It strikes me, as I listen to a talk by Elder Neil A. Anderson about being not offended, the essential role of men in the Gospel with their stewardship over the affairs of the church, not to mention the awesome responsibility that comes with bearing the Priesthood of God. Those women who cry out against the "unfairness" of not holding the priesthood need to gain a testimony of their own sacred role and powers as a woman, mother, and nurturer...it is not a priesthood problem! :) As he described the faith of a brother in having to publicly demonstrate his faith in Ukraine by being called to be branch president and registering the church at a time of religious disapproval, I envisioned the faith of the sisters, possibly for years before, waiting such an action. Were they frustrated that they needed a man to do these things? Are we sometimes to our own great power for spirituality, faith, and goodness that we don't realize the complementary capacity of these brethren acting in their sacred Priesthood office, the need of us women for the strength and surety that a priesthood holding man, confirmed in the mantle of the Priesthood, as he goes about his own directed work from His God? I pray that my heart will be soft when the temptation of "feminism" rears its ugly head, suggesting, insinuating a lesser role because I do not have the exact same role as the men around me. I pray that I will me reminded of the graciousness, the gentility and the sweet balm of Gilead that I can administer as a woman. "The errand of angels is given to women..oh, naught but the spirit's divinist tuition can give us the vision to truly succeed!"
And now onto princesses!...
I have also been struck by a passage in "The Princess Academy", where it describes their quarry-talk with which they communicate without using their voice...mind to mind and heart to heart. As I thought, "How cool!", I was struck by the main character, Miri's, observation. It was their shared memories that made such communication possible. How essential it is to spend time with each other, friends, families and neighbors, because it is through these shared memories, these shared experiences that we are able to communicate on an even deeper level...
...and that leads to the thought, "how much do I want that with others? Am I willing to pay that price?" Is this communication not the peak of humanity, the crowning moment of human interaction and achievement when one soul can truly communicate their message to another, be it through art, accomplishment, music, sports, writing, speaking, loving, serving, etc.?
