Women and Priesthood- Perspective

Part 2:

President Marion G. Romney, “It is an easy thing to believe in the dead prophets.” And then he gives this illustration:

One day when President Grant was living, I sat in my office across the street following a general conference. A man came over to see me, an elderly man. He was very upset about what had been said in this conference by some of the Brethren, including myself. I could tell from his speech that he came from a foreign land. After I had quieted him enough so he would listen, I said, “Why did you come to America?” “I am here because a prophet of God told me to come.” “Who was the prophet;” I continued. “Wilford Woodruff.” “Do you believe Wilford Woodruff was a prophet of God?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe that President Joseph F. Smith was a prophet of God?” “Yes, sir.”

Then came the sixty-four dollar question. “Do you believe that Heber J. Grant is a prophet of God?” His answer, “I think he ought to keep his mouth shut about old age assistance.”

Now I tell you that a man in his position is on the way to apostasy. He is forfeiting his chances for eternal life. So is everyone who cannot follow the living Prophet of God.” [In Conference Report, April 1953, p. 125]

Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the first presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

President Harold B. Lee relates this incident from Church history:

The story is told in the early days of the Church—particularly, I think, at Kirtland—where some of the leading brethren in the presiding councils of the Church met secretly and tried to scheme as to how they could get rid of the Prophet Joseph’s leadership. They made the mistake of inviting Brigham Young to one of these secret meetings. He rebuked them, after he had heard the purpose of their meeting. This is part of what he said: “You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God and sink yourselves to hell.”[In Conference Report, April 1963, p. 81]

In a general conference of the Church President N. Eldon Tanner stated:

The Prophet spoke out clearly on Friday morning, telling us what our responsibilities are. . . .

A man said to me after that, “You know, there are people in our state who believe in following the Prophet in everything they think is right, but when it is something they think isn’t right, and it doesn’t appeal to them, then that’s different.” He said, “Then they become their own prophet. They decide what the Lord wants and what the Lord doesn’t want.”

I thought how true, and how serious when we begin to choose which of the covenants, which of the commandments we will keep and follow. When we decide that there are some of them that we will not keep or follow, we are taking the law of the Lord into our own hands and become our own prophets, and believe me, we will be led astray, because we are false prophets to ourselves when we do not follow the Prophet of God. No, we should never discriminate between these commandments, as to those we should and should not keep. [In Conference Report, October 1966, p. 98; emphasis added]

“Look to the Presidency and receive instruction,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938], p. 161). But Almon Babbitt didn’t, and in the Doctrine and Covenants section 124, verse 84, the Lord states: “And with my servant Almon Babbitt, there are many things with which I am not pleased; behold, he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church.” (http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=88)

The actions of Ordain Women and those of Ms. Kelly were and continue to be contrary to the teachings of the Prophets and leaders these women profess to sustain.  Ms. Kelly met with her local Church officials, but refused to heed their council and continues to attempt to bend the will of God to her needs and desires, drawing others away from the fold, acting in direct opposition to the Church and the council she received.   Due to her continued actions, and her refusal to meet with Church officials, Disciplinary Councils were convened.  These are to be personal and private.  Ms. Kelly took hers public.  Continuing to go against the direct council she received.  A drastic step was needed as she continued to engage in activities that were blatantly against the teachings and principles of the Church.   Ms. Kelly was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; forfeiting any and all covenants she might have made in the Temple with her husband.  Again, she took her issues public, forcing unnecessary attention on a private and personal matter.

The Church officials released this statement via lds.org:

In God’s plan for the happiness and eternal progression of His children, the blessings of His priesthood are equally available to men and women. Only men are ordained to serve in priesthood offices. All service in the Church has equal merit in the eyes of God. We express profound gratitude for the millions of Latter-day Saint women and men who willingly and effectively serve God and His children. Because of their faith and service, they have discovered that the Church is a place of spiritual nourishment and growth.

We understand that from time to time Church members will have questions about Church doctrine, history, or practice. Members are always free to ask such questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. We feel special concern, however, for members who distance themselves from Church doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow them.

Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy. Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine.

As I mentioned, I have been a member of this church my entire life.  I am a twenty six year old single woman and never once in my life have I felt that I was lacking any of the blessings of the Priesthood.   I have been taught from a very early age that women are a treasure to be valued and cherished.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not devalue women, it teaches men and women alike to value womanhood, to value who women are, the roles they play in the lives they touch and that the world would be a drastically different place if women were not in it.

Everyone within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the opportunity to receive the blessings the Priesthood has to offer, they only must ask; men and women alike.

The Ordain Women movement has reduced an entire group of good, honest members of the church to their gender.  Ms. Kelly, just like everyone else in the world has the gift of free agency.  She has made her choices, now she must live with the consequences of those choices.   The actions of one affect the lives of many.

Jessica graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Political Science. She currently resides in California, and is currently working on her own Political-Thriller novel.