WOMEN AND THE PRIESTHOOD
by Richard Ware
Important ideas relating to this concept:
1. Women do not hold priesthood of any kind within the framework of the Church. They do hold priesthood authority, however, within the organization of the family which is given to them through the temple endowments and marriage sealing.
2. Both men and women are clothed in the robes of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods and can officiate in the ordinances of those Priesthoods. In temple marriage, both the husband and wife "enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]" (D&C 131:2). This is the patriarchal priesthood and operates within the patriarchal order. Then, through the ordinance of second anointings, they both receive the fulness of the priesthood.
3. The patriarchal priesthood only operates within the confines of the family kingdom. That priesthood is non-functional within the church. The church is here to build up and perfect the family order. It is within the confines of the temple that the ancient family order of Adam and Eve are restored again to the earth. This same order was lived by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This family order is given again to all the faithful through the endowments of the temple. Ultimately, husbands and wives will receive the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and function within their kingdoms through that priesthood.
4. The gifts of the spirit (and in this case, the ability to heal and be healed) are available to all members of the church regardless of gender. They are not dependent upon the priesthood for them to operate.
5. Within the church framework, the elders should be called upon to administer to the sick and afflicted as they are called upon by any family. Elders can do this outside their own homes because they hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and can operate cross family lines as requested.
6. Within the family organization and the patriarchal order however, the husband may administer to his own family by virtue of the priesthood which he holds, and his wife may assist him with her faith, but not by any authority she holds, unless she has a fulness of the priesthood. With a fulness of the priesthood she is a queen and priestess and may administer by virtue of the priesthood within the patriarchal order which she received. But she can function only under the direction of her husband who holds the keys of the priesthood within the family kingdom.
7. We do not understand all the ordinances which can be performed within a Zion family. However, we do know that upon receiving the patriarchal order through temple marriage, couples are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, and through that special ordinance of procreation, they are able to bring forth the blessings associated with it: children. All ordinances have blessings associated with them.
8. Women may "administer by the authority given to their husbands inasmuch as they were one with their husbands." (12) Being one means the husband and wife have been sealed up to eternal life." (53) "When a woman is sealed to a man holding the priesthood, she becomes one with him. . . .The glory and power and dominion that he will exercise when he has the fulness of the priesthood and becomes a 'king and a priest unto God,' she will share with him." (42)
9. Bathsheba W. Smith indicated that Joseph taught them that the women "could administer to the sick and he wanted to make us, as the women were in Paul's day, 'A kingdom of priestesses.'" (33) John Taylor explained that the role of a priestess and priest is to administer the ordinances of the gospel, and the role of a king and queen is to rule and govern. (54) Healing the sick is an ordinance of the gospel, thus the women would function as priestesses to do this.
10. When the husband is not at home the wife presides, not the oldest child holding the priesthood. This is so because she holds the patriarchal priesthood within her kingdom and holds the right to preside in the absence of her husband, whereas the child, although a member of that kingdom, does not have any right to preside within it. That right to preside comes through temple marriage wherein a husband and wife are organized into a divine patriarchal kingdom. He is king and she is queen of the kingdom. The children are subjects. And although brethren holding the priesthood come to visit a home, the husband and wife still preside, for they hold the supreme authority within their family kingdom.
11. Having been endowed the participants are prepared to enter the true order of prayer and be presented at the veil.
12. When the laws, commandments and covenants of a Zion society return to this people, the women will, no doubt, operate for the blessing and comfort of other women by virtue of the fulness of the priesthood which they will hold, having received such authority through being sealed to their husband.
WOMEN AND THE PRIESTHOOD
1. Minutes of the Proceedings of the Sixth Meeting of the [Relief] Society April 28, 1842 Typescript of original.
Lodge Room, April 28, 1842 * * *
[p. 24] Healing Sick (Sisters May Officiate): He [Joseph Smith Jr.] said the reason of these remarks being made was that some little things were circulating in the society, that some persons were not going right in laying hands on the sick, etc. Said if he had common sympathies, would rejoice that the sick could be healed, that the time had not been before, that these things could be in their proper order -- that the Church is not now organized in its proper order, and cannot be until the Temple is completed. Pres. Smith continued the subject by reverting to the commission given to the ancient Apostles, "Go ye into all the world", etc. No matter who believeth these signs such as healing the sick, casting out devils, etc., should follow all that believe whether male or female. He asked the society if they could not see by this sweeping stroke that wherein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority [p 25] which is conferred on them, and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on. * * *
Laying on of Hands by Women: Respecting the females laying on hands, he further remarked, there could be no devil in it, if God gave his sanction by healing, that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water. It is no sin for anybody to do it that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by the administration.
