When I consider most of the inventions I value - many were invented by a man and often they were invented to ease the burden of a woman. The washing machine, sewing machine, baby formula, menstrual pads, vacuums, and more. The lengths a good man will go to for a woman reminds me of two songs: Chicago: Along comes a woman and Guys and Dolls song from Guys and Dolls. How many songs have women written that are absolutely positively gushing about men?
Have you heard of Arunachalam Muruganantham? A lowly man who came from poverty in India, he married Shanthi. Shortly after marriage he discovered his wife collecting filthy rags and newspapers to use during her menstrual cycle since the sanitary napkins made by multinational corporations were too expensive. Troubled by this - he began designing experimental pads. Initially he made pads out of cotton but they were rejected by his wife and sisters. Eventually they stopped cooperating with him and refused to be the test subjects for his innovations. Eventually he started testing it on himself using a bladder with animal blood. He became the subject of ridicule when the "sanitary pad" was discovered in his village. As menstruation was a BIG taboo subject in India, it ostracized him from his community and family. He was eventually able to go on to devise a low-cost machine that could be operated with minimal training that can grind, de-fibrate, press and sterilize pads before packaging them for sale. Despite offers from several corporate entities to commercialize his venture, he has refused and continues to provide these machines to self-help groups run by women. If you want to watch a short documentary about his invention, click here.
I value men a lot. They are physically stronger than most women and their minds lean towards hard work and helping to improve conditions in society. Although men make up just over half of the workforce, they experience more than 90% of workplace fatalities. I have seen countless men get up day after day, year after year and go to a job they don't absolutely love but they clock in and give it their all in an effort to protect and provide for their families. Men do run a lot of the world, but there are reasons for that which don't frequently entail patriarchal power but a biological male trait that drives them to provide.
I value men a lot. They are physically stronger than most women and their minds lean towards hard work and helping to improve conditions in society. Although men make up just over half of the workforce, they experience more than 90% of workplace fatalities. I have seen countless men get up day after day, year after year and go to a job they don't absolutely love but they clock in and give it their all in an effort to protect and provide for their families. Men do run a lot of the world, but there are reasons for that which don't frequently entail patriarchal power but a biological male trait that drives them to provide.
That isn't to say the above describes all men. I got my bachelors in Psychology and my Masters in Marriage and Family Studies and I taught a unique class at a University for 14 years which was designed to help people who were trying to go back to college after having come out of abusive situations. 90% of the students I taught were women and 10% were men. The women who took my class had heart breaking stories of abuse at the hands of men. Often the abuser was their own father and/or husband. It wrenched my heart to hear some of the atrocities enacted on these women and I prayed over them continually as I taught.
I am also on a scholarship committee which provides funding for single mothers who have come from abusive relationships to be able to go back to school. As part of the process we read their personal stories of the abuse they encountered and it is beyond painful to read what has happened to them. (If you or someone you know is a single mother who has experienced some form of abuse or hardship and is now looking to get some additional education either at a University, College, trade school, etc. please contact me in the comment section below for a scholarship application. I won't publish your comment but send me your email address.)
Why am I telling you how much I value men? Because I want to talk to you about:
Why am I telling you how much I value men? Because I want to talk to you about:
Women and the Priesthood
And, well...if I talk about women and the priesthood many will judge me that I'm some feminist type who wants equality.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
You can't have equality. I don't seek it and I don't want it because men and women are different - and may it ever be so. Have women been, "held back" in some regards? Probably so. Before birth control, women were pregnant for a significant proportion of their adult lives, and they were also looking after the children they had already borne. This occupied a huge amount of their time and did not give them much freedom to do other things. This could have lead to males taking on other roles to the point that it was normal to be in charge of most everything.
My desire?
For men and women to rise to the full measure of our creation.
That is my wish.
That is why I write about this topic today.
My desire?
For men and women to rise to the full measure of our creation.
That is my wish.
That is why I write about this topic today.
