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Sisters Giving Prayers In Sacrament Meeting

Did you know that sisters in the Church were not allowed to give prayers in Sacrament Meeting until the mid-s 70's!. The prayers were all restricted to Priesthood holders only. The sisters started complaining about not having enough participation in Church meetings and then the Church decided to encourage Bishops to allow sisters to pray since there was no scriptural reason for what they should not. This happened not very long ago. This official statement was also given:

"The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve have determined that there is no scriptural prohibition against sisters offering prayers in sacrament meetings. It was therefore decided that it is permissible for sisters to offer prayers in any meetings they attend, including sacrament meetings, Sunday School meetings, and stake conferences. Relief Society visiting teachers may offer prayers in homes that they enter in fulfilling visiting teaching assignments."
(Marvin K. Gardner, "News of the Church," Ensign, Nov. 1978, 100)

Edited: LDS_forever on 26th Jan, 2005 - 2:34am

Meeting Sacrament Prayers Giving Sisters

This is similar to the issue of blacks and the priesthood and other Church policy issues. The policies of the Church are dictated by revelation and by caution on the basis of past experience. Sometimes they don't make sense. What does make sense is this - the Lord will only give us as much light, knowledge, and progress as we as a people are ready to handle. If you look at the religious climate of the 50s, the concept of a woman publicly praying to open a formal religious service was not nearly as common as it is today. The culture of the early Church came partially from the religious upbringing of its members, although the doctrine came by revelation. After so many generations, changing some of those cultural norms is a big issue.

I think that perhaps the Lord knew that the hard feelings and contention within the Church would have been more destructive than the apparent sexism, until the appropriate time came to change. If we as a people had been living such that we would accept the policy change as a blessing, rather than kicking against the pricks, it may have occurred sooner. It makes me wonder what revelations and changes would come if more members of the Church obeyed President Hinckley's counsel and overcame pornography and domestic abuse.

Sisters Giving Prayers In Sacrament Meeting Studies Doctrine Mormon

I remember when only men offered prayers in Sac meeting. It just seemed normal, like a priesthood calling. It was strange to see women start to pray. Just think if they started letting women bless the sacrament. It would seem strange to us today. Of cource we know that is a Priesthood responsability and not likely to change. But it took a little getting used to seeing women pray in church. Now I can't imagine why it seemed strange. I wonder what procedures we now take for granted may someday change? I think there is a thread on that somewhere.

Meeting Sacrament Prayers Giving Sisters

As has already been said, this just shows that the fact that something has always been done a particular way doesn't necessarily mean it should always continue to be done that way. I know in the Catholic Church they actually refer to tradition. The belief is some stuff is written down and some is just passed on as tradition. They consider the tradition as binding as the written stuff. I think the theory being the people of the early church always did it this way so it probably was taught by the savior. Anyway, I think we need to be careful about such things.

Another example of this is how certain callings are filled. Most primary presidencies are women. However, is there some official doctrine that says it should be? Not really for discussion in this thread, just using as an example. The point is, as long as our leaders are open and receptive to change and inquire of the Lord, none of this is a problem. In my opinion, anyway.

Meeting Sacrament Prayers Giving Sisters

I don't where some of you are reading about new "revelation". The statement is clear that there was no scriptural basis for it, it was done out of tradition, nothing more, nothing less.

Sisters Giving Prayers In Sacrament Meeting

Off Topic Replies have been moved to Are Males & Females Truly Equal? in the LDS Mature Board.