http://youtu.be/EvX2qP_F13I
Full transcript:
E:
Well, you know I've
been doing a lot of reading that originally the priesthood was given to women
by Joseph Smith, and it was meant to be held by men and women. And I don't know
why that was repealed, I don't think it was doctrinal, it just stopped, you know,
so really there's no doctrinal reason why women cannot hold the priesthood
today.
You know, I don't
see any reason: in 1978 when the blacks received the priesthood, you know, I
don't really think that was a revelation, I think it was more of a policy
change, which was done because the time was right for it, you know,
politically. It was time for that.
I think now it's time for women to have the priesthood. It's politically expedient now. I think of my daughters and my granddaughters that are in the church, and what would that mean to them if President Monson came down with a decree that the priesthood is now available to all worthy members, male, female, black, white, regardless of race or gender.
I think now it's time for women to have the priesthood. It's politically expedient now. I think of my daughters and my granddaughters that are in the church, and what would that mean to them if President Monson came down with a decree that the priesthood is now available to all worthy members, male, female, black, white, regardless of race or gender.
You know, I think it
would be an epic time in the history of the church. I can't think that would
make anyone sad or upset, at least women and girls, you know. It's time that
women were taken seriously and treated equally.
O:
It makes a lot of
sense to me. I agree, I have kind of a connection, my great-great grandmother
was a convert, she grew up in Kentucky on a tobacco farm there, and when she
was a mother, my great grandfather, her son, was playing outside in the rain
and he caught pneumonia and he got really sick. My great-great grandmother was
a woman of a lot of faith, and she'd made a promise, a sacred promise with
Heavenly Father that she would help to spread His gospel if He would save her
child. And my great grandfather became very sick with pneumonia, and my
great-great grandmother tried to nurse him back to heath.
But at one point, he
was nonresponsive. So they called the doctor, and the physician came and
performed his tests, and declared that the child was dead. And my great-great
grandma refused to give up on him. She laid her hands on him and gave him a
blessing. And she brought him as close to the stove as she dared and she rubbed
his body and tried to keep him warm and prayed over him throughout the night.
My great-great
grandfather refused to intercede and said the Lord's will will be done. But my
great-great grandma refused to take no for an answer. She gave him a blessing.
She rubbed his body. And she took care of him throughout the night. In the
morning, he was alive.
I know no one can
tell me women can't channel God's power, because my body is living proof to the
contrary.
E:
Well I've
experienced that my whole entire life raising five children. I laid my hands on
them all the time when they were sick. I placed my hands on them and I prayed
over them, and I don't think God discriminates who He gives His power to. I
think I'm entitled to God's power just as much as any man is. When I pray to
Him, I think that He hears. He blesses me just as much as He would bless a
man. I don't think that He loves men
more than He loves women. I don't think
He blesses men more than He blesses women, I don't think He gives His power to
men more than He gives it to women.
O:
That's a good point.
I think this would probably be a good point in the conversation to go ahead and
go over and perform the ordination. Are you ready?
Blessing:
Jamie McClellan
Johnson, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, I confer upon you the
Melchizedek Priesthood, and ordain you to the office of Elder, and bestow upon
you all the rights, powers, and authority of that office.
Jamie, I exhort you
to exercise your priesthood in righteousness. The power of the priesthood is
manifest through its exercise. Your Heavenly Father and your Heavenly Mother
are grateful for the service and care that you exhibit towards their children,
your spiritual brothers and sisters on this earth. The priesthood is to be used
to uplift, bless, and serve them.
No power or
influence can or ought to be maintained by power of this priesthood, except
through persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness and meekness, and love
unfeigned.
I exhort you to seek
out those who are scared, those who are small, those who suffer- and through
ordinances and blessings to lift them up, and to restore their faith and their
sense of self-worth.
Jamie, I promise you
as you do so you will feel our Savior's love manifest in the acts that you
perform. I do this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