We are imbalanced. And I know about being a woman. And I know about priesthood. And if you're a man - don't stop reading. Your support of the women in your life will help them to awake and arise to their divine destiny and your support is of paramount importance.
My son tells me some of the things high school girls say about boys, "worthless," "I don't need a man," "I'm better than you" and it breaks my heart. I think girls ruin what it means to be a woman in one of two ways:
Jonathan Pageau was speaking about this verse in Exodus 1:16-17 (NLT) which says, "When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live." But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too."
Jonathan said,
"The tyrant is empowering women to kill their men. That is what the tyrant is doing. And he's doing it in order to feminize the Hebrews. The reason why they won't do it is because they fear God. They are able to see beyond the power that the Pharaoh is handing them in that moment and if you think that couldn't happen in a people - it's like, look around you. We're seeing it happen before our very eyes."
Jordan Peterson said in response to that, "It's in the best interest of the tyrant to dispense with those figures who might pose a threat to the tyranny and those would be tough men. Cause they are the ones that keep the tyrants at bay."
We as women and mothers have been encouraged to feminize the race of men and now...the tyrants are rising.
I have seen women throughout my life push Jesus into the periphery. Oh, they believe in God - but they don't need a man to save them. Jesus then gets subconsiously turned into a symbol instead of a reality. Become like Christ without Christ. In order to heal from this warped form of womanhood you need to ask the Lord to show you - what does it mean to be a woman? Wrestle it out with Him until He blesses you with the answers.
The church teaches that only men can hold the priesthood. And not surprisingly - women not being allowed to have the priesthood is also a common teaching among LDS groups that have left the church. Church as well as church offshoot leaders will say that they have asked the Lord about women being able to hold the priesthood and the Lord keeps saying 'no'. But is that the Lord speaking? Is that accurate?
One of my favorite speakers and authors, a true Matriarch - Stasi Eldredge said,
“When God creates Eve, he calls her an ezer kenegdo. 'It is not good for the man to be alone, I shall make him [an ezer kenegdo]' (Gen. 2:18 Alter).Hebrew scholar Robert Alter, who has spent years translating the book of Genesis, says that this phrase is 'notoriously difficult to translate.' The various attempts we have in English are "helper" or "companion" or the notorious "help meet."
Why are these translations so incredibly wimpy, boring, flat...disappointing? What is a help meet, anyway? What little girl dances through the house singing "One day I shall be a help meet?" Companion? A dog can be a companion. Helper? Sounds like Hamburger Helper. Alter is getting close when he translates it "sustainer beside him".
The word ezer is used only twenty other places in the entire Old Testament. And in every other instance the person being described is God himself, when you need him to come through for you desperately.”
― Stasi Eldredge, Captivating: Unveiling The Mystery Of A Woman's Soul
1. They either sexualize themselves or
2. Adopt masculine traits.
Both are intended, "to have power over men," I believe. And neither work. If you sexualize yourself, you lose the respect of men who, biologically and evolutionarily, can't help but objectify you. And if you go the route of adopting masculine traits then men won't want you either because why would a heterosexual male want to be with a male-like person?
The problem in the world is that so many women are trying to either sexualize themselves or become like men and thus they lose their identity.
The problem in the world is that so many women are trying to either sexualize themselves or become like men and thus they lose their identity.
Jonathan Pageau was speaking about this verse in Exodus 1:16-17 (NLT) which says, "When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live." But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too."
Jonathan said,
"The tyrant is empowering women to kill their men. That is what the tyrant is doing. And he's doing it in order to feminize the Hebrews. The reason why they won't do it is because they fear God. They are able to see beyond the power that the Pharaoh is handing them in that moment and if you think that couldn't happen in a people - it's like, look around you. We're seeing it happen before our very eyes."
Jordan Peterson said in response to that, "It's in the best interest of the tyrant to dispense with those figures who might pose a threat to the tyranny and those would be tough men. Cause they are the ones that keep the tyrants at bay."
