Mental Spring Cleaning IV

Last post I talked about "priesthood callings" and this one I'll talk about "priesthood duties."
First, what is the priesthood?
The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; D&C 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also D&C 84:35–38).
Second, in mortality, priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel. (“Priesthood Authority” Handbook 2, Administering the Church)

So, what things are necessary for the salvation of us, God's children?
Christ's atonement.  We believe men and women are saved by God's grace in sacrificing His Son so that we can return to live with Him.  Christ willingly sacrificed Himself for us.  It would not be possible for us to live with God again without this because we fall short of being perfect even as He is perfect.  Christ makes up the difference.  As we accept this gift it motivates us to be better and do our best, but also because we can see ourselves and others through the eyes of our Father in Heaven and that we are of great worth.  Because we believe this everything about our religion is to remind us of this and to point us towards Christ, to be more like Him and to be more  like God.   
We make covenants and ordinances with God.  Because these are sacred they do require priesthood authority, or power from God, to be sacred and meaningful.  Men holding the priesthood are able to:  prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament; perform baptisms; confirm the Gift of The Holy Ghost; marry couples for eternity and participate in other temple ordinances; heal the sick; and give blessings of comfort and council.  This list is not all inclusive and not all men may be able to do all of these things.  It is a step by step process.  All of these things are symbolic of Christ and His ministry.  For this reason, in order to be able to perform any of these duties men are expected to uphold high standards.
Women also have a sacred role involving the symbolism of the Savior's atonement, and are also expected to uphold high standards to better use and understand their gifts.  I don't know a lot about world religions, but I do think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is one of very few, if not the only, religion that holds Eve in the highest of regards and exalts rather than condemns her. While Satan lied to Eve, he mixed it with truth as he so often does, and Eve recognized the truth portion and acted on it.  Mormons are taught to love Eve for her choice in the garden and see her as a woman who recognizes truth, a woman with strength and honor, a woman of faith, a woman of courage, a woman of love and wisdom, a woman who knows sorrow, pain, and compassion.  Adam spoke reverently of her being "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh" and "the mother of all living." Not because he was master over her, but because he recognized her as a partner and with high value deserving his respect and most tender feelings and it is a part of the Mormon faith to treat women as such.  Motherhood or the having the potential for motherhood, just being a woman, is just as valid as every priesthood duty and contains the same symbolism.  It is part of God's authority and power making it a part of the priesthood or a type of priesthood just as valid even if it is not commonly referred to as "priesthood" and even if we are not "set apart" or publicly sustained in church as reaching this "authority".

Moses 6:58-63  is a very important set of scripture verses:
58 Therefore I give unto you a ^acommandment, to ^bteach these things freely unto your ^cchildren, saying: 
59 That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the ^aspirit, which I have made, and so became of ^bdust a living soul, even so ye must be ^cborn again into the kingdom of heaven, of ^dwater, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and ^eenjoy the ^fwords of ^geternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal ^hglory; 
60 For by the ^awater ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are ^bjustified, and by the ^cblood ye are ^dsanctified;

61 Therefore it is given to abide in you; the ^arecord of heaven; the ^bComforter; the ^cpeaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all ^dpower according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. 
62 And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the ^aplan of salvation unto all men, through the ^bblood of mine ^cOnly Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time. 
63 And behold, all things have their ^alikeness, and all things are created and made to ^bbear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.

