Gender Roles

Think about it, what are gender roles? A Proclamation to the World states that, "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Heavenly Father created males and females as opposites for a reason. He does not make mistakes. We are the way we are for a reason. We each have different roles to fulfill and it is for a purpose. We are here to find an eternal companion, compliment one another, and multiply and replenish the earth. It's a beautiful thing. Many people want to be equal with the opposite gender. We can be equal without being the same.

In Genesis 2:18, the Lord says, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." The Lord wants us to find someone who can compliment us, who can help us fulfill our gender roles. God created Eve as an aid or helper worthy of Adam. Just like Adam and Eve we will have the opportunity in this life or the next to find that helper. In the Proclamation to the World it talks about the roles of a mother and father. "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." Adam and Eve worked together as equal partners; they created a full partnership. In Moses 5:1, there is a great example of this relationship. After Adam was driven from the Garden of Eden, he "began to till the earth … and to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow. … And Eve … did labor with him." (italics added) President Marion G. Romney said, "The word with … is very significant. It means more than physical labor. It connotes a common purpose, understanding, cooperation, and love. …
"Even when circumstances justify a wife’s working away from home to support her family, she should be laboring 'with,' not on her own nor in conflict with her husband. …
"In Latter-day Saint families the husband and wife must be one."
Often times, women feel like their voice is not heard. They feel their role is not as important as the father who is the patriarch of the home. It is true, the males are to preside over the family, but this does not mean that women are less important or that their opinions do not matter. She is important because it's crucial for her to support her husband by making decisions for the family together, disciplining and guiding children together, and she needs to encourage him to fulfill his duties. President Kimball said, "When we speak of marriage as a partnership, let us speak of marriage as a full partnership. We do not want our LDS women to be silent partners or limited partners in that eternal assignment! Please be a contributing and full partner."He could not of said it better. Husbands and wives can work together as one and be equal partners. Each role is essential.