We as women and mothers have been encouraged to feminize the race of men and now...the tyrants are rising.
I have seen women throughout my life push Jesus into the periphery. Oh, they believe in God - but they don't need a man to save them. Jesus then gets subconsiously turned into a symbol instead of a reality. Become like Christ without Christ. In order to heal from this warped form of womanhood you need to ask the Lord to show you - what does it mean to be a woman? Wrestle it out with Him until He blesses you with the answers.
I'm not a feminist and I'm not a 'wear pants to church' type of gal. But, where I do have a dog in the fight is for my sisters who don't fully know what it means to be a Priestess and Matriarch. We rock the cradles too gently and we risk raising feminized men who don't know how to be Patriarchs. For quite a few years now I have watched (via YouTube) many different Christian preachers full of passion for Jesus and salvation. Now when I watch General Conference I can't help but stare in horror at the castrated and feminized male speakers before me. Their soft voices, their gentle admonitions! The devil is as a roaring lion walking about - seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8) - pound the pulpit!! Tell me to pay attention!!
Tangent moment: Can you imagine if General Conference was a bunch of men sitting up on the stands...next to their wives? Can you imagine if their wives spoke along WITH their husbands. And, can you imagine if the women that spoke didn't use that wispy feminine voice but spoke with strength and wisdom and matriarchal power? What could that do for a church? What would that do for a people?
Before we go further, let's make sure we have accurate definitions:
Priesthood is your personal relationship with the other side of the veil ranging from angels to Jesus Christ all the way to The Father.
Before we go further, let's make sure we have accurate definitions:
What is Priesthood?
Priesthood is your personal relationship with the other side of the veil ranging from angels to Jesus Christ all the way to The Father.
Principalities
Powers
Virtues
Dominions
Cherubim
Seraphim
Arch Angels
Thrones
That's it. That's the priesthood: Relationship
What is "authority"?
Authority is whatever the Lord commands you to do.
Now I'll explain. Scratch that. Let Alma (chapter 13) explain:
1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests [it doesn't say priestess because women were to be the priestess in the home - the matriarch. These specific 'priests' have a duty to preach to those outside of their home], after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.
2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption [this verse is hugely important - it just told you that once they obtained the priesthood they taught what manner to look to the Son for redemption. THAT is the priesthood].
3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works [Eternal Lives - faith and good works in past lives]; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good [How could they have chosen good unless they had lived before?], and exercising exceedingly great faith [Can women exercise 'exceedingly great faith' or is that for men only?], are called with a holy calling [is womanhood and motherhood a holy calling? Yea, verily. The Holiest.], yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.
4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith [It was on account of their faith. Not on account of a temple or a leader - their faith], while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds [they wanted something or someone other than God Himself...is that you? I had a close friend who was obsessed with Zion. He wanted Zion more than He wanted Truth. More than he wanted Jesus.], while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren [How come some have seen the Lord and some haven't? What have those that have seen Him sacrificed? Can you expect it to be any different for you?].
5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—
6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained [remember, the "ordaining" came from past faithfulness and good works - that gave them the ordaining] unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men [Did you catch that? The high priesthood of the holy order of God is...to teach his commandments unto the children of men...that is the priesthood. The priesthood is only used to bring a family or a people back from their fallen state into the presence of the Lord] that they also might enter into his rest— [those that truly have the priesthood will labor night and day to bring you into His rest. Not bring you into another temple - into His Rest which is to say - His Presence]
7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—
8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—
9 Thus they become high priests [and priestesses] forever, after the order [or pattern] of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.
10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish; [that is the priesthood - it is a relationship with God which is born of exceeding faith...repentance...and righteousness. It means you seek His will and do his will in all things.]
11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. [For men - they need to be clean from the blood and sins of this generation. Women are already pronounced clean. This is why men and the priesthood are always the focus, they have generational blood to be cleansed from. As a result, women and their relationship with the Lord, their priesthood, is de-emphasized or lost.]
