I am a Woman And I am Not Ashamed

My gender was determined before I even came to this earth. I was given a woman's emotions, a woman's perspective, and then a woman's body. This does not mean that I was in some way slighted! It is a gift. And I am proud of it. 

There has been a lot of talk lately about the ordination of women to the priesthood and its been weighing on my mind pretty heavily, so I decided to share my opinions. 

For those of you that claim to have testimony of the Gospel of Christ yet demand to be made equals, in my mind, are losing sight of what your testimony really means to you. Let me explain....

In "The Family A Proclamation to the World" (http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TheFamily_AProclamationToTheWorld_35538_eng.pdf) it reads that, "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Meaning that us woman have always been women, and always will be women. That is not to degrade us, or demean us. This is a sacred, holy, and ETERNAL characteristic. It is part of our identity and purpose! If men and women were exactly the same- there would be no need for partnership or collaboration. We would already see things and think of things the same. But God saw fit to make us different, and yet equal in qualities and attributes we bring to the table. 

We have all heard of the phrase, "He/she is my other half" or something similar. But if we really take a look at what that means- it means that you were not complete without your other half. You were not your full potential without your spouse. We are all capable of SO much individually, but when we bring a man's point of view, emotions, and body together with a woman's point of view, emotions, and body- we are capable of SO MUCH more! 

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." 

This separation of responsibilities is not sexist. It is simply dividing and conquering in areas we are best at. Areas that we were preordained and blessed to be good at. As women, we are given bodies that are capable of bringing new life into this world. And that is no simple task! I have had the privilege of carrying, growing, birthing, and nurturing a precious daughter of God and know that it is NOT an easy task. But it brings the most love I have ever known into my heart and the sweetest memories and adventures into my life. It is a huge responsibility with great reward.

As the years have come and gone, women continue to pursue their place in the working force, to prove themselves equal, to fight for their rights, to break that "glass ceiling". This has become very empowering to us as women. We have accomplished so much in so little time, when you look at the big picture. But are we pushing too far? Yes. I say yes. To demand that we be ordained with the priesthood, in my humble opinion, is going too far. 

I am not saying that we be content to sit at home and twiddle our thumbs while raising children all our lives, but that we accept and use the gifts we've been given to be the best that we can be, combined with those of our spouse. Because together, we are better than when alone.

The men in our lives work hard and strive to be the best priesthood leaders they can be for us and for our families. But you don't see them running around demanding to be given the right to bring life into this world so that they can do it all on their own. No. There is a reason responsibilities are split. It's so that we can collaborate and work together in harmony. It is so that we don't become prideful and so self-reliant that we forget God. 

The Gospel is not all fact and things aren't always cut and dry, but that is what Faith and Prayer are for. And if you lack faith- pray for it. God will help us realize our true potential. And when we gain testimony of these simple things, all else falls in place. 

Let's not forget who you are really protesting and demanding rights from here. It's not the prophets and apostles. It's not your husbands or fathers. It's God. And when you look at it that way- I'd rather not take any chances. God knows what He is doing and it is our responsibility to have faith and endure to the end. And by enduring, I intend to enjoy my life and make the most of the gifts that I have been given combined with the gifts my husband has been given.

The Savior's Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26: 36-46 describes Christ's feelings as "sorrowful" and "heavy", meaning distressed and troubled.
Mark 14:32-42 describes Christ's feelings as "sore amazed, and to be very heavy", meaning amazed, awestruck, astonished, depressed, dejected, and in anguish.
Luke 22:39-46 describes Christ's feelings as "agony", meaning pain
Mosiah 3:7 says, "And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people."
Alma 7:11-13 talks about how he does this all for His people, "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people' and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
D&C 19:16-19 says that Christ did this all for us so that we would not have to suffer as he did, "Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."
The word Gethsemane means "olive press". This gives insight to the experience Christ went through there that night. Olives are pressed and squeezed free of it's oils and refined into olive oil. That night Christ was pressed and put under a great deal of pressure so that in the end He could come out refined and pure. He had finished the task He came to do.
While Christ was enduring such pain, His disciples were sleeping. We always wonder why they couldn't just stay awake- but they were probably there for hours and it was dark and in the middle of the night. We would all probably fall asleep too! Christ says that "the spirit is willing but the flesh is week". They were all there supporting Christ and had every intention of staying awake- but when it came to it, their mortal bodies were overcome with sleep. But Christ also said to pray always so that we can be victorious in the end and have the power to throw off temptation and evil! Through Christ and our GOd, we can have the power to do anything!
So why did Christ "drink the cup"?:
Mosiah 15:7 because it was the will of the Father
3 Nephi 11:11 because of the will of the Father and for all of mankind
D&C 19:19 to give Glory to God
In all accounts, Christ asks the Father if there is any other way for the atonement to happen, because the pain and suffering Christ is going through is so exhausting and so overwhelming. But in every account, Christ also always says, "nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done." Christ knew ultimately that it was God's will that would supersede his own wants. He was willing to do as the Father asked of him, even though it was hard and He didn't want to.
At one point during Christ's suffering things took a turn for the worst and it talks about how Christ began to pray more urgently and more exceedingly and so on. Some times when we are down or things aren't going very well in our lives, we don't much feel like praying. But here we see that it gave Christ strength to go on and to finish the task he began!
There is so much to learn from Christ's example here in the Garden of Gethsemane! We need to be more willing to follow God's will instead of out own- and to seek out His will above our own! We need to think of others as well instead of being selfish. ANd lastly, we need to pray more diligently and earnestly!

