But note something that Nephi says: “And if my people desire to know the more particular part of the history of my people they must search mine other plates” (2 Nephi 5:33). Even though I find it interesting that we still don’t have his “other plates” (another resource) to search, I think his words could apply to us today. And I think we can find that the Church does provide access to some other resources.

For example, for those who want to know more of the history of the Church than what can be found in Church classes, missionary discussions, or the Gospel Library at lds.org [or Mormon.org — this post was written before Mormon.org had been created], there are various resources that can help one read more about LDS Church history. [This list has been edited slightly from the original to reflect some of the changes that have occurred since this post was written…but I am sure there are more resources out there that I have neglected to mention for want of getting this post up. If you would like to add to this list of resources, leave a comment below and we’ll consider it for publication in this post.]

-The Church has a website on Joseph Smith which includes links to various resources about the prophet.

-Seven volumes of  History of the Church

– The Joseph Smith Papers project

– A BYU Studies page that is part of a frequently asked questions site about the Church.

– The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship (formerly FARMS) and FAIR [and the FAIR Wiki], which, although not Church-sponsored per se, provide access to members’ exploration of various topics in a more extensive way than will be found at church.

– I have also appreciated the fact that our leaders have participated in various interviews [ e.g., the PBS interviews were recent when I wrote this piece]. The Church has a Newsroom that has up-to-date information on topics of interest in the press, including Church history.

I think Nephi’s inspired method of handling history is a good and wise one. I’m intrigued by how many times he repeated his purposes and focus in his writing. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps this was included in his small plates so we might learn a little from his example. We don’t need to know all of the detailed history of Nephi and his people to know that he was a prophet who taught (and teaches us) truth. Likewise, we don’t need to know all the details of our latter-day history to know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s restored church on the earth that has consistently been led by prophets of God, beginning with Joseph Smith and continuing to the present day with President Gordon B. Hinckley. We don’t need to know all the particulars of our history to enjoy the blessings of the sacred teachings and ordinances of the Church and to know of their truth and reality. These teachings and ordinances can enable us to “come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that [we] might enter into his rest” (Jacob 1:7). I don’t fault those who want to know more about history, but I would hope that they would not lose faith in or focus on the plain and precious truths of the gospel that have power to save, heal, and change our hearts and lives.

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There are a few transcripts from 2013 BYU Womens Conference talks that are now available.

If you are a youth leader or parent of a youth, or simply interested in pondering more about priesthood, we particularly encourage the messages from the Relief Society General presidency on the priesthood.

•  Carole M. Stephens Priesthood: “ A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children.”
•  Linda K. Burton Priesthood: “ A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children.”
•  Linda S. Reeves Priesthood: “ A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children.”
•  Carol F. McConkie “If The Savior Stood Beside Me, Would I Wear the Things I Wear?”

The post 2013 BYU Women’s Conference Transcripts Available #byuwc appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

If you are preparing a lesson for the youth, or if you are a parent or grandparent wanting to help your your children or grandchildren understand more about the way the priesthood blesses their lives, this talk by Sister Julie B. Beck is a gem.

She says:

I hope our [children and grandchildren] grow up knowing that they are not and have never been third-party observers of the priesthood. The blessings of the priesthood, which “are available to men and women alike,” are woven in and through and around their lives. Each of them is blessed by sacred ordinances, and each of them can enjoy the blessings of spiritual gifts by virtue of the priesthood.“Priesthood blessings are the great equalizer. Those blessings are the same for men and women, for boys and girls; they are the same for married and single, rich and poor, for the intellectual and the illiterate, for the well-known and the obscure.

“I am grateful that through the infinite fairness and love of God, all men and women were given equal partnership, gifts, blessings, and potential through priesthood ordinances and spiritual gifts. Because of the priesthood, which is woven in and around and through our lives, every power, every covenant we need to do our life’s work and walk back to our heavenly home has been poured out upon our heads.”

The post An Outpouring of Blessings: Teaching about the priesthood appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I have mentioned before that I am a young women adviser (teacher/class & lesson facilitator). I have been anxiously awaiting the month of June for the opportunity to explore the doctrine of the priesthood more with our young women. This doctrine to me is exciting; I believe truth about priesthood to be expansive and inclusive, layered in meaning and ever-applicable to every facet of Mormon life and beyond. I think a lifetime is not enough to ponder what priesthood means, but I love pondering it.