He reproved those who were disposed to find fault with the management of concerns, saying that if he undertook to lead the Church he would lead it right, that he calculated to organize the Church in proper order. etc. * * *
[p. 26] He spoke of delivering the keys of the society and of the Church, that according to his prayers God had appointed him elsewhere.
General Instructions and Advice to the Society by the Prophet: He exhorted the sisters always to concentrate their faith and prayers, for, and place confidence in, those whom God has appointed to honor, whom God has placed at the head to lead. That we should arm them with our prayers, that the keys of the kingdom are about to be given to them that they may be able to detect anything false as well as to the Elders.
2. D&C 131:1-4; May 16 & 17, 1843; Revelation given at Ramus, Illinois to Joseph Smith Jr.; See H.C. 5:392-393
1. In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2. And in order to obtain the highest, a man [and woman] must enter into this order of the priesthood (meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage);
3. And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
4. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.
3. A blessing by Patriarch John Smith upon the head of Mary Jane Whitney, daughter of Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney, born at Nauvoo Hancock Co Ill, Jan 17th 1844.
Sister beloved of the Lord, I lay my hands upon thy head, since you have no father, and seal upon thee the blessing of thy father, for thou art a daughter of Jacob, and of the same blood & lineage of thy father, the Eye of the Lord has been upon thee from Everlasting. He designs thee to be a great one in the house of Israel, and inasmuch as thou art young & know not the trials & temptations to which you may be Exposed, I ask my father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, to give you a sound mind, a discerning of Spirits, and a persevering desire to do the will of the Lord.
Thou shalt have the Spirit of Prophecy when thou art Young, the Lord hath given his Angels charge over thee, they will never leave nor forsake thee, they will often Converse with thee, and your heart Shall be made glad thereby, thou Shalt have the Priesthood sealed upon thee for I seal it upon thee now and thou Shalt realize it in due time.
Thou Shalt have a Companion in due time and shall be a mother in Israel, and shall raise up Sons and Daughters which Shall be greater than David and Solomon, thou Shalt have Riches until thou art Satisfied, Shall have faith to do Miracles in the name of the Lord, thy Companion shall be a man that Shall hold the Keys of the Priesthood, shall be mighty in Israel, when he speaks his voice shall be obeyed, no good thing shall be withheld from you for I seal upon you Riches, & honors, Immortality and Eternal Lives, Even so, Amen.
Inasmuch as You will listen to the Counsel of Your Mother, not one word of this blessing shall fail.
4. A patriarchal blessing given by Patriarch John Smith upon the head of Louisa C. Jackson, LDS Historical Dept., 6 February 1844
Thou art of the blood of Abraham thru the Loins of Manasseh & a lawful heir to the Priesthood & shall possess it in common with thy companion and inasmuch as thou art faithful in the covenant thou shalt have power to heal the sick in their houses.
5. Lewis Taft Papers, CHO/Ms/dq/63; 6 April 1845; Discourse by Brigham Young
(p.5). . . .If we improve upon the small things that are given into our charge, still greater things will be given unto us. "God created man in His own image, male and female created He them." Adam the father of our race represented the male portion of his offspring, and Eve, the mother of all living, represented the female portion, and the works of redemption is a work in which both man and woman are engaged through the gospel. When man & woman are joined together for time and all eternity by the sealing power of the everlasting priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God, they twain become one flesh in their offspring, and are mutually interested and engaged, if they are faithful, in their own redemption and the redemption of their progenitors who died without the knowledge of the gospel, and of their offspring after them, the woman being an helpmate to the man, and sharing with her husband in the honors powers blessings of the priesthood which he possesses.
