I was participating in some sealings recently. It seems we always need a minimum of 4 men, but just 1 woman. In one session, we had 5 women, but has to wait around until we could get enough (4) men to proceed, and then couldn’t seal sons to parents. Is there a reason why women can’t serve as witnesses to sealings? I noted previously that Mary Magdalene was the first witness of Christ’s resurrection. It just seems that we could save a lot of headaches if we could let women be witnesses.
Church Policy, Culture, gender equity, LDS, Mormon, Mormon Culture, patriarchy, Temple, theology, Women
More Men Needed to Seal
Wheat & Tares 
I agree. Whyever can’t women be witnesses. So far as I can tell, it seems to be the only time I’d get sight of the script. Not having access to the written words, or being in a position to make notes really makes it difficult for me to keep on top of what is being said. And women are just as capable at following along to ensure it’s done correctly.
As Tevye would say, “that I can tell you in one word… TRADITION”
But in this case it is also codified in policy.
Apparently our female genitals affect our ability to see, comprehend, and record.
Or maybe it has to do with the discomfort males in power feel seeing women having the final say in, well, anything.
Please excuse the cynicism, my “give the benefit of the doubt” abilities are tired as of late.
“Or maybe it has to do with the discomfort males in power feel seeing women having the final say in, well, anything.”
Aah! I was missing this aspect. Silly me!
It’s because we are a patriarchal church.
All of my female friends tell me all the time that they are glad they can’t serve as witnesses, and how they don’t have time- what with all their other sealing related responsibilities, like sitting there and waiting for more men to show up. Plus, they tell me, their husbands would stop participating if the whole experience didn’t reinforce how indispensable men are. Finally, they tell me, and it is ALL my lady friends, believe me, that who wants that kind of responsibility!?!? Standing as a witness? Why would anyone want to do that!? The parts of the scripture that say that is important were clearly just talking about men. They need to be witnesses, to build their important gender-related looking skills, and men are more visual, anyways.
Having served as a temple witness for sealing the dead, the hardest part of the job is staying awake. It really requires no training or special skills. Trust me. You just sit there and listen. Anyone can do that. Responsibility? Puhleez. I can’t think of an easier thing to do in the temple. If you can repeat the veil ceremony, or even if you can’t, you can be a sealing witness. You don’t even need to sign your name. It’s mind-numbingly easy.