We believe that the priesthood belongs to God. As such, he gives it to whom he feels either needs it most, or can use it best. So far, we do not know why women have not been given that responsibility. My point is that the priesthood belongs to God. He gives it to whom he chooses. Women may be able to use it better, but that's not the way he is choosing to use it.

The fifth article of faith reads "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (http://scriptures.lds.org/a_of_f/1) We don't take the authority upon ourselves, God directs who is to receive it and God hasn't chosen to extend that authority to women. (On person who rated this answer originally asked, "Isn't a human ultimately responsible?" However, that question has since disappeared. However, I think that the response that I gave is still important.) No, if a human being were ultimately responsible, then this would be the church of a man, not the Church of God. We believe that God leads this Church through modern-day prophets who regularly receive revelations from Him. He dictates who receives the priesthood. To be blunt about it, your response show a certain arrogance. It shows that you place man's authority above that of God. If women ever do receive the priesthood, it would be because God commanded it. ************** "lady fuschia: doesn't a "man" mean a member of "mankind" whether male or female?" Not in this case. Again, that is what prophets are for. They prevent people from misinterpreting the written word. It is because the written word can often be taken to mean what ever a reader desires for it to mean that we have so many different religions that each claim to be Christ's Church.

Men need the priesthood authority to act on God's behalf. Women do that work naturally. "Neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man."