Men & Women: The differences

[Martain]

DIFFERENCES INHERENT BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Some roles are best suited to the masculine nature and others to the feminine nature.

—Elder Boyd K. Packer

SELECTED TEACHINGS

President Harold B. Lee

“From my experience, it would seem that faithful mothers have a special gift that we often refer to as mother’s intuition. Perhaps with the great blessing of motherhood, our Heavenly Father has endowed them with this quality, since fathers, busy in priesthood callings and with the work of earning a livelihood, never draw quite as close to heavenly beings in matters that relate to the more intimate details of bringing up children in the home” ( Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 291).

President Spencer W. Kimball

“In his wisdom and mercy, our Father made men and women dependent on each other for the full flowering of their potential. Because their natures are somewhat different, they can complement each other; because they are in many ways alike, they can understand each other. Let neither envy the other for their differences; let both discern what is superficial and what is beautifully basic in those differences, and act accordingly” ( “Relief Society—Its Promise and Potential,” Ensign, Mar. 1976, 5 ).

“We had full equality as his spirit children. We have equality as recipients of God’s perfected love for each of us. . . .

“Within those great assurances, however, our roles and assignments differ. These are eternal differences—with women being given many tremendous responsibilities of motherhood and sisterhood and men being given the tremendous responsibilities of fatherhood and the priesthood” ( “The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 102 ).

President Ezra Taft Benson

“You [women] were not created to be the same as men. Your natural attributes, affections, and personalities are entirely different from a man’s. They consist of faithfulness, benevolence, kindness, and charity. They give you the personality of a woman. They also balance the more aggressive and competitive nature of a man.

“The business world is competitive and sometimes ruthless. We do not doubt that women have both the brainpower and skills—and in some instances superior abilities—to compete with men. But by competing they must, of necessity, become aggressive and competitive. Thus their godly attributes are diminished and they acquire a quality of sameness with man” ( Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 547–48).

President Howard W. Hunter

“I suppose you would say it is a man’s viewpoint to throw a burden upon a woman to maintain the stability and the sweetness of marriage, but this seems to be her divine nature. She has a superior spirituality in the marriage relationship, and the opportunity to encourage, uplift, teach, and be the one who sets the example in the family for righteous living. When women come to the point of realizing that it is more important to be superior than to be equal, they will find the real joy in living those principles that the Lord set out in his divine plan” ( Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 139).

“It seems strange that women want to enter into professions and into work and into places in society on an equality with men, wanting to dress like men and carry on men’s work. I don’t deny the fact that women are capable of doing so, but as I read the scriptures, I find it hard to reconcile this with what the Lord has said about women—what he has said about the family, what he has said about children. It seems to me that in regard to men and women, even though they might be equal in many things, there is a differentiation between them that we fully understand. I hope the time never comes when women will be brought down to the level with men, although they seem to be making these demands in meetings held . . . all over the world” ( Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 150).

President James E. Faust

“Before we were born, male and female, we made certain commitments and . . . agreed to come to this earth with great, rich, but different gifts. We were called, male and female, to do great works with separate approaches and separate assignments.

“. . . Becoming like men is not the answer. Rather, the answer lies in being who you are and living up to your divine potential by fulfilling eternal commitments. . . .

“All of you will have to sometime answer to your natural womanly instincts, which the Prophet Joseph said are according to your natures. He said, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’ [ Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 226.] You should respond generously to those instincts and promptings to do good. Hold your soul very still, and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. Follow the noble, intuitive feelings planted deep within your souls by Deity in the previous world. In this way you will be responding to the Holy Spirit of God and will be sanctified by truth. By so doing, you will be eternally honored and loved. Much of your work is to enrich mankind with your great capacity for care and mercy” ( “How Near to the Angels,” Ensign, May 1998, 95–97 ).

President Boyd K. Packer

“The tender hand of the sister gives a gentle touch of healing and encouragement which the hand of a man, however well intentioned, can never quite duplicate” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 94; or Ensign, May 1998, 72 ).

