The teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have been a cornerstone of my life and beliefs. As an Iranian-American with a deep royal lineage from the Safavid Dynasty and a strong spiritual journey from a former Muslim to a Christian Conservative LDS Priest, I take the doctrines of our faith seriously. However, recent efforts by individuals like Julie Hanks to change fundamental aspects of our doctrine—specifically regarding women's priesthood and the sanctioning of gay marriage—pose a significant challenge to the purity of our faith. These ideas, if allowed to take root, would lead me to leave the Church without regret, for they strike at the heart of what makes the LDS faith a distinct and divinely inspired path.
The Role of Women in the Priesthood
The notion of women holding the priesthood within the LDS Church has been a contentious issue for some time, but it is crucial to remember the divine organization of the Church as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and reinforced by subsequent prophets. Women in the Church hold a sacred and vital role, but it is not one that includes priesthood authority. To claim otherwise is to misunderstand the eternal design of God’s kingdom on Earth.
The distinction between men and women in the roles they play within the Church is not a matter of inequality or inferiority; it is about divine purpose. The priesthood, as granted to men, is a responsibility that goes beyond simple authority. It is a burden to bear, a calling to serve, and an invitation to become more like Christ. Women, on the other hand, are given the power of nurturing, teaching, and leading in ways that complement the priesthood, not compete with it. Their roles are equally valuable but not interchangeable.
If the LDS Church were to follow the path of gender neutrality in priesthood ordination, we would risk losing the very essence of our beliefs about the divine roles of men and women. The feminist push to alter this would effectively water down the sacredness of the priesthood and the divine design that is, in my view, a cornerstone of the faith. To change this would undermine the eternal truths revealed by God, which I cannot accept.
Gay Marriage: A Contradiction to Divine Law
Another issue that has become increasingly prominent within the discussion surrounding the Church’s future is the acceptance of gay marriage. I have no personal animosity toward individuals who experience same-sex attraction, but I stand firm in the belief that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman, as ordained by God. The sanctity of marriage is not a cultural invention but a divine commandment that extends across time and cultures, reflecting God’s eternal design for family, procreation, and the union of the sexes.
Allowing gay marriage within the LDS Church would not only contradict our doctrinal teachings but also invite confusion and disarray into the sacred institution of marriage. This is not an issue of political correctness or social progress; this is a matter of maintaining fidelity to divine commandments that have stood for millennia. The sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman is central to God’s plan, and any deviation from this truth represents a direct challenge to His authority.
Just as I left behind my former vegan and socialist beliefs, I would have no hesitation in leaving the LDS Church should these changes be enacted. The authority of the priesthood, the sacredness of marriage, and the eternal roles of men and women are not negotiable in my faith. To alter these would be to lose sight of what the Church stands for and to invite in teachings that are fundamentally against the divine order.
Conclusion: Faith, Tradition, and the Eternal Truth
The LDS Church is not a church of convenience; it is a church of eternal truths revealed by a loving Father in Heaven. Changes that seek to undermine the divine structure of gender roles in the priesthood and the sanctity of marriage are not just political changes—they are doctrinal ones that strike at the heart of everything we believe. As someone with deep roots in faith, culture, and the preservation of tradition, I cannot accept such changes, and should they occur, I would part ways with the Church without regret.
To stand firm in the faith is to stand firm in the doctrines that were revealed to the prophets of old and to hold fast to the eternal truths that are given to us by God. I will never compromise on the sacredness of the priesthood or the divine law of marriage. And I will not be swayed by the voices that seek to change them. The eternal nature of these principles is what defines us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Citations:
- "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1995. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/topics/family?lang=eng
- "The Priesthood and the Mission of Women." Ensign, October 2001. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2001/10/the-priesthood-and-the-mission-of-women
- "Marriage between a Man and a Woman." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2006. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/topics/marriage?lang=eng
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