Hi, I'm Valerie

I'm a Mormon, a mother, a sinner, a Saint.

About Me

I am a third generation member of the church . I am a mom to a beautiful daughter and am married to a church convert from Ukraine. I enjoy good food, good scenery and good fun! My hobbies are traveling, singing, cooking and politics.

Why I am a Mormon

It just makes sense. The creations of the world are too magnificent to be random. I believe there is a plan created by a perfected being, our Heavenly Father. I believe that He loves us and provided a way for us to be tested and perfected through the example of His son, Jesus Christ. I believe we can become like Him as we progress through eternity. There is absolutely nothing about the teachings of the Gospel that are inferior to my ability to feel peace. Because of the constant satisfaction I feel through living my life according to the Gospel, I know it to be true.

How I live my faith

One day at a time.

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Valerie answered...

I, for one, am glad men solely hold the priesthood in the church. I've never understood it to mean that women aren't capable of holding the priesthood, but simply that men have an additional responsibility. I would imagine if we both had the priesthood things would be more complicated i.e. the child having to choose between mother or father who would give a blessing. Women lead in numerous other ways. We nurture our children, look after other women in Relief Society, help our husbands stay worthy of the priesthood, and teach the children of the church. We also have an obligation to lead in our communities and be involved in things that are praiseworthy.
Madelyn answered...

I feel that men and women both have different but equally important roles in getting us back to God. In God's eternal plan we were spirits in His presence before this life. To progress we needed to get bodies on this earth, then perform specific ordinances (eg baptism, marriage) to return to God after this life. Women were given the godly power to bring spirits into this world and give them bodies, then nurture and raise these children with God's inspiration and guidance. The men were assigned the responsibility (through the God's Priesthood power) to serve others and administer the ordinances that will bring God's children back to His presence after this life. Both roles are necessary and equally important to God's plan for us.
I don't think women need the Priesthood to be powerful influences and to do God's work in their homes and in the church. I see men grow spiritually, and their characters become more godly when they act in God's name through using the Priesthood.
I have never felt the need to hold the Priesthood myself. I can still receive all the blessings offered by the Priesthood, my prayers can be just as powerful, and I still have access to the inspiration of God in my life.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Derek answered...

Are we not all brothers and sisters, with God as our Father? The Lord looks upon the heart, not upon the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). The criteria to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ is based on a willingness to do what he has asked us to do, not based on some outward feature.