Equality through Diversity

The definition of equality is, "the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities." 

The Family: A Proclamation to the World 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."

My favorite talk on this topic, entitled "Equality through Diversity" was given by M. Russell Ballard in October 1993. I've included the link and the video clip of the talk here, and I encourage anyone reading this post to go read and watch the talk. It is incredible.

Elder Ballard is speaking to the women of the church. He says, "I pray for the Spirit of the Lord this evening as I teach a fundamental principle of the gospel that, if understood, will fortify and bless you sisters in your quest for eternal life."

Now, I'd like to share a few of my favorite quotes from the talk.

"Our Father in Heaven loves all of His children equally, perfectly, and infinitely. His love is no different for His daughters than for His sons. Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, also loves men and women equally. His atonement and His gospel are for all of God’s children. During His earthly ministry Jesus served men and women alike: He healed both men and women and He taught both men and women."

"Even though men and women are equal before God in their eternal opportunities, they have different, but equally significant, duties in His eternal plan. We must understand that God views all of His children with infinite wisdom and perfect fairness. Consequently, He can acknowledge and even encourage our differences while providing equal opportunity for growth and development."

"Our Heavenly Father assigned different responsibilities in mortality to men and women when we lived with Him as His spirit sons and daughters. To His sons He would give the priesthood and the responsibilities of fatherhood, and to His daughters He gave the responsibilities of motherhood, each with its attendant functions. "

In today's society, organizations like Ordain Women, believe that women should be allowed to hold the priesthood. They believe that it is unfair and unequal that only men can have the priesthood. As Elder Ballard explained so long ago, Heavenly Father does not favor one gender over the other. Both men and women were given specific duties and responsibilities in regards to their roles in the family. It is by divine design that Heavenly Father gave us these roles: for men to have the priesthood and for women to raise and nurture children. 

Gordon B. Hinckley said, 

"Women do not hold the priesthood because the Lord has put it that way. It is part of His program. Women have a very prominent place in this Church. Men hold the priesthood offices of the Church. But women have a tremendous place in this Church. They have their own organization. It was started in 1842 by the Prophet Joseph Smith, called the Relief Society, because its initial purpose was to administer help to those in need. It has grown to be, I think, the largest women’s organization in the world... They have their own offices, their own presidency, their own board. That reaches down to the smallest unit of the Church everywhere in the world...The men hold the priesthood, yes. But my wife is my companion. In this Church the man neither walks ahead of his wife nor behind his wife but at her side. They are co-equals in this life in a great enterprise.”