Mormon Women
From MormonWikia
In 1935, the Mormon Church's Prophet and his two counselors, in a message to the church, said, “The true spirit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives to woman the highest place of honor in human life” (Messages of the First Presidency, 6:5).
Women who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints belong to Relief Society, the Mormon women’s organization. There is also a Young Women organization for girls between twelve and eighteen. The Mormon Church advocates respect toward women, especially in the roles of wife and mother. Mormons believe that women who have children have the main responsibility for their nurture, while fathers are responsible for providing for the family. This is not to say, of course, that Mormon women cannot have jobs. While only men can hold the priesthood, women receive all of the blessings of the priesthood.
Contents |
[edit] Motherhood
Unlike most of American society, Mormons do not believe that raising children is demeaning or “low” in any way. The nurture and teaching of children are crucial jobs, as these children are also children of God. It is of the utmost importance that these children learn both temporal and spiritual things, and their teaching is first and foremost their parents’ responsibility. In this way, mothers perform duties fully equal to priesthood duties in the church. Mothers who do not work or have any involvement outside of the home and family are equal in respect to their working counterparts. One reason the Church discourages women with children from working is that women shouldn’t be overburdened with too many things to do, and women need to be able to focus on their most important task: raising children. This is also one reason women do not hold the priesthood. Because raising children well is so important, women shouldn’t feel obligated with many other duties.
[edit] Education
The Mormon Church advocates education in women, especially getting at least a bachelor’s degree. In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of Mormon Scripture, in section 130 verses 18-19, it says, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” This applies to women! Mormon women are allowed and encouraged to develop employable skills, even if they marry and have a husband who provides for the family, since there may come times when it is necessary for them to work.
Women without children can and should work in any occupation. Women can succeed in the workplace, but Mormons believe that a woman’s most fulfilling work will take place in the home.
[edit] Priesthood
Many detractors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have said that the women in the Church, or Mormon women, are oppressed. While some Mormon women may feel oppression from other sources, the Mormon Church never seeks to oppress women; Mormons, in fact, believe in complete equality between men and women. One of the main criticisms of the Church is that women cannot hold the priesthood. This is true, however, women have all of the opportunities men do to receive the blessings of the priesthood. The ordinances (rites) of the priesthood that are performed to qualify humankind for salvation are available to women. The priesthood is the power of God, but it is a power of work and service, not of control or ego. The power of the priesthood comes with many duties to serve. Women are not asked to do these things for several reasons: For example, God has commanded only men to hold the priesthood. Also, women have other duties that require their full attention. God does call women to many positions within the Church, giving them the power and revelation they need to fulfill their own callings.
[edit] Men and Women Need Each Other
Mormons believe that women and men are created differently. Gender is a crucial and eternal part of identity that allows men and women to complement each other and between the two of them, do the work of God. Women and men are equal, but have differing sets of traits and talents that make them ideal for diverse tasks. Men and women were built also to be together in marriage and to lead families together. It is a basic Mormon Belief that men and women cannot receive the highest exaltation God has in store for us without each other. A lone man cannot receive it, nor can a lone woman. They must be married and united in this common goal to receive it. Men and women need each other for happiness in this life and for exaltation in the next.