12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God [to enter His presence is 'enter into the rest of the Lord' because now your heart can rest...now you have a priesthood...now you have a relationship].
13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest [that relationship which has the potential to increase forever and ever without end].
14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order [ordinances = order = process] which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood [the calling to preach to mankind to turn their hearts to God] forever.
15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.
16 Now these ordinances [ordinances = order = process] were given after this manner [were given for this purpose:] that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. [There is no end time restoration of this order that you can not obtain for yourself, here and now. You have everything you need via the Aaronic priesthood to begin the process to walk back to the presence of the Father]
17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;
18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith [exercising mighty faith is part of the order], and received the office of the high priesthood [high priesthood = entered into a higher relationship with God] according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent [Why did he have such success? Because Melchizedek's relationship/priesthood was of such a high degree he had great power in the priesthood]; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father [Melchizedek's story is something that can only be answered when one considers the mysteries of eternal lives].
19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.
20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.
21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh; [Alma is exercising his priesthood and offering an ordinance which is to say, Alma is showing the order by which they may begin to return from their fallen state]
22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels [Aaronic priesthood/relationship], doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.
23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard [because you are in possession of this knowledge of the order, you are numbered among those who are "highly favored"].
24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.
25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.
26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.
27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering [grand key of knowledge presented here];
29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest [enter into a higher relationship with the Lord].
30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance [repentance brings you into alignment with God and opens the gate to the path to return to Him], that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death [in the temple we do work for the dead but it is not physical death the Lord is concerned about - it is the spiritual death of His children. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, did they die? Not physically. They died spiritually because they were removed from God's presence. Until you have begun the process and returned to His presence, you experience the second death]
31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.
In the LDS Temple we learn about things pertaining to, "the holy priesthood." Ultimately, the holy priesthood is an extension of our relationship with God, and it is only through that relationship that we have any power or authority.
The Aaronic Priesthood is related to a lower level of relationship with God. Those tied to the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, represent a closer and deeper relationship with God. The Aaronic Priesthood has a lesser association with the veil and experiences only the ministering of Angels, while the Melchizedek Priesthood allows us to pass through the veil and enter back into the presence of the Son and later, The Father. Nothing is withheld from all those who sanctify themselves that their minds become single to God (D&C 88:68).
25 For there is a time appointed for every man [and woman], according as his works shall be.
26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;
28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers [classes of angels], shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
30 And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars
31 All the times of their revolutions, all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times—
32 According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest.
— D&C 121:25-32
Entertaining angels is an integral part of returning to the Father and is tied to the Aaronic priesthood.
Is the Aaronic priesthood tied to, "...passing the angels that stand as sentinels"?
If it is, then are only men able to "pass the angels who stand as sentinels"?
Again, the holy priesthood is a picture of our relationship with the other side of the veil. God is no respecter of persons. Our relationship with Him, which is called the holy priesthood, is not gender-dependent. The ministering of angels does not favor or contradistinguish. It is based on your faith alone, and is freely available to all men and women and children who have strong faith and a firm mind in every form of Godliness.
And we must not forget....Angels that stand as sentinels whom you must pass to return from your fallen estate will reveal that order to men, women, and children who have an eye single to His Glory.
Instead of being an instrument for spiritual empowerment to lead each individual to God, the "priesthood" (think old definition of "the priesthood") has become the chief idol of men and women because it is the object we are asked to give allegiance to, above Christ himself. If a temple, ordinances, the scriptures, "the priesthood", a collective covenant or any other gift from God is given more importance than God or the individual members in whom the Spirit of God dwells, then they are idols which must be torn down, rent like the veil of the temple. The "priesthood", the temple, the church must be taken down stone by stone and rebuilt again on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ and his love which calls to all - whether rich or poor, black or white, young or old, male or female.
