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I (and many others of my fellow Mormons who are women) would refute the charge of sexism. While it is true that women cannot hold certain "callings" or responsibilities (i.e. bishops, stake presidents, etc.), they can and do serve in many leadership positions, even on the world-wide level. It's also true that there are callings in the church that men cannot hold. Every Sunday I hear a sermon (talk) by a female member of the congregation. I (a man) have even been in a calling where I reported directly to a female "superior" (if there were such a thing in the church). In Mormonism, men and women are considered equals before God.

Men and women have different but equally important responsibilities in the home and the church. Men have no greater claim than women upon the blessings that issue from the priesthood and accompany its possession. According to The Savior, the Priesthood, and You [Melchizedek Priesthood course of study, 1973–74], 172), the leadership expected of LDS men "does not mean the right to dictate, command, and order. On the contrary, it means to guide, protect, point the way, set the example, make secure, inspire, and create a desire to sustain and follow." The Proclamation on the Family states: "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." Men have the awesome responsibility to live righteous lives, so much so that if the family fails, that failure is upon his shoulders. Men are the priests, but women hold positions that we as latter-day saints hold just as important. Men cannot head the relief society, the women's organization of the church that includes in its responsibilities the welfare of all families and members, and informs the bishop when families need financial or other assistance through our church welfare. Men cannot head the young women program nor the primary organization for children. "Equal" does not mean "same". We believe that the defining characteristics of each gender create a whole and perfect union wherein both spouses have equally important roles but different jobs. A man's love for his family and respect for his wife should lead him to want to protect them and provide for them, so that his wife can fulfill her divine destiny. That being said, we also believe that "disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation" (Proclamation on the Family). I, and many other LDS women, do not feel that this creates an inequality among the genders; rather, when married to a righteous priesthood holder, it frees us from trying to be 'supermom', frees us from the worries of daycare, and allows us to focus on building an eternal family.

Webmaster: Well said, Pamela! Thanks for your message.