Beautiful words there.
So, let's break it down.  All of these points have more meaning and importance, but I'm trying to keep it simple-ish.
Baptism- a symbolic re-birth.  I gave the literal birth to my children and I cherish that my husband can give the re-birth when he baptizes our children.  I would hate to rob him of that joy by doing it myself. Just like I want my husband there to support me and strengthen me in this major heroic event, I should support him in his heroic events involving symbolism of the atonement.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost- I feel the quickening when my unborn baby first begins moving- when it is a quiet and almost un-noticable movement. I house the body when the Spirit enters it.  Official church doctrine does not state when the Spirit actually enters the body, so it could be sooner than "the quickening", but many scriptures refer to the Spirit as a "Quickening in the inner man"; and when my husband confers the Gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion he can feel the power of that "quickening."  Again I would hate to rob him.  Just as he smiles and delights to hear about this exciting moment, I should smile and delight when he shares spiritual moments with me.
The Sacrament- When we partake of the sacrament we eat to remember Christ's body and keep His commandments.  We drink water in remembrance of the blood Christ shed as He atoned for our sins to cleanse us.  Blood (and pain) is a part of birth.  So is literally giving your life for another life.  You are sharing your body, sacrificing your body, sometimes with the risk even of death, that another life will live.  Also, this never gets mentioned because some might find it crude or just weird, but I don't think it's insignificant, that every month a woman suffers and bleeds. 
Healing- so many kids who are hurt want their mom.  A kiss makes it better- that isn't insignificant either.
Comfort- Women naturally are intuitive to the whisperings of the Spirit and like to give comfort to others.  If you don't feel like you are that way it is possible to become more so. 
Teaching- When a woman spends time with her children (or other children and sometimes the people around her), she experiences inspiration to teach; recognizing moments when, what, and how to teach.  Like comfort, it might not seem natural to every woman, but it is possible to pray and be blessed to get better at it.  Also, I think it is important to mention that while mothers are not "set apart" with the priesthood they are blessed with faith and with authority for their children.  If faith can move mountains it can heal, comfort, and teach (think of all those pioneer stories- especially the one about the mother who was inspired with direction to make her son a new hip-I love that story-link takes you to talk-story is at the end).
Temple ordinances- these are sacred so I won't be discussing them detailed on a blog, but it is okay to mention and remind that women receive them from other women with the priesthood power to do so.

I realize not every woman is able to give birth or have a husband, that not everything works perfectly, and so does God.  It doesn't mean you are cut short of blessings or of your own "priesthood" worth.  There is always, always, God's grace.  You might not be blessing the Sacrament, but you are still able to partake of the sacrament, and receive the blessings of that covenant and ponder the symbolism of the sacrament related to the atonement.  It really is so wonderful that through God's grace and the Savior's atonement, all are able to partake of the blessings of the priesthood because God gave it to men on earth.  Everyone is invited to be baptized, to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, to partake of the sacrament and receive temple blessings, and men holding the priesthood are asked to use the priesthood to bless the lives of those around them.  Anyone can ask for a blessing of healing and comfort.  So many times God shows His grace with the requests He gives and that the atonement is real and working today on earth.
The role of women often gets disregarded and mocked, and has for centuries, leading up to now a world of confusion as to how we women treat ourselves and the men around us and how men treat us and themselves.  We as women need to value our bodies and spirits and reverently respect their role in symbolism of the Savior's atonement.  Men also need to value and respect this.  Women also need to value and respect men's opportunities for symbolism in this earth life that they do not naturally or physically have.  I find it interesting that God chose to give women a physical way to remember the atonement and men an intuitive way when typically and generalized, women are intuitive and men are physical.  I think that is actually kind of a beautiful thing.  To give men and women a gift the opposite of what they naturally might be.  And then to be able to give each other what one is lacking.  He wants women and men to be one together.  To need each other.  To respect each other.  To have empathy and compassion towards each other.  To value the gifts of each other. to fit together like a puzzle.  Like yin and yang.  I have often said God is the greatest poet.  When religious things don't make sense logically, try looking for the poetry.

Crucial further reading suggestions:
Daughters in My Kingdom, Blessings of the Priesthood for All
Four Titles- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Do We Know What We Have?-Carole M. Stephens 
The first of 11 articles of the April issue New Era

Mental Spring Cleaning III

In the spring of 1835, Joseph Smith received a revelation explaining the name of the priesthood: “There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood. … The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances” (D&C 107:1-5, 13-14).

