The sixth article of faith reads, “We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church…” History shows that women held a variety of ecclesiastical offices in the early Christian churchÑsuch as deacon, priest, and bishopÑand that these women were ordained to such offices. This paper will examine the role of women in the early Christian church, the leadership roles they held, and the movements that eventually drove them from office.

Bill McGee, Muriel Schmid