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Church History Matters

194 - How are Women Connected to the Priesthood? | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series

Church History Matters

Scripture Central

Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.92K Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2026

⏱️ 60 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week on Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths kick off an important new series exploring women and the priesthood, joined by cohost Lisa Olsen Tait, a respected scholar of Latter-day Saint women’s history. In this opening episode, the team lays a thoughtful historical foundation—examining how women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have understood, accessed, and spoken about priesthood power from the 19th century to today. Drawing on original documents, sermons, Relief Society minutes, and lived experience, they explore how Mormon women have been taught about priesthood authority, temple covenants, healing blessings, and spiritual gifts across generations. With clarity and optimism, Scott, Casey, and Lisa frame the discussion around a powerful truth: women have always had a vital and meaningful connection to the priesthood of God. Rather than focusing solely on policy questions, this series seeks to illuminate doctrine, covenant relationships, and the ways Latter-day Saint women participate in and access priesthood power in their homes, congregations, and temples. This is the first episode in a multi-part series that promises historical depth, faithful scholarship, and a hopeful exploration of how priesthood power blesses the entire covenant community.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is a story of priests and priestesses.

0:03.4

Latter-day saint, women, and men go forward with priesthood power and authority.

0:07.8

It's just making the assumption.

0:09.6

Who is they and what is it?

0:12.3

It is the unfairness, the fundamental inequality and so forth that can be found in the church based on gender.

0:19.1

Women in the church would not even ask the question of whether or not women could be ordained

0:23.1

to the priesthood is because of this fundamental assumption about male headship.

0:27.2

That's a ridiculous question.

0:28.4

The past is a foreign country, and this is part of the cultural setup.

0:32.7

Over time, this question of male headship comes under fire.

0:37.3

Women are starting to agitate.

0:39.3

Women are starting to be aware of their disadvantaged status in society.

0:42.3

And that's going to extend to religion.

0:44.3

Christ is the head of man.

0:46.3

Man is the head of woman.

0:48.3

And it creates this gendered hierarchy.

0:51.3

Are we sure they aren't ordained a priesthood office or they don't have

0:54.7

priesthood authority?

0:58.7

Hello, Scott.

1:00.6

Hello, Casey.

1:02.2

We are back and we're not only back. We're starting a new series today.

1:09.2

One that brings us a little fear and trembling, to be honest. This does bring us

...

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