Women have full equality with men before the Lord. By nature, the roles of women differ from those of men. This knowledge has come to us with the Restoration of the gospel in the fullness of times, with an acknowledgment that women are endowed with the great responsibilities of motherhood and nurturing.

The quote “Women have full equality with men before the Lord. By nature, the roles of women differ from those of men. This knowledge has come to us with the Restoration of the gospel in the fullness of times, with an acknowledgment that women are endowed with the great responsibilities of motherhood and nurturing.” by James E. Faust reflects the Latter-day Saint (LDS) perspective on gender roles and spiritual equality. Faust, who served as a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasized that men and women are equal in spiritual worth before God, but their responsibilities in life are seen as distinct and complementary.

The statement balances equality with differentiation of roles. According to Faust, women hold sacred responsibilities tied to motherhood and nurturing, while men traditionally fulfill other roles, often associated with priesthood duties. This view is rooted in the LDS teaching that while men and women contribute differently, both are essential to God’s plan and equally valued in His sight.

By referencing the “Restoration of the gospel in the fullness of times,” Faust situates this belief within the broader LDS doctrine that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ reveals eternal truths about the divine nature of men and women. The idea is that these distinct roles are not social constructs but part of divine design, reaffirmed through modern revelation.

The origin of this quote lies in Faust’s teachings as an LDS leader during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His words reflect the church’s emphasis on the sanctity of family, the eternal importance of gendered roles, and the belief that true equality before the Lord does not erase but rather honors these differences. For members of the LDS faith, this teaching underscores both spiritual unity and divinely appointed responsibility.