Posted on 03/12/2010 7:02:37 AM PST by Colofornian
Women have a sacred role in the sanctification and purification of men, Elder Glenn L. Pace of the Seventy told students and faculty during the campus devotional in the Marriott Center at BYU on Tuesday, March 9.
Reflecting on the love he felt from his mother, sister, wife and daughters, Elder Pace spoke of the positive influence women have had on his life.
Speaking specifically about a time when his daughter fell asleep in his arms, Elder Pace noted the comfort it must have brought his daughter to be held by her father. He realized afterward that even greater was the peace and comfort she brought to him.
Looking to the Savior as an example, Elder Pace spoke of the love and respect He bestowed upon women.
"As we read about these associations, our focus is generally on what He teaches them and the love and understanding He gives them," Elder Pace said. "Have you ever considered the possibility that these women provided immense comfort to His burdened soul? It is my belief that He needed them as He journeyed toward living a perfect life in order that He could provide the ultimate sacrifice."
Just as the Savior needed righteous women, so do men today in purifying and sanctification in their lives.
Sharing excerpts from the story of the creation found in the book of Abraham, Elder Pace told of how the earth was created — before Eve — where Adam had been placed in the Garden of Eden. In the garden, Adam was enjoying a utopia in physical surroundings as well as open communication with God. Still, it was not complete without Eve.
"I believe the Father's statement 'It is not good that the man should be alone' (Genesis 2:18) had a much more profound meaning than the obvious biological implications," he said. "It also went further than providing Adam with company. Adam's ability to obtain the purification necessary to get back into the presence of God was dependent upon his continuous association with Eve."
In order for men and women to obtain the highest degree of celestial glory, there is need to be married, Elder Porter said.
"There is a limit to our spiritual development as long as we are single. There is a spiritual development which can only be obtained when a man and a woman join their incomplete selves into a complete couple," he said. "Just as conception requires the physical union of male and female, perfection requires the union of the very souls of male and female."
Although single men and women can accomplish great things on their own, they are incomplete until united intellectually, emotionally, physically and most important, spiritually, he said.
"The world we live in has gone awry with its focus on the physical part of the male and female relationship. If there is too much focus on the physical, the vital areas of intellectual, emotional and spiritual union are not being placed in an environment where they can flourish and grow."
Elder Pace spoke of the obsession the current society has on "making love," rather than developing a complete relationship that enables "expressing love." Because melding divine natures is a necessary element in bringing about perfection, Elder Pace said, individuals must guard against any deterioration of those natures.
"If the world keeps chipping away at the divine nature of women, it is probable that our relationships in marriage will not bring about the sanctification necessary for exaltation or, at a minimum, the process will be delayed," he said.
Referring to the phrase, "men have the priesthood and women have been given the blessing of procreation," Elder Pace spoke of the importance of each role in a relationship, and the ability couples have to complement one another in their eternal roles.
"It is the marriage ceremony in the temple where husband and wife receive the power to perfect their relationship and, thereby, obtain their exaltation."
As individuals work together to become a whole, as the Lord has commanded, they work together to become a combination of complementary capacities and characteristics.
"Sisters, I testify that when you stand in front of your heavenly parents in those royal courts on high and you look into Her eyes and behold Her countenance, any question you ever had about the role of women in the kingdom will evaporate into the rich celestial air, because at that moment you will see standing directly in front of you, your divine nature and destiny."
Got the one with four blades.
Ouch, that is going to leave a deep scar. Guess mrreagan used the other side of the razor. Might have even been a paring knife.
Not cool EW.
from Ronco?
Thanks for your posts of support. It is one thing for an individual to address the issues at hand. It is another for same individual to stoop to such a low personal attack AS AN EXCUSE that they are unable to defend their points.
Plus ginsu knives!
Getting all McConkie on us.... Not a behavioral defect of Mormonism. /S
LOL. I would expect you have the Cutco’s or both. LOL
Wusthof grand prix.
Simple things that both start with “B” - Buck and Bowie
Ah, Bowie field knives. *sigh*
Great knives.
Bwa, Ha!!!
They are my ‘babies’. Mrreaganaut likes the Wusthof Classic handles better, though.
Well good for you then. Since I qualified my statement with “IF” and you wisely sidestepped my observation that authority and superiority are not the same thing; I consider the issue settled. Your interpretation is wrong. Period. You know it and I know it.
Even your red herring of portraying my post as a slam against your military service doesn’t speak well of your character. Admittedly, it does credit to your intelligence since the usual anti-Mormon players got suckered as evidenced by the righteous indignation against me for saying something I did NOT say. But then, that’s only to be expected in these here parts. Well played.
I did not and do not condemn your service - I admire it. In fact, I’ve been encouraging my sons to serve in the US military despite being Canadians. I did not serve and I’ve always regretted it. Both my father and grandparents served in WWII. My father was shot on four occasions and injured by mortar fire once. Tough guy.
So, what have we learned in our brief exchange? I have a thin skin when it comes to dishonesty and you have a thin skin when the jab hits close to home.
Welcome to the human race. Perhaps now we’ve crossed the Rubicon and a more honest and respectful dialog can occur.
ohhh...I like. :D
Absolutely correct. I used them in a book I wrote back in 1998. Just cut and pasted, but still relevant. The biblical text doesn’t change - the Divine Council passages will always remain.
I carry the Serpentine Stockman.
Yeah, your book that got the horrendous reviews, ROFL. I can post the review here again if you wish.
And your comment goes to show that you have no real understanding of Biblical Studies. There are reasons that older books are not used in citations, mostly because they become outdated or are part of an interpretive trend.
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