Gospel Q&A is a series from LDS Daily that strives to answer important gospel questions from readers. Today, we answer the question, “Why Can’t Men and Women Serve In a Presidency Together?”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently clarified that women may serve in Sunday School presidencies, marking a meaningful expansion of opportunity for women to lead and teach. At the same time, the Church maintained a consistent pattern: presidencies remain single-gender, meaning members of a presidency serve with others of the same gender.
This pattern raises a natural question for many members who value both unity and inclusion. Why does the Church organize presidencies this way when men and women already serve together in many aspects of Church life?
Women to Serve in Sunday School Presidencies, Church Announces
A Pattern of Divine Organization
Church leadership consistently teaches that organization in the Church reflects divine order rather than cultural preference or convenience. The General Handbook explains that “Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood. Under His direction, priesthood keys are given to men to use in specific callings to help accomplish God’s work” (General Handbook, 3.4.1.1).
A presidency functions as a unified body of leaders who counsel together and act with one voice. The handbook describes how councils operate and how leaders seek direction together.
In organizations connected directly to priesthood keys, such as elders quorum or Relief Society, leadership aligns with those keys and the responsibilities attached to them. Even in auxiliary organizations like Sunday School, the Church maintains structural patterns that reflect order and consistency across the Church.
Equal, Distinct Roles
Church teaching emphasizes that men and women hold equal value and divine potential while serving in distinct, complementary roles. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, “Men and women have different but equally valued roles,” reinforcing that difference does not diminish worth (“Men and Women in the Work of the Lord”).
President Dallin H. Oaks has also explained that in “the eyes of God, whether in the Church or in the family, women and men are equal, with different responsibilities,” highlighting that equality in the Lord’s Church does not require identical assignments or structures (“The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood”).
These teachings shape how the Church organizes leadership. The Lord’s pattern does not attempt to mirror every structure found in the world but instead reflects a divine design where unity grows through complementary contributions rather than identical roles.
Protection, Clarity, and Boundaries
The General Handbook prioritizes safety, propriety, and clarity in Church settings, especially when working with children and youth. It instructs, “When adults are interacting with youth in Church settings, at least two responsible adults should be present,” (General Handbook, 10.8.1) and specifies that those adults “could be two men, two women, or a married couple.” (General Handbook, 13.3).
While the need for youth protection does not apply to adults serving in Sunday School presidencies, enforcing a similar, single-gender policy reduces situations that could lead to misunderstanding or discomfort while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Presidencies carry administrative, spiritual, and sometimes sensitive responsibilities that may require regular coordination and private counsel. Same-gender presidencies simplify those interactions and help maintain clear, consistent boundaries in leadership settings.
Unity Through Councils
The Church teaches that councils operate in a spirit of unity as leaders seek direction together.
Men and women contribute together in ward councils, where leaders from different organizations counsel as equals and seek revelation for the ward. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “My dear sisters, whatever your calling, whatever your circumstances, we need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. We need you to speak up and speak out in ward and stake councils,” underscoring the importance of both perspectives in receiving inspiration (“A Plea to My Sisters”).
This balance demonstrates that the Church does not separate men and women in meaningful collaboration but instead organizes leadership roles in ways that reinforce unity, clarity, and order. Members still experience shared purpose and mutual respect across every aspect of Church life.
Ongoing Revelation and Purpose
Recent adjustments, such as allowing women to serve in Sunday School presidencies, reflect ongoing efforts to expand opportunities within the framework the Lord has established. These changes demonstrate that the Church continues to grow while remaining anchored in revealed principles.
Leaders have emphasized that revelation often comes gradually. As taught in scripture, the Lord gives truth “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30), guiding His Church in ways that build on established patterns.
Church organization ultimately aims to help individuals come unto Christ, strengthen families, and build unity among members. The handbook describes this effort as “God’s work of salvation and exaltation” (General Handbook, 2.0).
For members who wrestle with questions like this, Church leaders encourage seeking understanding through study and prayer. As individuals align their perspective with the Lord’s pattern, they often develop deeper trust in His order and greater peace in His design.
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Disclaimer: While responses draw on scripture and the teachings of modern prophets, LDS Daily is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The answers shared are not intended to be comprehensive but are offered in the spirit of faith and a sincere desire to share hope and gospel-centered perspectives with those seeking truth.
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Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
In our ward, many years ago, we had a situation where the bishop and a RS president were attending stake meetings together(by themselves) on a regular basis. it was a 3 hour trip every time they went to a meeting. While both denied any wrong doing they both divorced their spouses and married one another. They later married and had many children and stayed together until their deaths. They were both disfellowshipped for a year. It was a sad situation for our small ward that would probably not have occurred if the two of them had not been tempted by spending many hours alone while traveling to their meetings. My cousin’s husband was the pastor of her church. He had many meetings at night where the pianist was is attendance. They began an affair and my cousin and her husband divorced. It is not wise for married people of the opposite sex to have this temptation or even the perception of mistakes being made. Wise men have made the decision to avoid this temptation of men and women having the opportunity to spend time together (sometimes alone) in church callings.
The question was still not answered.
In my early days (early 80’s) in the Church I was called as Sunday School Secretary. The whole time I was with these brethren everything was above board.