Equal Partnership Between Men and Women in Families

What does equality mean? Well we know that it is too often used to mean the "identity"; that is, that two equal things must be identical to each other. Such usage represents a fallen and harmful understanding of equality that is espoused by Satan, who passionately wants all to be himself.

"The Lord did not people this earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value each the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of he symphony. All of Heavenly Father's children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole." Joseph B. Worthlin

Just because we all desire to be of one heart and one mind does not mean that we will all be identical. But we can be equal in blessings, equal in power, intelligence, wisdom, dignity, respect, giving counsel, giving consent, agency, value, potential, authority, exalted fullness, virtue, spirituality, and spiritual gifts.

Stewards in Equal Partnership
Family stewardships should be understood in terms of their responsibilities - obligations to one's spouse, not power over one's spouse.

"The Lord intended that the wife be ... a companion equal and necessary in full partnership ... for a man to operate independent of or without regard to the feelings and counsel of his wife in governing the family is to exercise unrighteous dominion." Howard W. Hunter

Gender equality is not some gratuitous element of God's vision of marriage: rather, we are commanded to presume the equality of our spouse as we approach the marriage altar, for otherwise we cannon truly love her or him. It is hoped that we then deepen that vision of our spouse's equality in the divine work that is procreation and parenthood. Indeed, given that we believe Adams and Eve lived this law, a marriage reflecting the equality of the spouse's in the ultimate traditional marriage.

We acknowledge that different cultures across the globe and across time have viewed the relationship between husbands and wives in many different ways, often at odds with the true doctrine of equal partnership. But this is not necessarily the right way to treat each other's spouses.

"In some cultures, tradition places a man in a tole to dominate, control, and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject. It is founded on the false premise that a man is somehow superior to a woman. Nothing could be father from the truth." (Richard G. Scott)