Women's Role

Jesus enumerated a few of the blessings that follow them that believe.  (Remember, He also said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also,” indicating clearly that if we truly believe we may also do the marvellous works He did.)  In no place do we find the Master or any of His prophets limiting these signs to men alone, excluding women.  Instead, the Lord through the prophet Micah listed a woman among the three greatest persons in Israel: 

For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron and Miriam.  (Micah 6:4) 

And now, regarding the exercise of faith, the following quotation recorded by my sister, Olive, is taken from the teachings of Lorin C. Woolley: 

Women can pray for others, especially their children.  They can use oil, can lay on hands with their husbands when other priesthood members are not present, for administering in their own families.  They can through faithfulness obtain any or all the gifts of the Holy Ghost, such as prophecy, healing, visions, gift of tongues, etc.  Prophecy is the greatest gift; gift of tongues the least of the gifts.  No one will receive the gift of tongues unless there be an interpreter also provided.  If you have a dream in symbol form and it is from God, rest assured He will also provide the interpretation – otherwise, forget it.  Don’t worry about it.  (Reminiscences of J. & L. Woolley, Vol.4, p.4) 

Because there is so much darkness and misunderstanding both in the orthodox (Mormon) Church and among her outcasts, and because this series will again and again contain narrations of women being the instruments of God in His performing so-called miracles of many kinds, I now shall go into more detail using the scriptures or words of the prophets to prove the following bold assertion that in all of the “signs” or miracles promised by the Christ to his humble followers, in no case are women prohibited from the exercise of the powers directly resulting from a pure life, a humble spirit and faith. 

We turn to Joseph Smith and his explanations among which we find the words of the Savior repeated.  Joseph Smith was speaking to the sisters of the women’s Relief Society which he had but recently organized.  Some of the sisters also recorded Joseph’s remarks on this subject made at that and other times in their private journals.  In the following quotes the underlines are mine and are used for emphasis. 

He said the reason of these remarks being made was, that some little foolish things were circulating in the society, against some sisters not doing right in laying hands on the sick.  Said that if the people had common sympathies they would rejoice that the sick could be healed; that the time had not been before that these things could be in their proper order; that the Church is not fully organized, in its proper order, and cannot be, until the Temple is completed, where places will be provided for the administration of the ordinances of the Priesthood. 

President Smith continued the subject, by quoting the commission given to the ancient Apostles in Mark, 16th chapter, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th verses, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believed not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe:  In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” 

No matter who believeth, these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, &c., should follow all that believe, whether male or female.  He asked the Society if they could not see by this sweeping promise, that wherein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority, which is conferred on them; and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on. … 

Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick, he further remarked, there could be no devil in it, if God gave His sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on and praying for the sick, than in wetting the face with water; it is no sin for anybody to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administration. 

He reproved those that were disposed to find fault with the management of the concerns of the Church, saying God had called him to lead the Church, and he would lead it right; those that undertake to interfere will be ashamed when their own folly is made manifest; that he calculates to organise the Church in its proper order as soon as the Temple is completed. 

President Smith continued by speaking of the difficulties he had to surmount ever since the commencement of the work, in consequence of aspiring men.  “Great big Elders,” as he called them, who had caused him much trouble; (Hist. of Ch., Vol.4, pp. 603-604). 

In that great and memorable sermon Joseph gave priceless instructions to the sisters and also predicted that he would not be with them much longer.  It will be well for every reader to procure this volume (4) of Church History and study it. 

Note Joseph Smith’s introduction to Eliza R. Snow’s synopsis.  Her notes are a re-affirmation of Joseph’s explanation. 

At two o’clock I met the members of the “Female Relief Society,” and after presiding at the admission of many new members, gave a lecture on the Priesthood, showing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings and gifts of the Priesthood, and that the signs should follow them, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, &c., and that they might attain unto these blessings by a virtuous life, and conversation, and diligence in keeping all the commandments; a synopsis of which was reported by Elilsa R. Snow, as follows: (History of the Church, Volume 4, P.602) 

Carol Lynn Pearson’s book, Daughters of Light, contains numerous references to miracles performed through the instrumentality of women.  Let it be clearly understood that women do not perform miracles; neither do men perform miracles.  God performs the miracles through the instrumentality of men and women who believe (i.e.  do the works of righteousness). 

Voices Of Women, Volume 2, Rhea Kunz, pgs. 128 – 131.

This is probably the last post that I will make quoting from the volumes of Voices Of Women, by Rhea Kunz.  They are a fantastic read and are really packed full of experience after experience that reveal a life-time of exceedingly great faith.

I hope that these posts are sufficient to set the background for my next posts on this topic by which it is my intent to progress even further into this topic, and hopefully, it will draw people into the light.  In order for faith to exist, we need to have a correct understanding of our Heavenly Father and His ways.  Then, with that correct understanding, the heavens are opened and we stand before God, the great judge of all, in person, for real, not figuratively.

Doubt not, but be believing! 

This post is part of a series of posts on Women in the Priesthood. 

.