Equal Partnership: The Celestial Model of Marriage

One heartbreaking summary of gender inequality in the world today was offered by Barber B. Conable, former president of the World Bank, who noted that “while women comprise half the [global] population, they perform two-thirds of the world’s work, receive one-tenth of the world’s wages, and own one-hundredth of the world’s property.”(1)

Such inequality and mistreatment of women must be heartrending to our Heavenly Parents, whose daughters each of the world’s women are.

In this context, the words of the Savior in Doctrine and Covenants 78:6-7 are haunting, “[I]f ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in heavenly things. For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.”

One such command or love-based counsel in our time was offered by 15 united prophets in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, wherein these prophets stated, “In [their] sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (para. 7). In the ideal of equal partnership lies a beautiful hope that sharply contrasts with the “savage inequalities” that persist across gender (and racial) lines. What does the Gospel offer us instead?

The Doctrine and Theology of the Family: A Source of Eternal Striving and Hope

The renowned Anglican scholar of Mormonism, Douglas Davies, has observed that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not only emphasized family but also holds and honors a “veritable theology of family.” The truth of Davies’ statement is seen by turning to the teachings of the current First Presidency:

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