Women, authority, church—deciding how those three words should connect has been the source of much pain in the past century and also in the first century. One New Testament chapter in particular provides a window on conflict arising in the early church over this issue. Paul’s supposed settlement seemed to have resolved the matter for centuries to come. But now most Protestant denominations have faced, are facing, or will be facing the question again. Through a careful consideration of I Timothy 2, this paper will relate the journey of one male who pastored congregations for 35 years and taught would-be pastors for ten. What is the applicability for Latter-day Saints?

Bill Heersink