Women and the Priesthood

Yesterday in Church, I heard a ward member approaching from behind. He called out The Boy's name (as per Mother's orders, I'm no longer calling my brother Perv). The Boy turned around and the men proceeded to talk about home teaching. I walked on a little with a friend but I started listening in on the conversation.

The Boy: So my home teaching companion is this guy? [points to a name across from his]

Ward Member: No, this is your home teaching companion. [points to my name]

The Boy: So what you're telling me is that I'm home teaching with my sister.

Ward Member: Huh. Yeah. That might be a problem.

Me: Couldn't help but overhear. I think that I have to get the priesthood first. Should I go ahead and set up an appointment with the bishop?

Ward Member: Yeah. And don't bother going to Relief Society. You're welcome to stay in Elder's Quorum.

So persuant to Savvymom's discussion on girls stealing boys' names or boys stealing girls' names, let this be a reminder to you all that androngynous names can cause confusion.

17 comments:

FoxyJ said...

Yeah, despite the fact that my name has the preferred feminine spelling, it's still somewhat masculine. When I was in the MTC and went to get a vaccination, I was sitting in the waiting room when I heard the woman at the desk beginning to call out "Elder [Foxy's maiden name]". After a few times of this, I realized that she was probably calling me, since my last name was a little unusual. When I went up to the desk she was rather embarrased. I'm glad I wasn't an elder though--at least we got shower curtains.

B.G. Christensen said...

Congratulations, Cicada! One small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind.

B.G. Christensen said...

P.S. Let me know when you become a bishop--I'll for sure come to your ward.

Cicada said...

It was my greatest fear that I'd receive my mission call and open it to read, "Elder Cicada, you've been..." I'm so glad that they make you send in your picture because at the very least, I don't look androgynous.

Th. said...

.

Besides the fact that if he was using MLS (the church's Official Computer Program for Sorting People and Stuff) it could never have happened.

And your name is an interesting one, because depending on which direction you look, it's history is 100% feminine or 100% masculine.

JB said...

Now I'm dying to know what your name is. Would you mind if 'Brozy told me? 'Cause I can just ask her the next time we hang out. And/or you could come along. That'd be awesome!

My name's weird too, but it ends in an "a," so (I think?) it's not tooooo hard to tell it's feminine. But I always worry that I look androgynous. Thank heaven for boobs.

Cicada said...

JB,

My name ends in an a, too. As Th. pointed out, it has a history of being 100% feminine or 100% masculine. The males never stole it from the females and the females never stole it from the males.

And I know your name. Ha! Of course you can ask Ambrosia what my name is. I've been hearing about you for over a year now and I would think that you've heard of me by now, too. I'm all for the hanging out whenever it doesn't involve dancing. I loathe dancing.

JB said...

:) Good to know! 'Brozy did tell me your name and, as I understand it, I agree that it is either 100% female or 100% male. Interesting. Much like you! ;)

Limon said...

My parents gave me the nickname "Mischa" when I was born, so I received, almost perennially, an invitation to register for a beauty pageant. Do you think a chubby ten-year-old boy could win a beauty pageant? Maybe the swimsuit competition.

Cicada said...

JB, I'm either 100% male or 100% female? I'm not sure how to take that...

Limon, were you really chubby? Because I have a hard time believing it. And you win top points in my beauty pageant.

Limon said...

I only wish that I you could see my school picture from sixth grade: my dark, long parted hair reflecting the blue backdrop; my large, thick-framed, dark tortoise-shell glasses; my dark mock turtleneck giving my second chin that extra lift; and my best attempt at a serious artistic expression. I woulda been a shoe-in.

daltongirl said...

So does this mean that if I accidentally refer to Perv by this name, you'll censor my comments with deletion? Or are you the only one who isn't allowed to call him that? Because I don't think I can handle having you delete any more of my comments. It just hurts too much.

Please advise.

sniff.

Cicada said...

I think you'll be okay. You'll only incur my mother's wrath, so when the time comes for you to be my matron of honor at my wedding because you're my BFF, then my mother will probably give you the cold shoulder. Other than that, I see no repercussions.

Cooper said...

Fat kids are funny.

Your name is a girl name in hispanic cultures, or so I'm told. In Brasil, your name just caused people to call part of the Book of Mormon "the book of souls." That was irritating to correct Bishops all the time on that.

A Canadian bishop? I don't know....

daltongirl said...

Sorry, SM. The lure of being a Matron of Honor was too great. What do you have to offer? You're already married.

Also, the last letters in Cicada's word verification RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE are "fbf." It's a sign.

JB said...

I wouldn't call you an "it," or say that you were either 100% male or 100% female. Just for the record.

JB said...

(The allegedly ambiguous "it" was referring to your name.)