Something Troubling in Sunday School

[_consiglieri]

What is the scriptural basis for the ecclesiastical priesthood being conferred upon women?

Wasn't Junia an apostle?

[_EAllusion]

Since other religions that offer women the opportunity to have ecclesiastical authority have women taking positions of ecclesiastical authority, I'm guessing there are plenty.

Change the year to 1811 and that post could've been written about women's suffrage with no significant alterations beyond swapping in the phrase "the responsibility of the vote".

[_bcspace]

What is the scriptural basis for the ecclesiastical priesthood being conferred upon women?

Wasn't Junia an apostle?

Kinsmen?

[_just me]

What is the scriptural basis for the ecclesiastical priesthood being conferred upon women?

Wasn't Junia an apostle?

Yes. There are a couple other women mentioned in the New Testament. One was a deaconess. Mary was an apostle, a special witness of the resurrection of Jesus.

There is also the fact that Emma was ordained.

D&C 25:7 And thou shalt be ordained under his hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit.

Sounds very similar to the duties of a Teacher. And we know she was ordained to the office of President of the Relief Society.
Joseph Smith told the women he would make a kingdom of priests out of them.

[_Buffalo]

What is the scriptural basis for the ban on priesthood for women?

What is the scriptural basis for the ecclesiastical priesthood being conferred upon women?

There are several female apostles in the New Testament.

[_consiglieri]

There is also a very real danger in saying anything that could be construed as actually wanting the priesthood. You very well may be labeled a feminist and looked at as a bit off. It will effect your place in the ward and LDS community. It will effect the way you are treated and the callings that you receive.

Thanks for the incredibly insightful post, Just Me.

(And also to Analytics for the apropos Aesop's fable. Spot on!)

I know that in the last few decades it has also become popular in LDS circles to laud Eve over Adam in the Garden of Eden--to say that Eve was the wiser of the two because she did what needed to be done, and even going so far as to say that Eve realized that it needed to be done and why it needed to be done before she did it.

I am not saying this reading is incorrect, but I think we can all agree it is definitely reading elements into the story in order to elevate Eve's position from what a straightforward reading would indicate.

I bring this up because I wonder if this is also part of the circumstance you describe, where we find reasons to laud women (even above and beyond what they deserve) in order to justify their not having the priesthood.

I hope I do not offend when I say "above and beyond what they deserve," but I have frequently heard it said by the men in the Church that women don't have the priesthood because they are by nature so much better than men are. I think this is poppycock.

We are all fallen and in need of a Savior.

It is an interesting thought that we pay lip service to the superior moral attributes of women in order to justify their actual subservient position.

And you are right that men (and women) in the Church would not do this unless they realized, at least subconsicously, that the subservient position of women is in some sense not cricket.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_consiglieri]

Joseph Smith told the women he would make a kingdom of priests out of them.

I hope that had nothing to do with the fact he was married to so many of them . . .

[_bcspace]

Yes. There are a couple other women mentioned in the New Testament. One was a deaconess. Mary was an apostle, a special witness of the resurrection of Jesus.

At best, little evidence that this is a common occurance. Too much debate about Junia to be conclusive that the KJV is the proper translation. Etc. Also, "female servant" is not evidence of office.

There is also the fact that Emma was ordained.

But not to any priesthood office.

[_EAllusion]

It is an interesting thought that we pay lip service to the superior moral attributes of women in order to justify their actual subservient position.

See Shades? This thread totally deserved to belong in the Terrestial forum. It had a relevant point, I tells ya.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19734

[_schreech]

What woman would want to expose herself to the possibility of being called as a bishop etc.?

I can name dozens of women that would love to be bishops....my TBM mother (and all her friends) included...Unfortunately, they have convinced themselves that elohim doesn't want them to lead a congregation of like minded believers because they happen to have female parts...Its sad to me that elderly-baby-boomers, like yourself, have adopted such sexist/dated/out-of-touch beliefs in order to justify your need to be Mormon...I guess it makes sense considering your need to emulate the crazy old men that lead the LDS church....