 I italicized a sentence in that paragraph because I think it is worth noting.  Especially the word "appendages."  What is an appendage?  On your body your arms are appendages, your fingers are appendages, your legs and feet and toes are appendages.  Because your toes are at the bottom does that make them less worthwhile?  Does it mean they don't have blood circulating through?  No, they are a part of the body.  All callings have the priesthood running through their veins; you are "set apart" or given a blessing, a part of the priesthood power specific to your calling; it could be used as blood in an analogy.  Because the toes are not the heart should they complain they don't have blood?  Should women complain they don't have the priesthood?  We do have the priesthood, we are appendages or part of an office in this church.  We all have different parts to play- does it make sense for the hands and toes or any part of a body to be jealous of the heart or do they need each other to be a fully functioning and useful body? 

So, women "wanting the Priesthood", why?  What do you think you need that you don't already have?  What church callings and duties do you want that you can't already have?  Bishop?  Prophet?  Apostles?  Young Men's leaders?
If you want to be Bishop you probably haven't been Relief Society President or Young Women's President.  If you have, would you really want to be both at the same time?  Especially after my "weight" discussion on my first Mental Spring Cleaning post?  I wouldn't.  In our church callings don't have seniority.  Not one is worth more than another.  There are people who would like to think so, but official church doctrine is all callings are of equal worth to God.  Titles are merely for keeping things organized instead of a jumbled mess.  The prophet and apostles and general women's organizations' leaders might be high profile as in seen and heard around the world, but I bet they miss the one on one contacts they were better able to make not in a high profile calling.  They are pretty busy traveling the world speaking.  God still needs people making one on one contact, person to person, sharing testimonies face to face for each other's specific needs and concerns.  He needs people who can stop by at moments notice or bring a loaf of bread or even just a smile in real life instead via a screen.  Some of us are more useful in this capacity than on a world stage.  Think of the people closest to you and how your relationship would change if the person who has influenced you most in life only made contact to you while speaking to billions of other people?  It wouldn't be the same.  People not being world famous and being helpful or influential at a local level are just as valuable, and probably more meaningful.  You don't have to be prophet or apostles or any kind of global personality for that matter, to have a very important role in this life.
Now, as for being local priesthood leaders, we covered the bishopric.  I suppose there is the ward clerk positions or auditors that any women could hold and many would be excellent at, but I don't think women aren't allowed to be those simply because they don't "have the priesthood", a big reason could be the simple fact that a woman and a man would have to be in a room with a closed door as they count the tithes and the church is very particular about not putting people in potentially compromising situations.  Think of situations such as: if men are primary teachers they have to have an assistant or teach with the door open and aren't allowed to be nursery leaders unless their wife is also called, or male missionaries not being able to teach one sister alone.  Unfortunately, our world is a place where sometimes wicked things happen and those rules are there to protect all.
As for being Elder Quorum's president or High Priest group leader- These are classes where the men can get together and talk gospel topics.  I don't have a problem with this.  There is nothing exclusive about it.  We have Sunday School where all men and women are invited to learn from each other and study the scriptures together.  Plenty of non-Mormons have men only bible study groups just because they want to get together with a group of guys and discuss religious things.  There are worse things a group of guys could choose to do.  This is just on a more organized scale.  Also, some of the duties of EQ and HP are home teaching.  Sometimes men need to visit with men and hear testimonies from each other and not just from women.  The men also need opportunities to become more Christ like, more aware of the service opportunities around them to serve as Christ would and to teach as Christ would.  The women have these same opportunities through visiting teaching.  The leaders of these organizations do get input from women who might be able to give them good advice during Ward Council meetings (the meetings with presidents of all organizations together). My experience has been that the women's opinions are just as valued as the men's and play a valuable and respected role on this council.
Young Men Leaders-  This is valuable.  Boys need, NEED, the examples of good MEN in their life.  There are so many studies about the important role that men play in lives of boys.  Men guiding and being strong examples of faith are crucial and this is God's way of making sure it happens.  Women (and men) often have influence as Sunday School teachers.  Also, as YW president I have occasionally felt that I'm there not only for the girls, but also to influence the boys.  There is plenty of time all of the youth, male and female, spend together.  Plus, really, let's think about it, we'd have to be fair, and do we really want men Young Women leaders??  Think about that feminists.
I personally have never felt a lack of opportunity to serve my faith and my God.

