Live Up to Our Privileges: Women, Power, and Priesthood

Especially in recent years, prophets and apostles have assured that women as well as men can serve in the Church, the temple, and the family with priesthood authority and priesthood power. Following the Savior’s example, we can act within priesthood authority and covenants to fulfill our individual missions, to help save the human family, and to empower rising generations. By qualifying for the gifts of the Holy Ghost and the promises in the temple endowment, women can nourish, teach, serve, pray, lead, heal, parent, prophesy, minister, and testify with priesthood power.

Indeed, the very promises made by oath and covenant to those who bear the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods were extended by Joseph Smith to the Relief Society sisters. He organized them “after the pattern of the priesthood” and promised: “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates…[You] can come in the presence of God.” These promises and privileges are ours.