The Priesthood.

[Hala401]

Astonishing events seem to occur almost daily for me since I joined the church. Today, I was talking with another sister about a matter which troubles her deeply. It is the kind of heart break of which I am familiar.

As we talked about her pain and possible solutions, I began to sense a problem in her belief; something completely unexpected to me. In our conversation, I realized that somewhere during my experience with the LDS, I had come to realize that though I'm not exactly liking it a lot, it is clear to me that the Priesthood has a connection with Heavenly Father that I do not.

It doesn't seem to mean that I can not speak to Heavenly Father and he me, he somehow wants me to engage members of the priesthood with respect and dignity. This I had not expected, and even struggled against it at first, but with the same gentleness that Heavenly Father first approached me with, he has now changed my heart toward the Priesthood.

So, it was with no small measure of surprise that I began to realize that my sister was perhaps not at peace with the priesthood for reasons I do not comprehend. She is life long Member, and it confuses me that she would seek my council on the matter that she has. She seemed surprised that I had committed to accepting the priesthood, especially in light of my initial reticence to do so.

So, do many of us struggle with the authority of the priesthood or have II completely misunderstood it?

Though some may be doubters, Heavenly Father used the Holy Spirit to almost compel me to study with the Sisters. Though initially I felt unworthy and expected to be rejected, I was not. After all, who would want a person with my history?

[pam]

Do you think she struggles with the idea that women can't hold the priesthood? What do you think she struggles with about it?

[RipplecutBuddha]

First of all, I know Heavenly Father wants us all, regardless of our history. However we come to him is the best way for each of us so long as we keep getting closer to him.

Secondly, hesitation or reticense towards priesthood holders is hardly new in the church, and there are countless reasons for it. Some of these I'm sure you know from your own life. Because it can be every bit a personal matter, walking another through the same trials you've faces is a process best done carefully and patiently. Keep in mind, Heavenly Father is working on it too, just as he did in your case, so trust him, be there for your dear sister, and stay positive, supportive, and prayerful. A good thing could be walking her through your process of how you came to where you are.

[Hala401]

Originally Posted by pam

Do you think she struggles with the idea that women can't hold the priesthood? What do you think she struggles with about it?

It is inexplicable to me that a life long member of our church could struggle with the same things as I. As wont as some may be to accept me as a member, of the church, they will have to take their quarrel to Heavenly Father.

So, it is with no small measure of confusion that I see her struggle. She has something going in her relationship with her husband that I could see would be a challenge to any woman's faith. So, having so disastrously failed in my own marital relationship, I can at least empathise with her struggles and try to provide encouragement. We suffer similar torment but from two different directions. Perhaps we can bind each other's wounds.

Today, it was obvious to me that Heavenly Father did not utterly reject me for my failures, though I thought so for seven long years. Every single day joy swells my heart because even deep in my failure, He still loved me. People who talk to me seem confused and sometimes even a little amazed at my adoration and faith in Heavenly Father.

It is his will I will follow.

[Hala401]

Originally Posted by RipplecutBuddha

First of all, I know Heavenly Father wants us all, regardless of our history. However we come to him is the best way for each of us so long as we keep getting closer to him.

Secondly, hesitation or reticense towards priesthood holders is hardly new in the church, and there are countless reasons for it. Some of these I'm sure you know from your own life. Because it can be every bit a personal matter, walking another through the same trials you've faces is a process best done carefully and patiently. Keep in mind, Heavenly Father is working on it too, just as he did in your case, so trust him, be there for your dear sister, and stay positive, supportive, and prayerful. A good thing could be walking her through your process of how you came to where you are.

Feminism really started doing severe damage in the 70's, eating away at the very foundation of our culture. I knew a man once who cared for his family with his heart and soul. Who was one of those adult conversions to Jesus Christ. Feminisim in his wife tore at his soul; emasculating him to the point that he once told me that he was waiting to fall from a high ladder or for a panel to explode in his face. He finally did die and while others thought it was an accident, I knew the truth.

For me, surrender to the will of Heavenly Father was gentle and gradual when it finally came and I thank him for it. Inshallah, the healing will take place among us all and we will finally begin to recognize the wisdom of Heavenly Father.

[rameumptom]

I know some sisters that do struggle with the concept of men having priesthood, and they do not.

You will find members that struggle with many of the teachings and concepts of the Church. Some do not like the Word of Wisdom, tithing, etc. Some do not even like the Book of Mormon!

The issue comes, as Hala has experienced, if we are willing to humble ourselves enough before God to learn the lessons He wants us to learn with the current policies, practices, and doctrines of the Church. He wants to see if we will humbly obey (even if we do not always understand), or rebel. As with Adam (Book of Moses), who sacrificed and the angel of the Lord came to him asking, "Adam, why do you offer sacrifice?" And Adam said, "I know not, save the Lord commandeth me."

