Our Minds and Our Callings

My younger brother is only eleven months younger than me. It wasn't until the first grade that I realized that he and I were not twins. We did everything together—we even had our own language until we were in the third and fourth grades. Even now, I can look at my brother and know what he is thinking, and he can look at me and know when I am about to start my period. I loved playing Star Wars—even from a young age—with my brothers, but I always wanted to do it in a dress. I wanted Princess Leia to eat your heart out and my amazing outfits and hairstyles. Nevertheless, I also wanted to make my brothers cry because I bet them in battle—which I always did. (They won't acknowledge it because they are sore losers).

So this is where people throw fits. Am I a tomboy forced to act like a lady, or a lady forced to act like a man? It almost seems counterintuitive—the same people who argue that we should stop assuming gender roles are the same people who get offended when people walk the line.

I look forward to my career; I am going into recreation management. I get to have fun, go on adventures, and show others how to do that, but I also look forward to the day when I can quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom.

When I tell people this, I constantly hear comments of, "Get married and don't enter the workforce at all" or "Why would you want to give up financial freedom?" I want to address the latter question. How vain are you? I rather have my home take fewer dollars home than for my kids to wonder where their parents are. I want to know my children, care for them, play, and pray with them. Not only that, but I want to be there when they need me, and I will gladly sacrifice a few dollars; that way, my children know they can count on their mom.

This brings me to a shocking discovery from my class. We were talking about how men's and women's brains are different. Someone mentioned The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and we discussed the roles men and women have as mothers and fathers and how our brains work differently to better fit the roles that Heavenly Father outlined. What was shocking was that almost all of us agreed that what the prophets have said is just a good idea, but it doesn't matter who does what role. I was the first person to speak and share that it is okay if both people agree, and the entire class seemed to agree- but we are wrong.

After everyone shared how it is okay so long as the kids' needs are cared for, I began to notice how careful the words are in the proclamation- there is no room for misunderstanding. Do we think we know better than God- because I can assure you we do not? I described the relationship I had with my younger brother growing up. Our parents raised us the same way, but he was getting hurt in almost every situation, and I helped him until my mom could. He would fight the big bullies, and I would recommend that we forgive them.

Even from birth, men and women are different, which is fantastic! We should celebrate it—not hide it or imply that it is taboo to talk about. Men have brains that are better suited for the roles divinely appointed by God- to preside, provide, and protect, and women have the calling to nurture.

The truth will offend, but when you are dating someone—make sure you find someone who understands the roles of fathers and mothers. He may be funny, but can he preside with the priesthood? Sure, she's cute, but would you trust her with your children? Don't just find someone you work well with. Find someone who helps you in the work of the Lord—especially in the ways the Lord plainly and eloquently outlined in The Family Proclamation.