Women more righteous than men

[annamaureen]

Most of us have heard at some time or another that women are more righteous than men, more women will make it to the Celestial Kingdom, etc. Is this just one of those "cultural" church beliefs, or is there anything to back this up in scripture, doctrine, or from general authorities?

[Moksha]

If women are more righteous, why aren't they our political leaders? This seems a rather large conundrum.

[Jamie123]

Interesting: One of the first missionaries I ever spoke to told me that (a girl, of course!) but more-or-less immediately took it back. I expect it's urban mythology...though I suppose if polygyny exists in heaven there will need to be more women than men.

[pam]

I've never heard it before.

[bmy-]

Hah.

If anything.. in todays world.. I would assume it is the opposite. Although sexual oppression in the past could lend that idea some credence. The oppressed tend to turn to religion, don't they?

[FunkyTown]

Well, Isaiah 4:1 does state:

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

That seems to suggest that, in the end times at least, there will be a lack of worthy men. Is that what you were looking for?

[Mahone]

Originally Posted by annamaureen

Most of us have heard at some time or another that women are more righteous than men, more women will make it to the Celestial Kingdom, etc. Is this just one of those "cultural" church beliefs, or is there anything to back this up in scripture, doctrine, or from general authorities?

What I would say, from my own observations, is that women tend to be more spiritual than men - every session I ever went on, one glance at either side of the room usually confirmed this for me. However, spiritual is not the same thing as righteous, though they are related.

Originally Posted by pam

I've never heard it before.

I've heard it more times than i care to remember, but mostly from women who also feel oppressed for not having the Priesthood. they rationalize it something like this "women are more righteous and therefore don't need the priesthood" i usually tend to ignore so as not to hurt their egos.

[Tarnished]

I have heard it as well, that there will end up being more women in the Celestial Kingdom. However, I have never heard anyone back it up with any evidence from where they got it from. From what I have seen with the history of the world though I would not be surprised if it ended up being true.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by Mahone

What I would say, from my own observations, is that women tend to be more spiritual than men - every session I ever went on, one glance at either side of the room usually confirmed this for me. However, spiritual is not the same thing as righteous, though they are related.

That's what I was going to clarify: in my experience the assumption has been not that women tend to be more righteous, but rather more spiritual. I think there is something to it, but it's by no means universal.

Originally Posted by mysticmorini

I've heard it more times than i care to remember, but mostly from women who also feel oppressed for not having the Priesthood. they rationalize it something like this "women are more righteous and therefore don't need the priesthood" i usually tend to ignore so as not to hurt their egos.

I think you are reading way too much into that, and you might even want to check your own ego. In all my life in the Church, I can think of one woman I have known who was bitter about not being able to have the Priesthood, yet many women (and probably even more men than women) who think that women are more righteous and/or spiritual than men are.