Thursday, September 24, 2009

1 Corinthians 11

Chapter 11 first deals with the role of women in the church and discusses the priesthood relationship of the husband and wife. In the realm of priesthood duties, Christ is subject to the Father, the man is subject to Christ, and the woman is subject to man. It is important to remember that in all other ways that men and the women are equal and the admonition given in Section 121 in the D&C should always be in the mind of every man who presides in his home: "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion (not force), by long-suffering (willing to bear all things quietly), by gentleness and meekness, and love unfeigned (not fake or pretended); by kindness and pure knowledge (revelation)..." The priesthood is given for the purpose of blessing lives and providing the ordinances that are necessary for salvation and exaltation. It is not given so that man can exercise authority over anyone, especially the wife.

It was the local custom for women to have their heads covered, especially while praying. For a woman to not her have her head covered was considered a sexual gesture at that time and the same tradition and teaching continues with Muslim women today. The reason Muslim women keep their hair covered and wear long clothing is to maintain their purity in the presence of men. Of course, this is taken to the extreme with some Muslims such as you see with burkas.

Paul also admonishes the saints about taking the sacrament, they shouldn't take it to feed their hunger; they should take the sacrament worthily so they do not condemn themselves by ignoring what the purpose of the sacrament is. The sacrament is first a remembrance of the Savior's atonement and death in our behalf, it is also the symbol of our promise to follow him by keeping the commandments. By following him, we show our appreciation and thanksgiving for what he has done for us and the blessings that have come to as a result.

No comments: