There are many tensions and uprisings within the LDS Church resulting from misunderstandings about women and the priesthood. The contentious atmosphere found within the Church will only disappear as women internalize Church doctrine and diligently seek answers from God.
Through asking God in prayer, seriously studying the scriptures and trusting in the Lord, my understanding of the Plan of Salvation changed entirely. Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Seventy, stated, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior ...”
Christ internalized the importance of men and women’s separate roles. Mary Magdalene, clearly a close associate of Christ’s, was privileged to be the first mortal to see the resurrected Christ. Yet, albeit her obvious devotion, she was not called to act as one of the 12 apostles of the Lord. Rather, Christ called and ordained 12 men to bear the burdens of discipleship. Does this mean that Mary was any lesser of a servant? No. She simply had different, yet equal, responsibilities and roles to fulfill.
Women are not called to be apostles or prophets or to bear the priesthood. We have different gifts and talents to share. It is up to each one of us to truly internalize the doctrine and take questions to the Lord in personal study and prayer.
Candace Richins
Kaysville