My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for the sisters who faithfully serve as Ordinance Workers in the Temples. I know that there has been several discussions on how some feel it unfair that women in our church can not hold the Priesthood. Truth be told, there is always going to be multiple opinions and thoughts on everything. I'm not here to convince anybody of anything. The only way we can receive revelation of truth is through the Holy Ghost. I am simply here to bear testimony of something I know to be true.
President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said in a talk to the sisters, “A sister may have authority given to her to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation. Such is the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. You sisters who labor in the House of the Lord can lay your hands upon your sisters with divine authority because the Lord recognizes positions which you occupy."
I could go on about many different ways women participate in the Priesthood, but I really just want to focus on the privilege we have to perform those that are "binding and absolutely necessary." Because of the faithful sisters who serve as Ordinance Workers, we all have the opportunity in helping the Lord in bringing His children Home. These sisters are literally opening the gates to Eternal Life for our sisters who didn't get the opportunity to fulfill that covenant here on earth.
Our Father in Heaven is a just God. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" we learn that "fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." I don't know if Eve was literally made from Adam's rib, but I do know the symbolism is true. That the rib was used because it symbolizes equality. Side by side we should walk as male and female. Not once did our Father in Heaven say He loved Adam more than Eve. He never once said He would give more power and authority to Adam. He never once said because you are male you will have dominion over Eve. No sir. He gave both Adam and Eve power. He loved them both. He commanded them to live as equal partners. He loves His sons and daughters. He has specific and necessary work for each one of us. Just as when it comes to creating life. Sure, the woman physically carries and gives birth to the child, but without man it is incomplete, not possible. Both male and female are necessary to create life itself. So it is with the Priesthood. We may carry the Priesthood differently. We may serve in different capacities, but both male and female are needed in completing Heavenly Fathers work here on the earth and in the life to come.