“In the home and in the Church, sisters should be esteemed for their very nature. Be careful lest you unknowingly foster influences and activities which tend to erase the masculine and feminine differences nature has established. A man, a father, can do much of what is usually assumed to be a woman’s work. In turn, a wife and a mother can do much—and in time of need, most things—usually considered the responsibility of the man, without jeopardizing their distinct roles. Even so, leaders, and especially parents, should recognize that there is a distinct masculine nature and a distinct feminine nature essential to the foundation of the home and the family. Whatever disturbs or weakens or tends to erase that difference erodes the family and reduces the probability of happiness for all concerned” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 96; or Ensign, May 1998, 73 ).

Elder Thomas S. Monson

“What the modernists, even the liberationists, fail to remember is that women, in addition to being persons, also belong to a sex, and that with the differences in sex are associated important differences in function and behavior. Equality of rights does not imply identity of functions. As Paul the apostle declared: ‘. . . neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.’ ( 1 Cor. 11:11 .)” ( “The Women’s Movement: Liberation or Deception?” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 20 ).

Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Except Adam and Eve by nature be different from one another, they could not multiply and fill the earth [see Genesis 1:28, note 28 c ]. The complementing differences are the very key to the plan of happiness.

“Some roles are best suited to the masculine nature and others to the feminine nature” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 28; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 21 ).

Elder James E. Faust

See quotations on page 80 .

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“We live in a day when there are many political, legal, and social pressures for changes that confuse gender and homogenize the differences between men and women. Our eternal perspective sets us against changes that alter those separate duties and privileges of men and women that are essential to accomplish the great plan of happiness. We do not oppose all changes in the treatment of men and women, since some changes in laws or customs simply correct old wrongs that were never grounded in eternal principles” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 99; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 73–74 ).

Elder Richard G. Scott

“Our Heavenly Father endowed His sons and daughters with unique traits especially fitted for their individual responsibilities as they fulfill His plan. To follow His plan requires that you do those things He expects of you as a son or daughter, husband or wife. Those roles are different, but entirely compatible. In the Lord’s plan, it takes two—a man and a woman—to form a whole. Indeed, a husband and wife are not two identical halves, but a wondrous, divinely determined combination of complementary capacities and characteristics.

“Marriage allows these different characteristics to come together in oneness—in unity—to bless a husband and wife, their children and grandchildren. For the greatest happiness and productivity in life, both husband and wife are needed. Their efforts interlock and are complementary. Each has individual traits that best fit the role the Lord has defined for happiness as a man or woman. When used as the Lord intends, those capacities allow a married couple to think, act, and rejoice as one—to face challenges together and overcome them as one, to grow in love and understanding, and through temple ordinances to be bound together as one whole, eternally. That is the plan.

“You can learn how to be more effective parents by studying the lives of Adam and Eve. Adam was Michael who helped create the earth—a glorious, superb individual. Eve was his equal—a full, powerfully contributing partner. After they had partaken of the fruit, the Lord spoke with them. Their comments reveal some different characteristics of a man and woman. To Adam He said, ‘Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat?’ [ Moses 4:17 .] Now, Adam’s response was characteristic of a man who wants to be perceived as being as close to right as possible. Adam responded, ‘The woman thou gavest me, and commandest that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree and I did eat.’ [ Moses 4:18 .] And the Lord said unto Eve, ‘What is this thing which thou hast done?’ [ Moses 4:19 .] Eve’s response was characteristic of a woman. Her answer was very simple and straightforward. ‘The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.’ [ Moses 4:19 .]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 73–74 ).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

“We know so little, brothers and sisters, about the reasons for the division of duties between womanhood and manhood as well as between motherhood and priesthood. These were divinely determined in another time and another place. . . .

“We men know the women of God as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, associates, and friends. You seem to tame us and to gentle us, and, yes, to teach us and to inspire us. For you, we have admiration as well as affection, because righteousness is not a matter of role, nor goodness a matter of gender. In the work of the Kingdom, men and women are not without each other, but do not envy each other, lest by reversals and renunciations of role we make a wasteland of both womanhood and manhood” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 13; or Ensign, May 1978, 10 ).

Elder Merrill J. Bateman

“When a man understands how glorious a woman is, he treats her differently. When a woman understands that a man has the seeds of divinity within him, she honors him not only for who he is but for what he may become. An understanding of the divine nature allows each person to have respect for the other. The eternal view engenders a desire in men and women to learn from and share with each other.

“Men and women are created as complements. They complete one another. Paul told the Corinthians: ‘Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord’ ( 1 Corinthians 11:11 ). Men and women complement each other not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. The apostle Paul taught that ‘the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband’ and through them both the children are made holy ( 1 Corinthians 7:14 ). Men and women have different strengths and weaknesses, and marriage is a synergistic relationship in which spiritual growth is enhanced because of the differences” (“The Eternal Family,” 113).

[Martain]

This one was a page taken directly out of the Eternal Marriage Student Manual put together by the Church. I felt the quotes were just so wonderful and wanted to share them.

An online version of the manual can be found here if anyone wants to do self study and doesn't have a class on it nearby.

Aren't women wonderful !

[Maureen]

Without reading the OP, I'm going to guess that some men are taller than some women? :)

M.

[andypg]

Men and women are equal, but not necessarily the same.

[slamjet]

In geek talk, it's the difference between a port and a dongle (yes, it's a real term).

[bytor2112]

One has two knees the other three......( a right knee , a left knee and a...well you get the picture )

Edited July 29, 2011 by bytor2112

[Guest mysticmorini]

Men and women are equal, but not necessarily the same.

I like to say men and women are equally different. Think about that!

[RipplecutBuddha]

When God made man he was excited to be almost done with the whole creation process, but then he saw what he made and said "Whoa...that didn't come out quite right...I'm gonna have to slow down and pay more attention."

Then he made woman.

[LinuxGal]

In geek talk, it's the difference between a port and a dongle (yes, it's a real term).

Unix/Linux has a "man" command, you use it to find out about other commands. Someone suggested there should be a "woman" command as well, but nobody has the bandwidth to download it, or the disk space to maintain it.

[Vort]

When God made man he was excited to be almost done with the whole creation process, but then he saw what he made and said "Whoa...that didn't come out quite right...I'm gonna have to slow down and pay more attention."

Then he made woman.

Unfortunately, I know people, both men and women, who literally believe this to be true.

[Guest]

I love and appreciate the many good men in my life. My dad, my father-in-law, especially my husband, our brothers, our friends. . . by and large the good men who have crossed my path have outweighed the rotten ones. I have a great fondness for righteous men.

[Traveler]

Men and women are not equal - they are different. The important notion (in my mind) is that the whole "marriage" between a man and a woman is much greater than the sum of it parts.

What is sad to me is that not all relationships (including many intimate relationships) are not close to being a marriage - so much so that many in our generation have lost the concept.

The Traveler

[pam]

When I first read the title I thought really? Did you not take sex education or anatomy in school?

[Praetorian_Brow]

The difference is that one puts away chairs and the other one complains about the temperature.

[pam]

The difference is that one puts away chairs and the other one complains about the temperature.

Then you guys should quit complaining.

[Guest]

I'll have you know that I set up the chairs in most of the classrooms and half the cultural hall by myself yesterday.

[Guest]

Ohhhh... so that's why I've never heard of men holding a position in the Primary Presidency...

[Hala401]

Unfortunately, I know people, both men and women, who literally believe this to be true.

I'm not from LDS stock that I know of, however back in the 1840's ...