There were so many possible ways to approach this lesson, and these thoughts are more about what I’ve learned, not necessarily what I will “tell” the young women. But what I hope for the young women this week is that they can think beyond the obvious and understandable (but I believe potentially reductive) question of “Why do only young men/men hold the priesthood?” to think about the blessings and power and opportunities and responsibilities that flow into their lives because the priesthood of God has been restored.

(Because our site is also designed to address questions from those not of our faith, I hope some of these thoughts can be helpful for those readers, too. Priesthood in our doctrine truly is more than just a who-does-what in the organization kind of thing. Much more.)

I personally believe that so much of the restoration of priesthood keys and authority is about receiving what God has to give us and then helping others also receive. The work of the restoration is, as I said above, expansive. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to have the authority within the functioning of our Church to fill the earth with a knowledge of Christ and to allow all of God’s children, living and dead, the opportunity to receive the ordinances of salvation. Young women are not bystanders in this work. I like to think about how the different restored keys relate to the work that young women can do, now.

I also think of the woman at the well. What Jesus wanted was for the woman to know and understand that what He had to give her was beyond any solution she could find on this earth. Once she came to know who Christ was, how much He loved and knew her and wanted to give her, she was compelled to testify to others so they, too, could come to Him and drink of His living water.

Even as the work of the Church is so expansive, at a personal level, to me, priesthood keys are what figuratively can open up the well for us each to come to know Jesus Christ and to partake of His goodness and His living water. Filled with His love, we then are filled with the desire to help others come to Him and feel His love and participate in ordinances and the work of salvation that bring us closer to God and each other, and make the Atonement fully effectual in our lives.

Let me say here that we as Mormons don’t believe or claim we are the only ones on the earth doing work for God. I am moved and inspired by so many of different faiths (or no faith at all) doing amazing things to serve others, to relieve suffering, to defend the family, to build faith in God, and more. My faith has been strengthened by so many not of my faith! Still, understanding priesthood keys and authority and why and how they matter can help explain what we believe our unique mission includes.

So thinking of my young women, I have thought about what a young woman can do, now, to drink of Christ’s living water and to share it with others. More specifically, what blessings, opportunities, and responsibilities are hers as part of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, made possible through priesthood keys? These are the kinds of questions I plan to ask the young women. Following are some of my own thoughts about this. In another post, I’ll share more of the things I’ve read that have helped me ponder these questions.

– She can receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation (receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost), as the Savior has taught is necessary for salvation (John 3:5). [A whole lifetime could be spent studying what these ordinances mean and why they are important, but the bottom line is that they are about pointing our souls and minds to Christ and His Atoning sacrifice, and choosing to commit and submit our lives to God. He then promises to keep us clean through the Atonement and to someday receive us into His kingdom.]

– She can receive the sacrament each week, which keeps the promised blessings of baptism and confirmation alive and present in her mind and heart. The continued promise of having the Holy Ghost with her is a gift beyond price.

– She can go to the temple to serve and receive the ordinances of authorized baptism and confirmation on behalf of those who have died and not been able to receive them. Joseph Smith taught much about the importance of baptism for the dead in Doctrine and Covenants 128. (I recently went with my children to the temple for the first time and that scripture came alive to me all the more. This work that the youth do in the temples MATTERS, a lot. God works across generations. This work is about binding generations to each other and to God.)

– She can do family history work to learn more about her family and also to make temple ordinance work possible for her own flesh and blood who have passed on. This service centered on the temple both helps her remember and ponder her own baptism and confirmation, but also can bless her life with more of God’s power and strengthen family ties and a sense of belonging and understanding of herself.

– She can serve by doing indexing work to make it easier for others to do their family history and/or temple work.

– She can study the scriptures every day and be familiar with and loyal to the teachings of modern-day prophets, thus tapping into the power of the authorized channels (prophets) God has used throughout all dispensations of the gospel for revealing gospel truth, particularly truth about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is a way to connect with God, to drink of living water every day.

