We had a stake priesthood meeting Sunday night. In case anybody is wondering what stake leaders tell the men when they have them all alone in the stake center, with no women there to hear their dark secrets, I am about to let you in on something confidential: we are all often told not to be male chauvinists. I know this is disappointing to many, but it is nevertheless true.
Our stake president told a story of a meek, kind woman married to an overbearing man in our stake. Apparently, there was a discussion at a social event that our stake president attended, and the woman said, “well I think….”
At which point her overbearing husband shouted across the room: “Wow, you’re thinking. That’s a change!” Hardy-har-har!!!
The stake president said the woman seemed to deflate in front of his eyes. Our stake president’s face got red and angry as he talked to 300 men in the stake center and he said he had never been so upset at a man who held the priesthood as he was at this man for being unkind to his wife.
“I am telling you with all the power and authority I have as stake president that if you are not kind and thoughtful to your wife, you are not worthy of the priesthood, and you will suffer judgment in front of God,” the stake president thundered. I have never heard him raise his voice before. Ever.
Our stake president is the mildest, kindest man you have ever met, but apparently some people in the stake needed reminding that when it comes to our church, male chauvinists need not apply.
I’ve been extra nice to my wife since then.