How do Women Participate and Lead in the Church of Jesus Christ?

From time to time, some people ask about women’s leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How do they contribute?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe that women are beloved daughters of God. Their divine identity as His spirit children helps them to understand their value and purpose.

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Along with men, they build the kingdom of God through teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, participating in ward and stake councils, serving in a variety of leadership positions in the Church, doing temple and family history service, and ministering to those in need.

Though women in the Church are not ordained to priesthood offices, they have priesthood authority and power by which God blesses His sons and daughters. God’s power extends to all people who make and keep their sacred promises with Him.

All women in the Church are members of the Relief Society organisation, which was founded in 1842. Today, the Relief Society is one of the largest women’s organisations in the world, with over eight million members. In the Relief Society, women lead and serve in callings and assignments on global and local levels. Through their combined efforts, women bring spiritual and temporal relief to people around the world.

The Church’s worldwide leader, President Russell M. Nelson, told the women of the Church, “Whatever your circumstances, we need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. We need you to speak up and speak out…. You sisters possess distinctive capabilities and special intuition you have received as gifts from God.”

Latter-day Saint women around the world find fulfillment and joy in leading and serving in a variety of places and roles. Central to these leadership opportunities are in their own homes.

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In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, modern-day prophets and apostles state: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are a heritage of the Lord’ (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.”

Simply put, there are many opportunities and privileges available for women and men to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ—at home, at church, and in our communities. Women are essential to helping God accomplish His work.