Mental Spring Cleaning II

Official protests about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints policies and doctrine

Once upon a time I was in a ward that was mostly apartment dwelling families.  There was one street, one, that had houses.  The families in these houses were getting tired of so many people in the ward always moving in and out.  They were tired of being the stability.  They felt that apartments have too many people with needs and become a burden.  They decided they wanted to have the boundaries rearranged to include their houses as part of another ward with houses and just have apartments as their own ward.  They were told not now and that just a ward of apartments might not be the best conclusion- it was being discussed what the best approach should be.  Shortly after we moved out we heard this: They decided they would protest.  They would attend church but no longer provide any services (help teaching, any duties they had previously been asked, meals to sick, etc.) until their street would be in a ward with houses.  Their friends were proud of them.  Someone needs to take a stand they said.  It's about time someone did something about this they said.  You have to do whatever it takes they said.
I never heard what happened- I didn't really feel like I connected with that group anyway and let natural moving losing contact happen.  It made me sad.  I was so glad we had moved before all this happened and I didn't have to feel the animosity and vanity of those house owning members.  Here they were angry and encouraging each other to be angry- that they were right and it was necessary even.
I am a Mormon because I believe that we have a prophet who talks to God.  Who speaks for Him.  I don't think God has to answer to any protest.  He isn't a politician.  He isn't God because he does whatever "the people" want.  No, church does not work that way.  Instead of changing God's mind they changed their mind, their attitude to be one of pride and anger instead of humility, patience, and listening.  It was a sad thing to see a handful of good families get caught up in their selfishness and refuse to serve because they couldn't understand why they couldn't have their way as soon as they wanted it and that they thought they could just demand something to happen.  Who do they think they are that they can tell, ultimately, God what to do and when to do it?  If changes happen in our church it is not because enough people protested or because pressure was put on church leaders.  No.  The only reason is because God needed it to happen, wants it to happen, wills it to happen.  Protesters or not.  If I didn't believe my religion was run by God I wouldn't be a member of it.
If you have kids, you may have had times where they are so stubborn and mean and bossy and even if you were just about to offer them dessert you can't because they are just being so mean about it.  Like say you woke up one morning thinking you know, we've wanted to go to the zoo for awhile and it's finally a nice day and we don't have other obligations and we can.  You say, "Hey look at what a great day it is!  You know what we should do?"  Then your kid starts yelling and throwing a tantrum about never going to the zoo and it's about time you went and today would be a perfect day but no you are so mean you only care about yourself and you only want to do things you want because you are a mean and controlling parent who only had kids to have free labor.  Then they say they hate you and kick you in the shins--before you even get to finish your sentence.  If you don't have kids imagine someone you work with who always complains and how you would feel if they talked to you that way.  Or imagine you work in customer service.  Or pretend you are a parent and your kid is talking to you that way.  Do you still want to go to the zoo?  Has it kind of ruined the joy of it?  Do you think your child is going to still have fun at the zoo if you go?  Is your child going to think the only reason you went is because  they finally complained so much you broke down and gave in?  Maybe it isn't such a good day to go the zoo.  Maybe when you are there the child will find something else to be angry about, or still be complaining he/she never gets to go even though you are right there at the zoo.  Maybe there are other things that need to happen first.  Maybe it's a better day to cuddle and read books or take a walk in the neighborhood or burn off energy on the playground.  Or maybe now you just have to hope the day goes by quick and after a bath and good night's sleep your child will be happy the next day.  A calm time when you can have a conversation about patience, about reasons why a trip to the zoo would not have worked other days, about listening but not always being able to give everything, about the right way to ask for things, about gratitude, and finally, about what the real problem is--it probably isn't the zoo.
I think of God as the parent, he is our Father in Heaven after all, and we are all, every one of us, still...toddlers.

