Question:  A strange thing has come up in YW.  One family has a mom that can “tap” into the priesthood and use the power herself.  She has been called on to perform certain things in the name of the priesthood.  How do I respond?

James:  That’s a toughie.  I can’t think of any articles or statements by the general authorities that specifically address this.  I’m sure there are some, but they would take some time to locate.

My response would have to be that priesthood and motherhood are two supernal powers that God has bestowed upon His children.  He has given the powers of the priesthood to men, and the powers of motherhood to women.  Women cannot hold the priesthood any more than men can become mothers.  The two powers are designed to operate together.  Men and women can fully access both powers when they work together in a celestial marriage.

A woman “tapping into” the priesthood would be like a man “tapping into” bearing children.  He couldn’t do it.  Neither is a woman authorized to lay her hands upon a person and perform any ordinance by virtue of the priesthood.  She has no more authority to do that than a man has the authority to bear children.

Women can enjoy all the blessings of the priesthood by marriage to a worthy priesthood holder.  Men can enjoy all the blessings of motherhood and parenthood by marriage to a worthy woman.  Women in a very real sense hold the priesthood through their husbands, and even perform some priesthood ordinances in the initiatory ordinances of the temple.  Beyond that, however, women do not have the right to do anything in the name of the priesthood and invoke the power thereof.  If she thinks that she has such powers, she is being deceived.

In the early days of the Church Hiram Page was receiving revelations from a stone until Joseph Smith showed him where the revelations were coming from.  We should remember that the adversary has powers, too.  He loves to confuse people by giving revelations through rocks, and by attempting to change our designated roles of gender.

Marjorie adds the thought that priesthood is not to be confused with faith.  The priesthood operates through faith.  Women are capable of exercising great faith, but should not invoke the powers of the priesthood when doing so.