Having met you, I can think of some pretty cute and energetic evidences of ways that you are making a huge difference at the Lord’s table. Huge. :) For generations to come, I’d say…. Just my two cents on that. :)

I think one reason the issue can be frustrating comes from the priesthood (its powers, oath & covenant, duties, blessings, etc) being more easily defined and quantifiable than the ‘separate but equal’ role(s) of women.

In the same ‘breath’ as introducing me to God, the Holy Spirit told me I would understand someday why I did not have the priesthood now, and it is with that testimony I can say it does not bother me. What I do yearn for is the understanding of what I as a woman am to bring to the Lord’s table here and now. Without that initial reassurance (which to me doesn’t preclude God changing anything tomorrow or whenever), I can see it would be much much harder to feel like something wasn’t broken or sadly incomplete.

No, *I* wouldn’t clamour for it. But I am extremely sympathetic for those who are at loose ends on this issue. I’m pretty sure that I’ve had this conversation with you before–no one is helped when women who are concerned about this issue are told to just stop worrying about it.

cheryl, I have answers that feel very comfortable to me. I’m not claiming that anyone else should give any credence to my answers, but I just don’t see questions related to women’s roles as unanswerable.

Of course you should care about caring for your children, but Julie, are you saying you would clamor for the priesthood if you became a widow so you could “better care for them”? If not (and I would have guessed/hoped you wouldnt’ be the type to get into that mindset), I don’t understand why the flippant comment….

Regarding velvet and Rusty’s comments:

I’ve thought a lot about what Velvet said this weekend and I’m trying to understand why I enjoy this blogging world so much. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are wonderful things to discuss that I haven’t thought about before. However, when there are discussions that will become heated and a distraction from real truth and/or what I should be focusing on in my life, I have chosen to just skip them altogether. So what Rusty said is fairly accurate: Enjoy what there is, and if not, oh, well.

Julie-
How is this question answerable? Perhaps it will be later…is that what you mean?

Regarding Elohim, I actually find that a fascinating insight into language and the depth of our understanding of the Gospel. That’s something that I’d probably share with a Gospel Doctrine class (if I were the teacher). Did you actually read that post?

I understand that you may not get much out of these conversations or that you may be bothered that we have these discussions. That’s okay, you’re not the first nor will you be the last. I’d just invite you to take a gander through our archives and see all of the correlated discussions we’ve had (the majority) and hopefully you can enjoy those. If not, that’s okay, my feelings won’t be hurt.

I believe our leaders are inspired, not only about what we hear on the end of their teachings, but also are inspired about what to be concerned about and what to pray about. There are 15 of them considering things of highest import. God is not going to let them lead us astray in any way that will thwart His work or His will. If God wants something done, He will let these men know He needs it done, and/or will put people in place who are ready and able to bring the issues to the table. While I do believe God gives us room to work things out, I think we sometimes underestimate how directly and intimately involved He is in this work, and how much our leaders seek His will — how CLOSE they are to the Lord. Read Elder Holland’s talk again about how our leaders consider old and new very, very carefully, and make decisions based on all factors. They are not blind to these issues. And yet things remain the way they are. We should trust that, not question it and assume we know better than they.

We haven’t heard anything about women and the priesthood not because they don’t care and not because they aren’t aware that this is a concern for some (just some) people. Rather, it’s because either they aren’t inspired to ask about it (like pound the doors of heaven about it) or they have asked and have gotten their answer. I tend to think they just KNOW that it’s not something that needs to be asked about (at least not at this time) because they know what IS God’s will concerning these things. And I think it’s folly to assume that all we need to do is do some grass-roots revolution, “raising their awareness” so they will want to ask about and that will change things (which is what i have heard more than once from the LDS feminist activist point of view). They deserve more trust than that. They are in touch with the Lord probably more than we will ever really know.

Why should I listen to what random members of the church on Nine Moons have to say if I really want credible answers? I personally don’t. I only step into this zone when my wife tells me there’s another doozy topic. If I can’t stand what’s going on, I take the time to post something. Yep. This was an instance when I couldn’t just stand by w/ these left-field topics and associate discussion.

So, why do so many of you come here? For real answers? Or social life? Or a blend? I worry that many of you spend a lot of time here. And what are you really getting? I bet some of this is fun. But what of the real substance and application for life?

Especially, when the topics are about the “Q12″ inquiring about women and the priesthood or the real meaning of Elohim, I can’t help but express what I have already. Why the fascination w/ these topics in the LDS blogosphere that are not formally discussed in church?

I believe some of you are missing the mark. All this amateur, without-a-credible-moderator, back-and-forth commentary is in part ridiculous. I know that is what makes a blog a blog. But that is what makes blogs ridiculous.