How are Women Connected to the Priesthood? | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series EP01
Church History Matters | Episode 1 | 60 min
0:00 Title Sequence
0:58 Intro - Women & Priesthood with Guest Host Lisa Olsen Tait
6:25 Focused plan for this series
10:34 Questions this series will address
16:06 “Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temples, and Women”
20:26 Key Ideas in the Essay
24:29 The Relief Society Organized in the order of the Priesthood
30:31 Do women hold priesthood? Scott’s response
35:00 Do women hold priesthood? Lisa’s response
39:30 The Complexity of Terminology
42:10 Male Headship Explained
47:30 Addressing uncomfortable topics
51:31 Topics for future episodes
54:55 Conclusion - Why choose this topic?
This week on Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths kick off an important new series exploring women and the priesthood, joined by cohost Lisa Olsen Tait, a respected scholar of Latter-day Saint women’s history. In this opening episode, the team lays a thoughtful historical foundation—examining how women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have understood, accessed, and spoken about priesthood power from the 19th century to today. Drawing on original documents, sermons, Relief Society minutes, and lived experience, they explore how Mormon women have been taught about priesthood authority, temple covenants, healing blessings, and spiritual gifts across generations.
With clarity and optimism, Scott, Casey, and Lisa frame the discussion around a powerful truth: women have always had a vital and meaningful connection to the priesthood of God. Rather than focusing solely on policy questions, this series seeks to illuminate doctrine, covenant relationships, and the ways Latter-day Saint women participate in and access priesthood power in their homes, congregations, and temples. This is the first episode in a multi-part series that promises historical depth, faithful scholarship, and a hopeful exploration of how priesthood power blesses the entire covenant community.
0:58 Intro - Women & Priesthood with Guest Host Lisa Olsen Tait
6:25 Focused plan for this series
10:34 Questions this series will address
16:06 “Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temples, and Women”
20:26 Key Ideas in the Essay
24:29 The Relief Society Organized in the order of the Priesthood
30:31 Do women hold priesthood? Scott’s response
35:00 Do women hold priesthood? Lisa’s response
39:30 The Complexity of Terminology
42:10 Male Headship Explained
47:30 Addressing uncomfortable topics
51:31 Topics for future episodes
54:55 Conclusion - Why choose this topic?
This week on Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths kick off an important new series exploring women and the priesthood, joined by cohost Lisa Olsen Tait, a respected scholar of Latter-day Saint women’s history. In this opening episode, the team lays a thoughtful historical foundation—examining how women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have understood, accessed, and spoken about priesthood power from the 19th century to today. Drawing on original documents, sermons, Relief Society minutes, and lived experience, they explore how Mormon women have been taught about priesthood authority, temple covenants, healing blessings, and spiritual gifts across generations.
With clarity and optimism, Scott, Casey, and Lisa frame the discussion around a powerful truth: women have always had a vital and meaningful connection to the priesthood of God. Rather than focusing solely on policy questions, this series seeks to illuminate doctrine, covenant relationships, and the ways Latter-day Saint women participate in and access priesthood power in their homes, congregations, and temples. This is the first episode in a multi-part series that promises historical depth, faithful scholarship, and a hopeful exploration of how priesthood power blesses the entire covenant community.