Many women are not using their priesthood/higher relationship with God because they don't know they have it. Consequently, many women are failing to develop their own spirituality because they think they need a male priesthood holder to intercede between them and God. The whole church and its offshoots are suffering because the power and spirituality of women are restricted to narrow categories and confined to small groups.
Again, the holy priesthood is a picture of our relationship with the other side of the veil. God is no respecter of persons. Our relationship with Him, which is called the holy priesthood, is not gender-dependent. The ministering of angels does not favor or contradistinguish. It is based on your faith alone, and is freely available to all men and women and children who have strong faith and a firm mind in every form of Godliness.
24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.
25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God [seeking and doing His will in all things], men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.
26 And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name [faith is what saves men...not building temples and offering ceremonies. Ceremonies are only designed to spark humble initiates with FAITH]; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.
27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?
28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him [yea, exceedingly great faith]; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.
29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.
30 For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness [do you believe???].
31 And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, ****that they may bear testimony of him.****
32 And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; ***and after this manner*** bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men.
33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.
34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men [and women]; ***wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.*
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
— Moroni 7:24-38
Joseph Smith
August 27, 1843
History of the Church, (5:554-556) Version:
The Priesthood of God is the degree of relationship we have with Him.
It is available to men.
It is available to women.
It is available to children.
Nothing can be done in His name without permission; otherwise, we are taking His name in vain.
Priesthood categories:
Aaronic = temporal, telestial, ministering of angels does not distinguish between male and female - only righteousness.
Levitical = temporal, telestial, transitional, earthly ordinances
Melchizedek = terrestrial, heavenly ordinances, High Priest and Priestess. Does not distinguish between male and female. Only righteousness.
Patriarchal = Highest priesthood, Celestial, includes Matriarchal, Fullness of glory, Omnipresence, Omniscient, Omnipotent, power of creation in its fullness.
August 27, 1843
History of the Church, (5:554-556) Version:
"Respecting the Melchizedek Priesthood, the sectarians never professed to have it; consequently they never could save any one, and would all be damned together. There was an Episcopal priest who said he had the priesthood of Aaron, but had not the priesthood of Melchizedek and I bear testimony that I never have found the man who claimed the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The power of the Melchizedek priesthood is to have the power of “endless lives;” for the everlasting covenant cannot be broken.
The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out judgments and destructions.
The sectarian world are going to hell by hundreds, by thousands and by millions.
There are three grand orders of priesthood referred to here. 1st. The King of Shiloam. had power and authority over that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless life. Angels desire to look into it, but they have set up too many stakes. God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law from Moses. [Melchizedek Priesthood.]
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law. [Because they set up a prophet between them and God, they did not receive the higher priesthood, which is to say - a higher relationship with God. Have you set up a leader or servant to whom you look to tell you what God wants done?]
What was the power of Melchizedek? ‘Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.
Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a priesthood. [Now I have a relationship with God!!!]
Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. [The return of the Melchizedek priesthood.] The law [How to acquire this priesthood/relationship] revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation. [But, was received by individuals at times, such as prophets.]
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.
“Without father [patriarchal priesthood], without mother [matriarchal priesthood], without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually.” The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right from the eternal God, and not by descent from father and mother; and that priesthood is as eternal as God Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. [See Alma 13]
The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal [and Matriarchal] authority. Go to and finish the temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood [how to have this relationship with God].
The 3rd is what is called the Levitical Priesthood, consisting of priests to administer in outward ordinance, made without an oath; but the Priesthood of Melchizedek is by an oath and covenant.
The Holy Ghost is God’s messenger to administer in all those priesthoods. [All communication from God to us comes via his Spirit.]
Jesus Christ is the heir of this Kingdom–the only begotten of the Father according to the flesh, and holds the keys over all this world.
Men have to suffer that they may come upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the heavens. [The mystery of condescension.]
I know a man that has been caught up to the third heavens, and can say, with Paul, that we have seen and heard things that are not lawful to utter."
The Priesthood of God is the degree of relationship we have with Him.
