Differences Between the Relief Society and the Priesthood

[_Yoda]

As for presiding over Relief Society functions, a priesthood authority does not need to be in attendance for Relief Society functions. The Relief Society will sometimes invite a bishop or stake president to a function, where he presides by virtue of the fact that he presides at *any* meeting he attends. But a priesthood holder is not required.

Presiding and being in attendance are not the same thing. The Relief Society, as an auxiliary organization is subordinate to the Priesthood organization, as are ALL organizations in the LDS Church. That is a different vision from what Joseph Smith established with the original Relief Society. The original Relief Society was equal to the Priesthood in power. This is not the case in current Church organization, and has not been since Brigham Young.

Sure, but this is different than your original case. If you want to hold the priesthood, the CoC allows women to hold the priesthood, and they are Mormon, so why not go and find a congregation that will have you? I'm sure you'd make a fine bishop.

You know...that's easy to say, much harder to actually do. Sue me for not wanting to cause that kind of strife in my family or my marriage.

[_zeezrom]

Baby steps?

They could start by ordaining women to baptize/confirm for the dead. In particular, these ordained women could do this for YW and Relief Society sisters.

Just a thought.

[_Yoda]

Baby steps?

They could start by ordaining women to baptize/confirm for the dead. In particular, these ordained women could do this for YW and Relief Society sisters.

Just a thought.

Good thought.

Actually, I think that the first "baby step" will probably be women assisting in administering blessings to the sick.

[_zeezrom]

Actually, I think that the first "baby step" will probably be women assisting in administering blessings to the sick.

I'm sure you wouldn't be disciplined for administering priesthood blessings to your own children.

All you need to do is get your hubby to ordain you then you are all set!

You can always tell the bishop that it's your hubby's fault for ordaining you. Once ordination happens, the damage is done. No going back once you have the priesthood. The only way you can strip yourself of the priesthood is to resign from the church (I guess).

If you do it, please tell me because I would literally jump for joy as this being the greatest Mormon event of the 21st century. Truly, this would be a giant step in Mormon women's suffrage.

[_Madison54]

Madison, do you have a link to George's writings in this regard?

Here is one of the discussions about this by George Miller (scroll down to near the bottom of the 1st page where he gives the Oliver Olney quote):

http://forum.newordermormon.org/viewtopic.php?t=23235

George is discussing this topic with Runtu and here's a question with George's response:

Runtu wrote: "George, that Olney quote sounds like the Relief Society was a quasi-Masonic organization. Were they doing Masonic rituals in the early Relief Society meetings?"

George responds: "Joseph had plans to organize the Relief Society into a Masonic appendant body for woman. When Emma took over she took it her way and Joseph lost control. In the end Joseph couldn't force the Relief Society back into the tracks he wanted and instead a fully Masonic women's organization was setup. That is what Olney is talking about. I could discuss that a little more if you are interested."

George also discusses this in his podcast on Mormon Expressions. Here's something he posted on this:

"In my Mormon Expression's podcast I very briefly discussed the Masonic-Relief Society connection, and I posted a much more robust discussion on another thread here at NOM. In that thread I discuss how in the Burned Over District of New York there was a series of three Masonic degrees designed especially for women which were popular in the years leading up to the Morgan Affair. I also provided evidence that these degrees were indeed being practiced in Nauvoo during Joseph Smith's lifetime. I also showed that these degrees included sacred washing and anointings, and that in the process of the degrees that a woman was crowned making her a queen."

[_Drifting]

Priesthood are eligible for paid positions within the hierarchy of the religious trading arm of the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Relief Society are not.

Priesthood can authorise their own programmes.
Relief Society need to seek permission.

Relief Society ask for permission.
Priesthood ask for forgiveness.

[_lulu]

Baby steps?

They could start by ordaining women to baptize/confirm for the dead. In particular, these ordained women could do this for YW and Relief Society sisters.

Just a thought.

They could start by ordaining women to expound scripture and exhort the church.
D&C 25:12
http://www.LDS.org/scriptures/dc-testam ... 2?lang=eng