Comments on: Priesthood to Be Like Women

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 16:20:05 +0000

…So do men need the Priesthood mroe than women? Maybe. But it’s there for both.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:43:03 +0000

I don’t know (and I dare say you don’t know) whether there is an inherent difference between men and women in these areas. It may very well be true that men, as a group, have less of these Christlike qualities than women have. But the differences between individuals overshadow the differences between groups to the extent that it doesn’t really matter.

Another example: About 20 or so years ago, a scholar by the name of Shockley came out with a controversial book (called “The Bell Curve,” I think?) using statistical analysis to conclude that blacks were, as a group, less able than whites in certain areas. As you can imagine, the book provoked plenty of anger. What I find surprising is that Shockley failed to move on to the next question, which is, “So what?” Even assuming (for the sake of argument) that he was right, it doesn’t really matter. Each individual person, black or white or otherwise, deserves equal opportunities to excel or fail in the areas they choose. It doesn’t make any difference if one group is, as a group, better at something.

So I suppose our stereotypes of men being, on the whole, less compassionate, less empathic, and less charitable than women, may have some foundation in fact. I can’t say for sure. But it doesn’t matter. Both men and women need to develop those qualities, and the Priesthood is able to bless both men and women in their effort to do so.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 13:53:19 +0000

Thanks for the clarification. I had interpreted your first comment to mean that priesthood betters men only.

I fully agree that the priesthood betters everyone equally. As I stated earlier, there is no inherent difference between men and women when it comes to compassion, empathy or charity, and the existence of the priesthood does not change that.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:09:07 +0000

To the best of my limited knowledge, yes.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 05:33:22 +0000

“I’m sayihg that the Priesthood can make men better than they are. It can also make women better than they are, as they are full participants in its blessings.”

So you’re saying that the priesthood allows men and women to become better equally as they participate fully in the blessings of the priesthood?

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 03:12:13 +0000

I agree. Then it depends on the man himself.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 02:57:47 +0000

Doctrine & Covenants 121:36–38 teaches me that the man who is acting that way is not really using the Priesthood at all. The Priesthood power is withdrawn, and he’s on his own.

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 02:53:13 +0000

Yes, I see that.

However, there are some men who hold the Priesthood who aren’t kind, compassionate and Christlike.

But yes, the Priesthood can help them become more so. That’s if they use it properly.

By: ltbugaf

ltbugaf — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 02:34:24 +0000

I already said they aren’t. I also said that men who are already compassionate, kind and Christlike can become more compassionate, kind and Christlike through holding and properly using the Priesthood.

By: Mary Siever

Mary Siever — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 00:46:06 +0000

I agree with that, ltbugaf, however, I know of men who have never held the priesthood who are very good men, and who are compassionate and kind and Christlike, so, I don’t think these qualities are dependent on holding the Priesthood.