It is available to men.
It is available to women.
It is available to children.
Nothing can be done in His name without permission; otherwise, we are taking His name in vain.
Priesthood categories:
Aaronic = temporal, telestial, ministering of angels does not distinguish between male and female - only righteousness.
Levitical = temporal, telestial, transitional, earthly ordinances
Melchizedek = terrestrial, heavenly ordinances, High Priest and Priestess. Does not distinguish between male and female. Only righteousness.
Patriarchal = Highest priesthood, Celestial, includes Matriarchal, Fullness of glory, Omnipresence, Omniscient, Omnipotent, power of creation in its fullness.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (Acts 2:17-18)
As I look at the church and off-shoots that say they have prayed and asked the Lord if women could have the priesthood and the Lord keeps telling them 'no' - I scratch my head. When you deny the reality of the woman as your helpmeet - your ezer kenegdo, you keep the ascension that you seek after from coming into fruition. If the woman is sidelined or only partially included, the temple and the need for ordinances must then become the focus as the proverbial womb which will bring about the desired growth to provide the birth of ascension back to God.
Don't forget....Temples are offered as a location to administer ordinances.
The definition of Ordinance is: Order
To erect a temple(s) so you can, "administer ordinances" means that you will do nothing more than:
1. reveal the order of
2. the process to ascend back to God.
That's all.
As men and women we can have faith and believe in miracles RIGHT NOW. Doing so will attract the gaze of heaven and you will be blessed of angels.
Or...
You can keep relegating your salvation to a church, a temple, or a leader who you believe will guide you there...eventually. If you can only do enough of the right things or donate enough money or...or...or.
If you go the first route - passing the angels that stand as sentinels - it will bring with it the flaming sword.
The flaming sword you must pass through means the death of your ego by the piercing of your heart. The piercing of your heart can only come when you have a pure willingness to sacrifice all - withholding nothing from the Lord.
The flaming sword will require the things you love or have worshiped the most. That purification that comes from the piercing flame may ask you to give up a job, worldly possessions, church or people in a movement in order to pass through. Abraham taught us that the Lord will require of us the very thing we think he would never ask of us. I am learning it is best not to say what The Lord would or would not ask you to lay on the altar. The point is - offer it. Let Him reveal to you that which you cling to most tightly.
Many women are not using their priesthood/higher relationship with God because they don't know they have it. Consequently, many women are failing to develop their own spirituality because they think they need a male priesthood holder to intercede between them and God. The whole church and its offshoots are suffering because the power and spirituality of women are restricted to narrow categories and confined to small groups.
Women held the priesthood during Joseph's time but after his martyrdom Brigham Young suspended the Relief Society organization. When the Prophet’s successor reorganized the relief society in 1867, the focus of the organization was temporal rather than spiritual. Joseph’s attitude toward the role of women as queens and priestesses were abandoned. As a result LDS men and women today appear to have abandoned the quest for Elijah’s order of the priesthood with which they might talk with God and they delineate ascension to a temple... "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)
In order for women to take their rightful places as queens and priestesses, the Church, and its offshoots, will need to value spiritual power over temporal power...the unseen over the seen. If women simply ask for equality in speaking and teaching opportunities or equality to the ecclesiastical offices of the priesthood as a means of seizing power in the administrative structure, then we have missed the point of Joseph’s vision and are striving for the wrong objective.
The Priesthood is the power of God, the power of Life (Eve...the Mother of all living), the power of divine love, the power that restores, unites, harmonizes, and balances extremes. The fulness of the priesthood is the power of eternal life, endless life, and endless lives and can only be given by He who is Endless Life. This is the power we are enjoined to seek and it comes by actively seeking the Lord.
The Church and its offshoots will never be organized properly until women are acknowledged as joint holders of the holy priesthood. As was said by Arunachalam Muruganantham:
"The strongest Creator by God in the world: Not the lion. Not the elephant. Not the tiger.....The girl."