Another thing, we often do not fully understand things like priesthood. Elder Oaks in a recent general conference noted we do have two types of priesthood: the official priesthood, and then the priesthood of all believers.

The highest form of priesthood is received in the temple, when a man and woman are sealed for eternity. With that sealing, the two enter jointly into the Patriarchal Priesthood. While it does not give women the authority to baptize and bless the sacrament, it does give them the power and authority to become queens and priestesses in the heavens. That is an awesome amount of power God gives to each of us. It is a shame some choose to be angry because of what they do not have, instead of grateful for what they do have. We do not have to understand why women do not have the "regular" priesthood now. Perhaps someday the Lord will see fit to bless them with it. I truly hope so. But until that day, we need to learn, as Hala, the importance of submission to God (a key principle in Islam, as well).

[Vort]

Originally Posted by rameumptom

Elder Oaks in a recent general conference noted we do have two types of priesthood: the official priesthood, and then the priesthood of all believers.

Elder Oaks did not say this, not at all. He said we have two lines of communication, a Priesthood line and a personal line, and that both are necessary.

EDIT: You are perhaps referring to the part of Elder Oaks' address where he stated:

On this personal line of communication with the Lord, our belief and practice is similar to that of those Christians who insist that human mediators between God and man are unnecessary because all have direct access to God under the principle Martin Luther espoused that is now known as “the priesthood of all believers.” I will say more of that later.

Note that Elder Oaks identified this belief by referencing Martin Luther's terminology. He did not proclaim that such constituted a Priesthood, only that others have so called it. There are not two types of Priesthood, only the one.

Originally Posted by rameumptom

The highest form of priesthood is received in the temple, when a man and woman are sealed for eternity. With that sealing, the two enter jointly into the Patriarchal Priesthood.

No. A man and a woman enter into "the new and everlasting covenant", which is an order of the (Melchizedek) Priesthood. It is not a separate Priesthood. In its general sense, "the new and everlasting covenant" refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Celestial marriage is a crowning event of the covenant, since it completes the man and the woman and assures them of eternal increase.

There is no Priesthood besides the Melchizedek Priesthood. Even the Aaronic Priesthood is an appendage to the greater Priesthood. It is the Priesthood held by the ancient patriarchs, and thus was sometimes called the Patriarchal Priesthood.

[applepansy]

Originally Posted by Hala401;682079[B

]It is inexplicable to me that a life long member of our church could struggle with the same things as [/B]I. As wont as some may be to accept me as a member, of the church, they will have to take their quarrel to Heavenly Father.

So, it is with no small measure of confusion that I see her struggle. She has something going in her relationship with her husband that I could see would be a challenge to any woman's faith. So, having so disastrously failed in my own marital relationship, I can at least empathise with her struggles and try to provide encouragement. We suffer similar torment but from two different directions. Perhaps we can bind each other's wounds.

Today, it was obvious to me that Heavenly Father did not utterly reject me for my failures, though I thought so for seven long years. Every single day joy swells my heart because even deep in my failure, He still loved me. People who talk to me seem confused and sometimes even a little amazed at my adoration and faith in Heavenly Father.

It is his will I will follow.

Hala, even life long members must be converts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We each have to find our own testimony. Life-long members sometimes ride along on someone else's testimony-coat-tails. That doesn't work forever. Eventually we have to find our own way. Hopefully, by the time we start questioning our testimony has been built up strong enough to overcome the questions Satan puts in our minds/hearts.

[pam]

Originally Posted by Hala401

It is inexplicable to me that a life long member of our church could struggle with the same things as I. As wont as some may be to accept me as a member, of the church, they will have to take their quarrel to Heavenly Father.

So, it is with no small measure of confusion that I see her struggle. She has something going in her relationship with her husband that I could see would be a challenge to any woman's faith. So, having so disastrously failed in my own marital relationship, I can at least empathise with her struggles and try to provide encouragement. We suffer similar torment but from two different directions. Perhaps we can bind each other's wounds.

Today, it was obvious to me that Heavenly Father did not utterly reject me for my failures, though I thought so for seven long years. Every single day joy swells my heart because even deep in my failure, He still loved me. People who talk to me seem confused and sometimes even a little amazed at my adoration and faith in Heavenly Father.

It is his will I will follow.

I was only asking so that I would know in what direction to go with any response that I might have.

[Leah]

I don't struggle with the authority of the priesthood at all. It is part of Heavenly Father's divine plan and I am grateful for it.