The Savior Anointed

In Matthew 26:6-13 and in Mark 14:3-9 there is a story of a woman who anoints Christ's feet with a precious and expensive ointment. Christ explains that she did this because of how she felt for Him. She knew how precious and important Christ was and showed it by cleansing His feet in a very precious oil. Mark 14:8 implies that she knew He would die for her sins, all of their sins. That she was reverencing Him. Some of the disciples felt she wasted the oil and were upset about it probably because they didn't think of something so good. They probably took for granted a little bit that they walked and talked and ministered with Christ, the Son of God. They probably felt ashamed that they did not also show such reverence for Him as this woman showed.
This woman's act was worthy of praise and remembrance because she was the one that recognized that Christ would not be with them much longer physically and she wanted to do something for Him that showed thanks, reverence, faith, and love. This woman is an example to me because she showed great love and respect for the Savior in a tangible way. Not many of us can do that. She was in tune with the spirit enough to know that she had to take advantage of the time she had with Christ to make it count. Just like on this earth we need to make the time count for something so that we can show Christ that He did not die in vain for our sins.

Preparing for the Saviors Second Coming

In order to be prepared for the Second Coming Matthew 13 outlines somethings that we can watch for so that we will be ready. There will be wars and rumors of wars. There will be earthquakes. The gospel will be published in all nations. False Christs and false prophets will come and go.
In D&C 87:8 it reads that we can prepare by "standing in holy places" and being firm in our testimonies
In JS-Matthew 1:32 says that prophesies will come to pass and be fulfilled.
In JS-Matthew 1:37 says that we must treasure the gospel so that we will know right from wrong and we will not be deceived
In JS-Matthew 1:46-50 says to watch carefully that we will be ready and will be know when it is time and we will recognize our Lord and Savior.
In D&C 33:17 it says to pray always and be prepared to follow Christ.
In D&C 45:56-57 it says to make the Holy Spirit be your guide

The Last Days of Jesus' Mortal Mission

Day One: Jesus arrived to Jerusalem and was greeted with the people laying down palm branches before him as he rode on his donkey. He went directly to the temple. He was probably tired from the journey but He had his priorities set and went straight to the temple first before resting.
Day Two: He went back to the temple first thing in the morning and saw that it was being used as a trading center and drove them all out. It was a direct challenge to the authority in place, but Christ knew that the sanctity and purity of the temple must be kept and so he enforced it.
Day Three: The leaders confronted Christ and asked why and by what authority He had done the things the previous day. Christ denounced them as true leaders and called them hypocrites. The leaders discuss what to do about him and how to get rid of him. One of Christ's disciples decides to turn him in.
Day Four: Not really known- But Christ knows of the plot for His death.
Day Five: Jesus performed the passover meal where He identified His betrayer and prayed over the first sacrament. From there He went to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed to be delivered from the pain that was to become Him. But it did not. Judas then lead officials to Jesus who took him to an unfair and illegal trial.
Day Six: Jewish leaders sought to charge him on both blasphemy and sedition based on the fact that He had called Himself the "King of the Jews" and the "Son of God". He was sentenced by the people and was crucified. He later gave up His spirit to the Lord and was taken down off the cross for burial.
Day Seven: Jesus body remained in the tomb but His spirit ministered in the realm of spirits.
Day of Resurrection: Christ rose and appeared to Mary and other disciples.

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

In Matthew 19 Jesus tells the rich man that to enter into the kingdom of God he must give all that he has to the poor and come follow Him. The man walked away because he could not bring himself to give up all that he had. But if we do give up all and follow him, we will be blessed with everlasting life and much more.
Based on what the Savior said is required of us to inherit the kingdom of God it would help us to keep focused if we remember that the blessings that await us if we do what the Lord has asked far outweigh the riches and worldly possessions that we could accumulate in this life.
WHen we serve in the Lord's kingdom he will bless us according to our work and efforts. No more and no less. But he treats everyone the same. Everyone receives the same blessing and the same rewards. Converts to the church can be comforted by the thought that the Lord treats everyone the same. And will bless them just the same as those who have been members all their lives. And for those who think it is unfair for everyone to be paid equally, they just have to come to love others and understand how the Lord works. If they could do that, it wouldn't be such a big deal to them. LIke if they have children, they want their children to all receive good things in their life and ultimately return to God's presence, even if they have made bad decisions in life.

The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also

Jesus called the seventy disciples to go be missionaries! They even went in pairs! He instructed them to go without food or money and that they would be provided for wherever they went as long as they were doing the Lord's work. The were given power to do miracles and they had much success.
Luke 10:1-2 explains exactly what we do now! We send out missionaries in pairs to preach the gospel and bring the truth to all who will listen! Then again in Luke 10:8-9 The missionaries don't take a lot with them and they are fed by those who are willing to feed them. And in Luke 10:17-20 The missionaries today also have great power to do many miracles in the name of the Lord. They report back to their mission presidents as well. ALl of these things point to our Article of faith 6.
In Luke the Lord calls for the seventy and then again in D&C 107 they are ordained and given authorities and powers as the apostles.