– She can serve as a missionary, both formally when she turns 19, but also informally now. The Holy Ghost can help her know what to say and how to reach out and teach others in simple ways. Sometimes it’s just about letting people ask questions.

– She can receive her patriarchal blessing, which can help her understand all the more her eternal worth and help her gain insight into her specific, personal mission and blessings for her here on earth and beyond.

– She can serve in callings when called. In our church, youth start serving formally in their teenage years, working directly with adult leaders, including those who have keys. They formally become part of the body of Christ that is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12.

Consider this quote:

e.g., “When a bishop places his hands on the head of a [young women] class president, it is with the full power of the priesthood that he gives her the delegated authority to lead her class. Her calling to serve is no less potent or real than that of the Sunday School president, the Relief Society president, or any other position in the ward.” See Young Women and the Blessings of the Priesthood for more thoughts on this topic. )

– She can be a force for good in her home through the power of covenants and by participating in family councils.

I’m reminded of Sister Beck’s teaching that women (and I think this can extend to young women) have a responsibility and opportunity to

“help your home be a home that is blessed every hour by priesthood power. It isn’t just when Dad is there. It’s not just when Mom is there. It’s not just when a priesthood ordinance or blessing is being performed. It’s every hour as covenants are kept” (emphasis mine).

– She can study, ponder, and champion the doctrine of marriage and the family. [The work of the priesthood is all about . helping individuals and families come to Christ. Eternal life in our doctrine is not just about life with God, but about life within families, with God. This is a key reason why temples are so important to Mormons. The doctrine of eternal families is a key doctrine, part of the living water that has been revealed through the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.]

– She can be a force for good in her community through service and example, by letting the light of the gospel shine out through the way she lives her standards and the way she loves and reaches out to help others.

– She can prepare to receive temple ordinances for herself when she becomes an adult. [More layers of the doctrine of the priesthood are understood in the ordinances of the temple…doctrine to be pondered over a lifetime.] She can prayerfully continue to keep her heart open to what the Spirit can and will teach her about the priesthood and her role as a woman in God’s plan as she continues faithfully seeking insights.

– She can prepare to serve in her future — including preparing for the eternal roles as wife and mother if the opportunity comes (and trusting in God’s promises if those opportunities don’t come in this life); preparing temporally so as to have skills that can enable her to have influence in other ways that she may feel guided to in her life; and ultimately to prepare to be present (either in the flesh or after death) when the Savior comes again.

These are just some of my thoughts, but on Sunday, I look forward to hearing the insights of the young women about how they feel the priesthood has blessed their lives. I believe I love this year’s theme for the youth, because the notion of standing in holy places sums up so beautifully how young men and young women alike can tap into the power and blessings that are available to them through priesthood ordinances and covenants. It’s not just those who hold the priesthood who benefit from the priesthood; the priesthood keys restored in this dispensation benefit us all and are designed to benefit all of God’s children — across all the nations of the earth, and throughout all generations since the beginning of time. As was described in the article above for young women,

“the priesthood to the lifeblood that flows through every part of the body [of Christ — see 1 Cor. 12]. The power and blessings of the priesthood nourish each member and are the source of strength just as blood is to the body. It circulates throughout, that power of God that ‘worketh all in all.'”

And these keys help us prepare the world for the Savior’s Second Coming:

The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.
Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.

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This year’s Women’s Conference provided me with a wealth of material to ponder and integrate into my life. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the classes I attended.

“Lord, who needs me today? Tell me her name.” -Elaine S. Marshall quoting her then Relief Society President – Ann Madsen

I have used this sentence prayer in the days since Women’s Conference and by doing so I have invited the spirit of revelation into my life. Names and faces have been provided and opportunities for service made manifest. I was not surprised when the names provided were my own husband and children, but other names have been provided as well. I’m printing this quote out and taping it onto my bathroom mirror, it’s just that good.

“How many spiritual experiences have we missed because we ran to tell instead of lingering and waiting on the Lord?” – Paraphrasing Camille Fronk Olson.

