Gender and Eternal
Identity. I don’t think that I ever even thought about gender in terms of
eternal importance or that it is a way to return back to the Father. The
proclamation says, “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual
premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” Gender is eternal and
each of God’s sons and daughters has a purpose in His plan. Men and women have
been given the sacred gift of creating life, in which a woman has a divine role
of baring children. Men have received the divine gift and role as a priesthood
holder. Through this role he can preside, care for, and protect his family,
with help from Heavenly Father. Because the family is so important, Satan
attacks it, by confusing people of their gender and roles.
I
think that it is important to understand our divine roles and gain a testimony
of them so as not to get confused with worldly views of differences between
gender roles and same-sex attraction. Something I thought was very interesting
and important to remember was in the commentary, “The Divine Institution of
Marriage,” which said, “Thus, if same-sex marriage becomes a recognized civil
right, there will be substantial conflicts with religious freedom. And in some
important areas, religious freedom may be diminished.” I never realized how
important it would be then to teach others the importance of their gender in
Father’s plan.
Another
worldly view that Satan is trying to implement is that men and women should be
the same or identical. Men and women should be equal but that doesn’t mean they
have to be the same. Elder Bateman said, “The eternal view engenders a desire
in men and women to learn from and share with each other.” Elder Bednar also
said, “For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive,
and complementary.” It is the differences of each gender that enable marriages
to work.
Women are created in the image of our Heavenly Mother. Boyd K. Packer said, “Motherhood is near to
divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It
places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” His
words make me feel special and make me want to live up to my role as a woman in
Heavenly Father’s plan.
This have gain a testimony of my divine role as a woman. I know that men
and women are created in the image of God and have a specific purpose both as a
woman or a man and as individual sons and daughters of God. I know that the
divine roles in which we have are part of the plan and will bring great
happiness if we fulfill them.
References:
Eternal Marriage Reference Manual
