LDS/Mormons, I have to ask if women hold the priesthood?

Women don't need to the priesthood. They are already good to go.

Remember the story of the Last Supper where Jesus bent to clean the feet of his friends before they went in to eat? Peter told Jesus that because Jesus was the master, He should not be stooping to the role of a servant. However, Jesus told his disciples that a true master is a person who humbles himself and serves his fellow man.

That's why men hold the priesthood--the experiences that they receive by serving in the capacity of a priesthood holder are necessary experiences--ones that teach them love, humility, compassion, and honor--things that they will need to learn in order serve our Heavenly Father in His kingdom.

Exchange the words "priesthood" for the world "fatherhood" and you will understand. A truly noble man is one who serves his family and others with the love of a father. It is a little tiny miniscule bit of God's power--and God is love.

Woman already are called to serve in this capacity and don't need the priesthood to do so.

Seriously...I've read all the things you were "taught" as a Mormon.... The stuff you were taught is messed up. You've mentioned what your family taught and I can say that what they taught doesn't represent the teachings of the church.

I actually feel for you. It's no wonder you have hard time figuring out the LDS faith with all that you've been through. However, what you experienced and were taught are not normal.

Women do not have the priesthood conferred on them, nor are they ordained to any office in the priesthood. There are no blessings that they miss out on because of this. Along with priesthood authority comes a lot of responsibility. Sometimes I think women are getting the better deal.

And I don't know what you are saying about calling those beyond the veil, your statement does not make sense.

John Mclain has a good answer.And I agree with it considering the fact that their are priestesses and prophetesses in the bible. But most of the ordinance dealing with sacrifices and church services had the priesthood men doing it, either the main Israelite prophets or the Priests of Aaron doing it.

But there are some pretty strong women who did some pretty strong things in the Bible, Deborah, Anna, and even Miriam for instance. But none of them did any of the sacrifices or what LDS would constitute as ordinance work.

I am aware of your past questions and answers and agree also with Mclain your upbringing as a Mormon seems atypical and not standard to the Mormon upbringing I have had. You should know that Joseph Smith claimed that the Ordinances of the Temple and the priesthood weren't complete till the women were organized as the Relief Society. That in itself speaks a good deal about the power of women and their place in the church as well. It's interesting that being organized as women is considered part of being fully complete.

The issue of priesthood and women is a complex one, and I've mentioned before in one of my answers that my mother assisted my father once when he couldn't find anyone to help administer a blessing on me when I was sick. Her power was being their when I needed her and my father.

Women do not have the priesthood conferred upon them in the Mormon church. They do however partake of the blessings of the priesthood by receiving sacred ordinances both in and out of the temple.

From my reading, it seems that women do hold the priesthood but only in connection with their husbands. They are to become one with their husbands. Perhaps it is the same kind of authority that a relief society president has. She presides in her role but works under the direction of the priesthood. The same with high priest group leaders who have authority that is delegated from the stake president. Also women are not ordained to any offices within the priesthood (deacon, priest, bishop, etc.) and thus cannot exercise the duties of an office.

Priesthood is defined as the authority of God and is used to accomplish the work of God both here on earth and in eternity. God uses this power in all his efforts to bring to pass the immortality and eternal Life of man. Priesthood was restored before the church was because it was needed in order to preside in the church. All church ordinances including baptism are performed by the authority of the priesthood.

Gender roles exist in the eternities. One of the roles of men is to preside in the family. Men are given the priesthood here on earth both to serve others and in so doing learn how to exercise this authority.

Another thing to consider is priesthood keys. There are a number of priesthood powers that men cannot do unless they are authorized by one who has priesthood keys. For example, a man cannot administer the sacrament or baptize without authorization form a bishop.

I do not know of anyplace in the church where the priesthood is specifically confered upon women so I suspect their authority flows from the husband. I think that the sealing of blessings in the sealing ceremony is directed to the husband and wife as one.

From all your past questions and answers, it's clear you did not have the typical LDS parents, home and upbringing.

Women receive the priesthood in the temple ordinances. They do not exercise it.

Any man can call any woman through the veil.

The bible says that all believers are apart of the priesthood ( Revelation 1:6, 5:10 and 1 Peter 2:5-9 ). So yes, women do hold the priesthood.

As far as I've heard women don't hold the priesthood or if they do it's not the same kind as men.

We are all one in Christ Jesus. If a Christian woman can go boldly before the Throne of God to make her requests known to God through prayer--as He says any believer can, what makes anyone think some narrowminded male limited "priesthood" status means anything special of itself? The OT was fulfilled in Jesus, the Last High Priest of the old way. God now desires more the sacrifice of our willing hearts in doing His will. So, when looked at through His eyes we are all priests if that's the word boat you prefer to float.

One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.

That's all that really matters.