I wrote this for myself, but wanted to share if you are interested in topics like this.

When I engage in my religion, God is presented as my Father. The priesthood that leads the church is run by men. The scriptures are full of stores of men, and even the core of my religion, Jesus Christ, is male. I have a patriarchal religion. And as a women, I sometimes wonder where I fit.

In Genesis 1:27, it reads “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” From the very beginning, God is presented as both male and female. Where is the female in my religion?

In the scriptures, female appears in several ways. They are present as mothers, such as Mary the mother of Jesus. Virtues are inscribed female pronouns. The church is often referred to as female: a bride for the bridegroom who is Jesus Christ. Several times women are given direct instruction and mentioned.

Mothers

• Mary (Luke 1:27-55)
• Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2:11)
• Elisabeth (Luke 1)
• Sariah (1 Nephi 5: 1-9)
• Eve (Gen 2:21-25, Moses 4-5)
• Sarah (Gen 18:9-15)

Virtues

• Proverbs 1:20–33, Proverbs 8-9
• 1 Corinthians 13

Christ and His Church

• Matthew 25:1-13
• Revelations 21-22
• Ephesians 5:22-33

Reference to Women

• Proverbs 31:10-31
• D&C 25
• Women Prophetess
  • Miriam (Exodus 15:20)
  • Deborah (Judges 4:4)
  • Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron 34:22)
  • Noadiah (Neh 6:14)
  • “The prophetess” (Isaiah 8:3)
  • Anna (Luke 2:28, Acts 1:14; 2:17).

Prominence

There are other scriptures that help clarify the importance of women. Jesus teaches how he that serves is greater than he that leads, and the last will be first. (Luke 9: 46-48, Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9: 33-37.) In the eternal scheme of things, outward prominence matters far less than humble service. Jesus talks of serving, of feeding the hungry, caring for those that mourn, and more. (Matthew 5: 34-40) I cling to this when I find myself, in my role as a women, having less opportunities, and having to sacrifice to take care of children, home, and other responsibilities. My role as a nurturer, female, women, means that my outward prominence is less, yet Jesus discuss how the humble service I give can be more desirable than prominence.

The Lord does not see power and authority as the ultimate aim. Sometimes it seems women are missing out because they do not have as many opportunities for leadership, especially if they prioritize their families. But leadership is less important than other more important aims. God desires us to care for others, and he looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7, Romans 2:11-1) not our prominence.

Complimentary Roles

To look at the roles of male and female, looking at the family gives the first blueprint. Men and women and fathers and mothers. Fathers provide, and are built for work and protection. Mothers provide the nurturing of children, as they can bear and nurse children. They are both needed to create children, and they function together, as equals, where one is not needed any less than the other. (1 Cor 11:11)

The church and Christ also perform complimentary roles. The church prepares, nurtures, and provides what is necessary to come unto Christ and stay in His fold (Mosiah 18:17, 26:21-22). Christ sanctifies and redeems us, acting as our mediator (Alma 11:40, 2 Nephi 2:27-28, Hebrews 10:9-10, Isaiah 60:16).

Matriarchy

So what is a matriarchal religion? It is not simply coping a patriarchal religion with women at the head instead of men. Just as motherhood is different than fatherhood, priestesshood is different that’s preisthood.

Patriarchal spirituality is focused on scriptures, public prayer, priesthood ordinances, preaching, proselytizing, and leadership. It is organized religion.

But a matriarchal spirituality is different, and broader, a way to nurture every individual in their own way. It includes caring for others, the care our world provides for us, beauty, and meditation. Most of these things are internally experienced. The focus of matriarchal spirituality is not to gain knowledge through written words, external instruction, but by listening and connecting with your heart. It’s feelings not words.

Both are needed. We need a loving Heavenly Father to pray to, to have the structure of ordinances and commandments. We need the mercy of a Savior. And we need the nurturing arm of Mother to care for us: through the wonders of this earth, the feelings of our hearts, and to help us have love and joy.

Experiencing Increased Spirituality

With a focus on matriarchal spirituality, we can increase our spiritual practices to include more than what is traditionally offered at church. Here are some ideas of spiritual practices:

• Nurture and Care
  • Motherhood, homemaking, caring for children
  • Service, connection with others, listening, offering relief
• Nature
  • Connection, appreciation, and caring for the natural world
  • Gardening, spend time outdoors, adventures
• Beauty
  • Appreciating beautiful things
  • Creativity, art
  • Music, dancing
• Meditation
  • Solitude, peace, listening, reflection
  • Meaningful rituals, movement, energy flows

In the ideal family, there is both a devoted mother and father. In ideal spiritual practices, there are elements of organized religion, and the more personal and nurturing practices I’ve discussed here. In my own spiritual practices as a women, I find much strength from enjoying nature, helping others, and engaging in a personal way, ways that are not necessarily part of a organized religion, but just as important to my spiritual strength.