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I wish we weren't so vague about the ways that women use the priesthood. I'm so grateful that more people are acknowledging that women can and do use the priesthood. But I wish we talked about how.
The way we talk about it now doesn't make it distinctive from faith, hope, or charity in any way.
And I'm not mad about that because I think that is God's power.
But the way we talk about how men use the priesthood is secondarily related to those qualities. And it's specific.
And I'm not mad about that because I think that is God's power.
But the way we talk about how men use the priesthood is secondarily related to those qualities. And it's specific.
When talking about how women use the priesthood, it turns into a conversation about support & kindness.
When talking about how men use the priesthood, it's a conversation about authority & leadership.
Why isn't faith, hope, and charity powerful? Why don't we lead with that?
When talking about how men use the priesthood, it's a conversation about authority & leadership.
Why isn't faith, hope, and charity powerful? Why don't we lead with that?
I think this situation is similar to how women are told to stop asking clarifying questions like "does that make sense?" when for the most part the actual problem is that men don't ask those questions.
Being collaborative shouldn't be viewed as a lack of confidence.
Being collaborative shouldn't be viewed as a lack of confidence.
When we talk about men and the priesthood, it is framed in terms of exclusivity. It's about worthiness. It's about being prepared to do things and give gifts that other people can't.
Does exclusivity really make things more sacred?
Why salvation is available for all?
Does exclusivity really make things more sacred?
Why salvation is available for all?
The framing of exclusivity and importance has often made me feel less important because all the ways that women use the priesthood feel like things that anyone can do.
Handing out towels is one of the most dramatic examples of this.
Handing out towels is one of the most dramatic examples of this.
Kindness isn't less valuable because everyone can do it. In fact, it's beautiful that it's something that anyone can choose to share.
I still believe that all people have individual gifts, but I don't think exclusivity or uniqueness is a great measure of the value of a gift. I think God weighs power differently.
