In my opinion, there isn't a greater blessing bestowed from on high than that of being a mother. To bring a little spirit into this world is literally a miracle. My hats off to all the full time moms.

To answer the question though, there is a big difference among the words "leadership" and becoming an "authority" or a "priesthood bearer." Not being sure of the depth of your question, I'll attempt to approach both.

This is a very touchy subject, particularly in these days when equality is a hot topic in everyone's conversation. As a general rule, whenever there is doubt in my mind, I always turn to what God has revealed. He is all knowing and He obviously wouldn't reveal anything that was contrary to our eternal happiness. I've read some very good books on this subject and I'm going to use some excerpts from some of them.

Since the beginning of recorded history, it seems that women have been represented to be subservient to men. I hope that these next few paragraphs can explain my feelings about how completely wrong this is. True, in a scriptural sense this is how it comes across, but just as I've tried to point out in other topics that I've answered, when certain scriptures are isolated and not read in full context with their full meanings, there are usually inaccurate interpretations.

Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., in his book called "Doctrines of Salvation" wrote the following: "There is nothing in the teachings of the gospel which declares that men are superior to women. The Lord has given unto men the power of the priesthood and sent them forth to labor in his service. A woman's calling is in a different direction. The most noble, exalting calling of all is that which has been given to women as the mothers of men. Women do not hold the priesthood, but if they are faithful and true, they will become priestesses and queens in the kingdom of God, and that implies that they will be given authority. The women do not hold the priesthood with their husbands, but they do reap the benefits coming from that priesthood."

Men and women are complementary. Heavenly Father's sons and daughters have their own specific responsibilities. In His wisdom He made men and women dependent on each to fulfill each of their own potential.

As God's spirit children in our pre-earth life, we were all equal. God loved each of us equally just as He does now. However, our roles and assignments are different in this life. Women have been given many tremendous responsibilities of motherhood and sisterhood. Men, on the other hand, have been assigned the tremendous responsibilities of fatherhood and the priesthood -- but it is vitally important to remember that they are both equally as important in His sight. No one is more significant than the other. First Corinthians 11:11 states that: "the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord." That sums it up right there.

We know so little about the reasons for the division of duties between womanhood and manhood as well as between motherhood and priesthood. These were divinely determined in another time and another place, and we all agreed to it. There are certain responsibilities we have taken upon us that make neither the man nor the woman more significant or important than the other. The relationship within the bonds of marriage can be confusing though, when you read certain scriptures like: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands" and "thy desire [shall be] to thy husband." Men fail to realize that this does not give them license to dominate or dictate. He is to preside in righteousness.

In The Doctrine and Covenants it states that the husband rules only by "persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned (sincere and genuine), by kindness," etc. (D&C 121:41-42)

Women follow their husbands only as he follows Christ. No woman has ever been asked by the Church authorities to follow her husband into corruption. She should follow him only as he follows and obeys our Savior. In deciding this though, she should always make sure that she is fair.

Paul stated: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22) This isn't a whimsical remark that Paul made. This is a powerful message to women but even more powerful to men when he included "as unto the Lord." He continues: "Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." (Ephesians 5:25)

Certainly, I would venture to say that any woman wouldn't have any qualms with these principles if her husband was self-sacrificing, loving, kind, caring and worthy of his duty to fatherhood. It's only logical that if fathers want to be respected, then they must merit that respect; if he wants love, then he must be consistent, lovable, understanding, and kind, and must honor his priesthood.

Christ loved the Church and its people so much that He voluntarily endured persecution for them, stoically withstood pain and physical abuse for them, and finally gave His precious life for them. When the husband is ready to treat his household in that manner, not only the wife, but the whole family will respond to his leadership. Does all this mean that the man gets to go out and work, fulfilling himself and his talents while the woman is stuck in the home? Absolutely not! The Church recognizes the contributions that women make in all kinds of professions and are not opposed to them working outside the home per se.

Marvin J. Ashton, one of the General Authorities of the Church, explained it this way: "A woman should feel free to go into the marketplace and into community service on a paid or volunteer basis if she so desires when her home and family circumstances allow her to do so without impairment to them." It's obvious that there are some mothers that are required to work to support their children, but it is hoped that whenever possible, mothers with children in the home will make home their priority career.

Back in 1995, I was invited to speak in Chicago to the members of the International Rotary Club. The theme of the event was "The Family" and the threats against it these days. The statistics that I gave there and what I'm about to give to you are alarming. No way are they implied towards women only, but to men as well; probably even more so to men.

a) Every 13 seconds a child is abused or neglected.
b) An unwed mother gives birth every 26 seconds.
c) Every 30 seconds a child is born into poverty.
d) A teenager becomes a mother every 59 seconds.
e) Once every five minutes, a child is arrested for committing a violent crime, and one is gunned down and dies every two hours.
f) Every day, 1,234 children run away from home.
g) 2,680 children a day see their parents divorce.
h) On the average day, 100,000 children are homeless.
i) And 1,200,000 latchkey kids a day are home alone with access to a gun.

And this is just in the United States! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something is wrong with this picture. We all need to reevaluate the roles we are assuming. If we want to become a father, THEN BE ONE! If motherhood is what you want, THEN BE ONE! We need to change these statistics and it all begins in the home with parents who know their own responsibilities and embrace them; but there must be harmony between spouses. They need to work together for a common goal. No one is better than the other.

As far as the "leadership" part of your question goes, there is an organization within the church called the "Relief Society." It is the official women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is an essential part of the structure of the Church at general, stake, and ward levels as well as a fundamental part of the gospel. As an integral part of the Church organization, the Relief Society functions in close connection with, rather than independent of, the ecclesiastical priesthood structure. Ward Relief Society presidents work with bishops, stake Relief Society presidents work with stake presidents, and the general Relief Society presidency works with designated General Authorities in what has been described as "a companionship relationship--not inferior or subordinate, but companion, side-by-side."

The Relief Society is, without a doubt, the largest women's organization in the world. It provides opportunities for association, leadership, compassionate service, and education. Women of the Church are given some measure of divine authority particularly in the direction of government and instruction on behalf of the women of the Church. The prophet Joseph Smith said that, "the Church of Jesus Christ could not be perfect or complete without it."

With all this I've written on religious equality and full partnership between the man and the woman, it is quite interesting to note, that from the early days of the church, the women have voted side by side with the men on all questions submitted to the Church membership for vote. That was an advanced concept in 1830 when no women and few men voted in any church, and few women had any political privilege at all.