Eric Huntsman and Camille Fronk Olson co-taught a class on women disciples where they felt that the reason Mary Magdalene was privileged enough to be the first person to see the Lord in His resurrected form is clearly recorded in the gospel of John: she lingered. Since hearing these words I have tried to linger longer when I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence. This Sunday I made a point to find the mothers of children who had born their testimonies in Primary and tell them word for word what their child said. We stood and hugged, with tears stinging as we marveled at the faith of children. If I had hurried home (as I normally do after church) I would have missed these sweet moments with my friends.

“The best ways to preserve traditional marriage and families is to participate in them.” 

This was a summary thought I had after listening to Stacey Edgington and Ann Takasaki’s class entitled Defending, Preserving and Protecting Traditional Marriage. Stacey Edgington taught, “There are absolute truths. It is important to create an environment where eternal truths can be taught. We need to 1. understand the doctrines of God  2. teach them to our children 3. be examples of discipleship by living and teaching truths to our posterity…. How we live will preserve the sanctity of marriage.” When the Women’s Conference transcripts come out, this will be the first talk I re-read. Another great quote they shared in the class was from Spencer W. Kimball, “Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.” I was impressed by the strength and tenderness of these women and the compassion they showed while still standing firm in the defense of traditional marriage. This class stood out from the pack as a must read from Women’s Conference.

“Be brilliant in the basics.” – Julie B. Beck 

Stacey Edgington quoted Julie B. Beck in the Protecting Traditional Marriage class as a method for preserving family life. What are the basics? Personal and family prayer, consistent Family Home Evening and scripture study, tenderness, work, eating meals together. When I got back home from Conference I felt re energized in my commitment to live the basics. In lieu of the large family calendar that used to loom over me in my office daily, I have transferred all of our appointments to my phone and compiled a small checklist that lives in my kitchen.  My Monday through Sunday wipe board is where I tally check marks when I complete “the basics.” This way I can prioritize what is truly important and let work assignments, piano lessons, and book club meetings get the second tier level of importance they deserve.

“Elaine, You cannot live your life in Gethsemane, Jesus was already there. You must find yourself in another garden.” – Elaine S. Marshall quoting her mother

Due to the fall of Adam, all of us will find ourselves confronted by the ugliness of mortality. The longer I live the more I am convinced that this “rock bottom” moment is part of the plan.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I believe that mortality forces us to choose Jesus Christ (or some form of God) or to arrogantly choose a path that ultimately leads to spiritual death. I recently found myself in the Garden of Gethsemane fighting a crippling battle with anxiety. The racing thoughts, panic attacks and my self defeating beliefs took me to a very dark place. A friend felt prompted to send me her testimony of the power of Christ’s atonement and what equated to the first two steps in the 12 step program for addicts and co-dependents as used by our church. Using her prescribed method and humbly recognizing that I was fallen and that Jesus Christ was and is the “way, the truth and the life”out of my hell I began to pray in such a way that light and healing began to pour into my heart and mind. I had found my way into another garden through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

“Charity is the pure love of Christ.” – Moroni 7:47

Kevin J. Worthen turned my life upside down when he shed a new perspective on this well known scripture. I have always thought this verse of scripture as a description of Christ’s love for us. His perfect love is what we aspire to have when interacting with our brothers and sisters here on earth. But in a simple story that Brother Worthen shared about a time when he was annoyed with an ill performing co-worker that turned into a teaching moment, Kevin Worthen found that choosing to love God (that first great commandment) quickly led his heart to loving his brother as himself (the second great commandment.) Brother Worthen taught me that when I struggle to love another, try loving God is a path to charity. With that in mind, let’s read Moroni 7:47 again “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” Doesn’t Kevin Worthen’s take on this scripture make charity so much more achievable? What a lovely thought!

Two other themes that I saw throughout the entire Conference were understanding the doctrines of the Priesthood and feeling joy despite hardship. I recommend the broadcasts and written transcripts to you as edifying and worthwhile material for study and learning. We will be linking to these talks in the near future to make it easy for you to find and enjoy.

Let me just leave you with the scripture theme for the 2013 Women’s Conference at BYU:

Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice: for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end. D&C 100:12

The post Notable Quotables from the 2013 Women’s Conference at BYU appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.