Continuing from Sheri Dew’s book ‘Amazed by Grace’ (from yesterdays post):
Though women are not ordained to offices in the priesthood, in the temple they are endowed
with priesthood power and with knowledge of how to use that power.42
“There are those who wonder why women are not eligible for priesthood ordination. But the better question is: why is it not necessary for women to be ordained? The impact of this question is perhaps better illustrated when considering the requirements for entering the temple. Both men and women must meet certain worthiness requirements to enter the house of the Lord. These requirements are exactly the same—with one exception. When a woman meets those requirements, she is authorized by priesthood leaders who have keys to attend the temple. But meeting worthiness requirements is not enough for a male; a man must be ordained. A woman needs no priesthood ordination to receive the blessings of the temple—this despite the fact that all ordinances in the temple are priesthood ordinances, that all who enter the temple officiate in priesthood ordinances, that all who are endowed in the temple wear the garment of the holy priesthood, and that all who participate in the endowment don other pieces of sacred clothing, including the robes of the holy priesthood. So again, why is a woman not required to be ordained to participate in the highest ordinances of the priesthood in the very same way men participate inside the temple, the holiest place on earth? We don’t have an answer for that question either, but surely this isn’t just an oversight on the part of the Lord.
In short, when all is said and done, neither women nor men ever lack for divine authority.
Further, God’s highest ordinances are available only to a man and woman together. In this single doctrine provision, God indicates His profound respect for distinctive but vitally interconnected roles of both men and women. Said Elder David A. Bednar: “The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females was needed to enact the plan of happiness. . . .The man and the woman are intended to learn from, strengthen, bless and complete each other.”43 This reality is demonstrated no where more compellingly than in the temple, where the highest priesthood ordinances available on the earth are available only to a man and a woman together.* Neither men nor women have an edge when it comes to qualifying for exaltation.
And finally, women have claim to all blessings that emanate from the priesthood. Again from Elder McConkie: “Where spiritual things are concerned, as pertaining to all the gifts of the Spirit, with reference to the receiving of revelation, the gaining of testimonies, and the seeing of visions, in all matters that pertain to godliness and holiness . . . in all these things men and women stand in a position of absolute equality before the Lord.”44
We may not presently have the answers to all questions. But we do know, as Nephi told his son Jacob, that “all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. 45
Most important, we live in the dispensation of the fullness of times, when no spiritual blessings are being withheld from the earth. 46 No men or women living anytime, anywhere have had greater access to divine power than we do. If we seek for a lifetime we won’t plumb the depth of power and breadth of spiritual privileges the Lord has given us. Through His grace, He has made His highest, holiest spiritual privileges available to both men and women. That is our doctrine. That is the truth. ~Sheri Dew, Amazed by Grace Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2015) 31-39
* For those who have not, will not, be able to marry ‘in the covenant’ in this life we are assured that the opportunity will be provided in the hereafter. . . .And any anomalies that prevented compatible marriage here will be considered. In other words the plan is ‘complete’ leaving nothing out. k