So, anyhow I was raised in a hyper conservative home and I still remember the war at home when my older sister decided she was going to college. It's the last I saw of her for several years. She did not come home from school the next day and I somehow got word that she moved in with another family and they helped her get through college. She worked as their maid and they paid for college. She just retired from a long career as a Marine Biologist.

So, in the 70's in the non LDS world, it somehow was suddenly not OK for a woman to stay home and raise a family. I think that was a huge error. Now, I am getting closer to 70 than I ever wanted to, and having spent years trying to do the same work as a man, my body is paying the price. In the wisdomfultoolateness of life, I can most certainly see that there are things that I did should have been left well enough alone. The things I didn't do are worth longing for, but not attainable at this late date.

[Dove]

Wow, this is a sensitive topic to me, as I believe it could be for a lot of women (and perhaps men).

It's sensitive to me because women have been so discriminated against through the ages. Also, how many times they have been abused or even just held back simply because of their gender.....I don't believe in esteeming one sex above the other. It's not fair to any of us.

I believe in the priesthood authority because of how often it's power has been shown in my life. However, I really take issue with those who abuse their gift of having the priesthood.

I just hope that women's agency to conduct their lives as they see fit will always be honored, just as the men's.

[LittleWyvern]

Unix/Linux has a "man" command, you use it to find out about other commands. Someone suggested there should be a "woman" command as well, but nobody has the bandwidth to download it, or the disk space to maintain it.

$ man womanNo manual entry for woman

[applepansy]

I am grateful for the differences in men and women. Those differences bless our lives and our children's lives.

Yes women can do almost everything a man can do and men can do almost everything a woman can do. Its those little bits that aren't common to both genders that make all the wonderful differences which enrich our lives.

Dove, I understand your feelings. I've never understood abuse and I'm grateful to have never run into very much of it in my life. I'm thankful most of the men in my life, especially growing up, revered women and their roles. Even though my Dad got upset when my Mom went back to work in nursing when I was young, he was grateful for her skills in helping support the family.

[prisonchaplain]

I'll have you know that I set up the chairs in most of the classrooms and half the cultural hall by myself yesterday.

Was it hot?

[pam]

Was it hot?

That's entrapment.

[Hala401]

Wow, this is a sensitive topic to me, as I believe it could be for a lot of women (and perhaps men).

It's sensitive to me because women have been so discriminated against through the ages. Also, how many times they have been abused or even just held back simply because of their gender.....I don't believe in esteeming one sex above the other. It's not fair to any of us.

I believe in the priesthood authority because of how often it's power has been shown in my life. However, I really take issue with those who abuse their gift of having the priesthood.

I just hope that women's agency to conduct their lives as they see fit will always be honored, just as the men's.

Out of the vast depth of my lack of understanding come questions too complex for me to understand. Having worked most of my life in construction, which is in most cases a male based world, I well know how difficult it is for a woman in that area. And, when I finally learned enough to do an office job, it was at times doubly hard, because some of those male executives eat "raw steak for breakfast".

I've come to the place that my opinion is that we at times don't get treated so well, because of our, to varying extents, reticent nature. For me to stand up to a man holding a hammer, and raising his voice at me is almost impossible. I don't know if the testosterone advantage will ever go away.

It is sad to me that so many of my sisters seem to think that having 6 or more children is obligatory. I think 4 is enough, and I had three. I fear that too many children breaks a woman down so badly that she can not enjoy later life. Is there a rule for that?

I too am so thankful for the priesthood, and the fact that I will never have to worry about that.

[pam]

It is sad to me that so many of my sisters seem to think that having 6 or more children is obligatory. I think 4 is enough, and I had three. I fear that too many children breaks a woman down so badly that she can not enjoy later life. Is there a rule for that?

Yet there are many women who choose to have several children. Do we judge them and put them in a bad light because that is their choice. It's a personal choice how many children we choose to have. It's not for any of us to say that 4 is enough.