1 Chorinthians 14: 34-35

[MagenM]

Can someone please explain the Mormon's view on these scriptures or translate the meaning? Thank you!

34: Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35: And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

[PastorBob]

34: Let your women (unconscious mind) keep silence ( be at peace) in the churches (religious worship, prayer, or meditation): for it is not permitted unto them to speak (interfere or distract); but they are commanded to be under obedience (control of the conscious mind) as also saith the law.

35: And if they will learn any thing (be set in motion), let them ask their husbands (the conscious will) at home (before or after worship): for it is a shame for women to speak in the church (strange thoughts interfering with one's religious worship, prayer, or meditations).

Hope that helps.

[Guest tomk]

Sounds pretty harsh, at first glance.

I've been a member of the Church for over 30 years, and I have never observed any instances where the women are told to "keep quiet" or not speak in church.

And may I just say -- if there is any advantage, spiritually, held in the Church, that advantage clearly resides with the women, not the men. :)

We brethren are commanded to love and cherish our wives, and to respect women in general.

See these talks for some perspective:

LDS.org - New Era Article - Next to the Angels

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Women of Righteousness

The Tongue of Angels

[Just_A_Guy]

In short, we believe that Paul "meant" to write rule in place of speak. Women can--and should--raise their voices in prayer, in song, and in instruction during weekly services; however, all church meetings are governed under the authority of the priesthood. And the Mormon priesthood has historically been closed to women.

[Vort]

And may I just say -- if there is any advantage, spiritually, held in the Church, that advantage clearly resides with the women, not the men. :)

I surely tire of the male-bashing that many (often men) in the Church enjoy engaging in. I try to teach my sons to ignore such drivel, but sometimes it gets very hard. Thank God my wife and most of the men in my ward don't entertain themselves with talk about how spiritually inferior they believe men to be.

For the OP: Many Latter-day Saints believe that Paul was giving counsel specific for his cultural region. We no more believe that women should keep silent in Church at all times than we believe that women should never cut or braid their hair. Paul was a product of his cultural milieu, as are we all.

It's worth noting that Joseph Smith recast those verses that you mention by saying that women should not rule in Church, rather than that they should not speak. This fits in well with the LDS understanding of the Priesthood and the patriarchal order.

Edited March 9, 2009 by Vort

[PastorBob]

I surely tire of the male-bashing that many (often men) in the Church enjoy engaging in. I try to teach my sons to ignore such drivel, but sometimes it gets very hard. Thank God my wife and most of the men in my ward don't entertain themselves with talk about how spiritually inferior they believe men to be.

For the OP: Many Latter-day Saints believe that Paul was giving counsel specific for his cultural region. We no more believe that women should keep silent in Church at all times than we believe that women should never cut or braid their hair. Paul was a product of his cultural milieu, as are we all.

It's worth noting that Joseph Smith recast those verses that you mention by saying that women should not rule in Church, rather than that they should not speak. This fits in well with the LDS understanding of the Priesthood and the patriarchal order.

My thoughts exactly, when I first read the question, I thought, "Well... to be asking this clearly indicates some harsh feelings towards men."

The bible is all heavy allegory, and in my humble opinion, carefully and thoroughly constructed to spiritually destroy carnally minded people, ie; anyone who takes the literal meaning instead of the spiritual. A lot of people have died over convert-or-kill mentality it has created, despite Jesus saying that anyone who so much as gets angry with someone else is in danger of hell, in Matthew 5:22, or that we are to turn the other cheek if struck, etc.

[mamaputter]

what a great question and awesome insight. thank you vort for noting re: Joseph Smith.