A Little Mental Spring Cleaning

I'm not exactly sure how to explain this, but I'll do my best.  When I was called as Relief Society first counselor a few years ago I all of a sudden was inspired with some of the sister's trials.  I went to church and no longer saw everyone as doing great.  I realized, sometimes even specific people with specific problems, the struggles women were facing.  I didn't want to know.  I think I cried.  I also learned the importance of visiting teachers sharing with the presidency the good things they do.  I used to be the type who would go visiting teaching or do helpful things or be inspired to stop by some one's house, but never say.  I didn't do it to get recognized.  I learned the reason is because when in a presidency you know, just know, that people need help in a variety of ways, but it is impossible for the presidency to take care of everyone's needs or to even carry that burden.  Every time I heard of someone doing good for someone else it lifted my spirit and let me know that the sisters of the ward are taking care of each other...and that I wasn't all of a sudden responsible to carry everyone's burdens or do everything for everyone. 
Now that I am Young Women President I had a pretty depressing week last week.  The "inspiration" hit me I guess.  It's overwhelming to feel love, concern, and pain.  I cried some.  Our youth in our ward are fantastic.  I am amazed that they are so kind to each other and there is no bullying, gossip, or unkindness.  That doesn't happen much.  But now, I feel the weight.  It is not easy to be a teenager.  There are very hard things these girls are facing.  It's heavy.  I was feeling actually sick to my stomach.  At the same time a few thoughts have run through my head.  One:  I cannot even imagine what Christ went through to atone for us.  To know everything we feel, have gone through, and will go through.  It is hard to bear the burdens of just me, of just my husband and kids, without the burdens of the whole young women in our ward, and all at just a tiny fraction.  When blessed to serve in a specific calling we are blessed with inspiration to help and ways to serve, but that also means feeling and carrying the weight.  Christ is our Savior, He has born that weight, and probably still does to know what we are doing and thinking and what will help us most.  Thought 2:  Sometimes people expect church leaders, and members too, to be inspired about everything and to always know exactly what to do.  I am weak and cannot physically carry that for 13 girls without becoming physically ill.  We just can't expect that of any human.  Sometimes we just have to take what people can give and realize it is their human best.
I've decided that in order to better carry the weight of my new calling at church, I need to purge a few things that have been annoying me lately.  I need to get rid of the unnecessary burdens I'm carrying around.  Writing them out helps me.  The next few posts will be my purges.  Then I can let it all go.  Also, I don't think many even read my blog anyway.  Sorry in advance to those that do.  Also, sorry if much of it is Mormon specific and I hope I'm not "alienating my audience" (if I even have one anymore-esp. after the next few posts :P ).

Warm Weather?

2/18 we had a heat wave of 44 degrees.  It was finally "warm enough" to enjoy the winter weather.  It didn't last long. 2 days was it and we're back to the single digit and minus temps.  Here's some pics of the kids building forts and stuff.

 

Our fridge sounds like a summer pond.  Frogs and crickets chirping. I think our family has each had a moment where we said or thought for a second, "gasp.  It's getting to be spring.  I hear crickets!"  Sorry it's the fridge.   We should probably fix it or get a new fridge, but I kind of like it.  I wonder of subconsciously we are happier because we hear summer sounds.  You know, like light therapy for the ears.  
Yeah, okay that's actually kind of sad and we might be getting a little stir crazy.
 I went to my first "fireside" now called Bishop's Youth Discussion a couple weeks ago.  It was fun.  Well okay, watching the Deacons (12 year olds) was fun.  One got stuck between a giant bean bag and the wall.  He didn't want help.  He wiggled his way out.  ;-) 
Isaac and two of his friends were on a giant bean bag.  One friend was in the middle and had his arms around Isaac and the other friend.  I thought, "Aw, how sweet.  They like each other.  It's like the how I imagine the Savior and his apostles- lounging on pillows arms around each other listening to gospel teachings."  I told Isaac later and he said, "Mom, he had me in headlock!  Wait, did you just compare __________ to Jesus? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I can't believe it! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
A headlock makes more sense. ;-) It is pretty funny.
Last night we watched the Oscars and here's my thoughts post:
This isn't Mormon doctrine or anything , but come Judgement Day, I hope Ellen hosts and orders us pizza, I hope we all get outlandishly gorgeous designer outfits (and that maybe I could help design them), I hope to hear a billion+ speeches as beautiful as Lupita Nyong'o's, and that Benedict Cumberbatch photo bombs a group photo of all prophets since Adam. Just a crazy idea I had.  It could totally happen.;-)