Week 4...Gender and Family Life

This week our topic of discussion was gender and family life.  We discussed a lot about the differences between men and women. Studies show that in general, women more nurturing, sensitive, emotionally expressive, cooperative, verbal and relationship oriented.  Men, on the other hand, seem to have their strengths in protecting, disciplining, being physically expressive (often referred to as aggressive), competitive and being task oriented.  We all know that these are just generalizations and that no one profile fits every man or woman.  I personally see many of these male characteristics in myself and other female friends. Similarly, I have male friends and family who exhibit many of the female attributes. This is a great thing! I think it is what makes us all individuals.

However, I know that these generalities exist for a reason and that is, that God made men and women different and He did so for a reason! As we know from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose.” Our Heavenly Father gave us a gender for a PURPOSE! This purpose is to create families, the fundamental unit of society! Elder David A. Bednar said, “ The nature of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation.” I love his!  This is how heavenly Father planned for us to progress, together, male and female, with the strengths of each supporting and guiding the family to exaltation!

I am so grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father that guides us and gives us direction so that we are not “tossed to and fro, and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (Ephesians 4:14)