6. Times & Seasons Vol 6:920; June 1, 1845; Elder Orson Pratt; Remarks made at the funeral of Mrs. Caroline Smith, 24 May 1845
He [Christ] looked upon them [in the spirit world] and saw that they were his lawful, legitimate brothers and sisters in the spirit, that they all descended from the same Father, and he possessed the natural feeling of anxiety to redeem his kindred from their situation. The Father commissioned him to preach the gospel to them and show them the plan by which they could be brought up in the resurrection and prepare themselves for higher glories. This is the way that he spent the time, and this is the way that every person who holds the priesthood will spend the time that intervenes between his death and his resurrection. The spirits of men are not all that will be employed in this delightful task; but you too, my sisters, will take a part therein, for you will hold a portion of the priesthood with your husbands, and you will thus do a work, as well as they, that will augment that glory which you will enjoy after your resurrection.
7. A patriarchal blessing given by Patriarch John Smith upon the head of Mehitable Duty; 27 December 1845; CHO; Typed without sic.
The Priesthood in its fullness shall be confered upon thee in due time thou shalt have powr ovr thy relatives & friends & thy husband & children to lead them wethersoever thou wilt in as much as you seek faithfully & truly to preserve them in the bonds of the new & everlasting covenant.
8. A Patriarchal blessing upon the head of Emily Jacob by Patriarch John Smith, 26 January 1846; Located in "The Record of Norton Jacob", p 16; Church Archives.
. . .I place my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and seal upon thee the Priesthood with all the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, which was sealed upon the children of Joseph, for this [is] thy lineage, the same as thy companion. Thou has a right to all the blessings which are sealed upon his head, for a woman can have but little power in the Priesthood without a man. . .
9. Diary of Patty Bartlett Sessions (1795-1892); Holograph in CHO; March - June 1847; [Women's Voices, pp. 189-197, 1982 ed.]; Typed without use of sic.
Wednesday 17 [March] She [Mary Pearce] was buried. I went to the funeral. Brigham [Young] preached. I then visited the sick. Mr Sessions and I went and laid hands on the widow Holmans step daughter. She was healed. I was sent for to go to a private meeting with Brighams family. Did not go. Mr Sessions wished me to go another way. I went.
Thursday April lst Put Sarah wife P P Pratt to bed. Visited with sister Knight at Sister Buels. Mr Sessions and I then visited the sick and anointed and laid hands and [said] a blessing.
Thursday 29 Visited Sary Ann and sister Whitney. Sylvia had a chill at sister Buels as we visited her in the forenoon. We prayed and laid hands on her. She was better.
Sattyrday 29 [May]. Went to a meeting to Eliza Beamans with many of the sisters. Sisters Young and Whitney laid their hands upon my head and predicted many things that I should be blesed with that I should live to stand in a temple yet to be built and Joseph [Smith] would be there. I should see him and there I should officiate for my labours should then be done in order and they should be great and I should be blessed and by many and there I should bless man and many should be brought unto me saying your hands were the first that handled me bless me and after I had blesed them their mothers would rise up and bless me for they would be brought to me by Joseph himself for he loved little children and he would bring my litle ones to me and my heart was filled with joy and rejoicing.
Tuesday June 1 We had a feast in the afternoon at sister Millers. There we blessed and got blessed. I blesed sister Christeen by laying my hands upon her head and the Lord spoke through me to her great and marvelous things. At the close I thought I must ask a blessing at sister Kimbals hand but it came to me that I must first bless her and show Herbers girls the Order that duty caled them to perform to get many blessings from her upon them. I obeyed. Layed my hands upon her head although it was a great cross and the power of God came upon me. I spoke great and marvelous things to her. She was filled to the overflowing. She arose and blesed the Lord and caled down a blessing on us and all that pertained to her. Sister Hess fell on her knees and claimed a blessing at my hands. I then blessed her. Sister Chase claimed a blessing of Sister Kimbal. She blessed her with me. She spoke great things to her. The power of God was poured out upon us. E R Snow was there and with many others. Thank the Lord.
10. A patriarchal blessing on the head of Caroline Frances, daughter of James and Phebe Angell, by Patriarch John Smith; Joseph Holbrook Journal; BYU Special Collections; 1850; Typed without use of sic.
Thou art a daughter of Abraham, through the loins of Joseph. Thou hast a right to the priesthood by and inheritance of thy fathers. * * * In as much as thou hast seen trouble and thy heart hath been weighted down with sorrow, thou shalt hold the keys of all the mysteries in company with a man whom the Lord hath or will appoint to guide thee in the ways of salvation. And in as much as thy present companion hath left the church, if he does not repent his blessing shall be given to another who shall enjoy the fruits thereof in peace.