Joseph Smith on Mormon Women and the Priesthood

July 10, 2014 by Fiona Givens

Continued from Page 1

The historical record thus suggests that Joseph and Emma's original vision might not entail the ordination of women into the male organization. It would entail restoring the Female Relief Society to its original autonomous status, and restoring to women their role as full collaborators with their male counterparts in the administration of the church. Some moves in this direction are under way (such as the changed role and ages of female missionaries, the enhanced role of women in church councils, the combined general meeting of the Female Relief Society together with her auxiliaries—the Young Women and Primary, etc.). To the impatient, these steps may seem miniscule. But they are steps in the direction of recognizing and expanding the prerogatives of an effectual priestesshood that may have been implicit in Joseph's founding vision.

Page: 2 of 2

7/10/2014 4:00:00 AM

2014 Religious Trends

Mormon Women Seek Equality

Mormon

Public Square

Equality

Feminism

gender

History

Leadership

Ritual

Women

Mormonism

more at patheos

Revive a hymn: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

Adrian Warnock

Whose Vision of Human Flourishing Reflects The Common Good?

Dennis Knapp

A report from the floor at FAIR 2026 (Wednesday evening)

Dan Peterson

A Bum with No Connections

Edwin Woodruff Tait

About

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos