How Early Mormon Women Exercised Prophecy and Healing Without Formal Authority

Explore the unique ways women in the early Latter-day Saint movement wielded spiritual gifts, offering blessings and prophecies in their communities without holding official priesthood offices.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 12, 2026

Branched from Personal Journals and Narratives of Early Latter-day Saint Women

Quick take

Early Mormon women actively prophesied and healed despite not holding formal priesthood offices.
Their spiritual authority stemmed from personal revelations, faith, and the 'gift of the Holy Ghost.'
Practices included visions, prophetic utterances, and laying on of hands for healing.
This informal spiritual power was widely accepted and valued within the early Latter-day Saint community.

In the early years of the Latter-day Saint movement (often referred to as Mormonism), women played a vital and often informal role in the spiritual life of their communities. Despite being excluded from formal priesthood ordination, they frequently exercised powerful spiritual gifts, including prophecy, speaking in tongues, visions, and healing, operating on personal revelation and the communal belief in the accessibility of divine power to all faithful members.

The Foundation of Their Spiritual Power

The spiritual authority of early Latter-day Saint women was rooted in their personal faith, direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit, and the teachings of Joseph Smith, who emphasized that all baptized members, male and female, could receive the "gift of the Holy Ghost" and its accompanying spiritual manifestations. This belief fostered an environment where women were empowered to seek and exercise divine gifts for the benefit of themselves and others, often without needing formal sanction from male leaders.

Expressions of Prophecy

Women frequently experienced and shared prophetic gifts. This included vivid dreams, divine visions, speaking in tongues (glossolalia), interpreting tongues, and uttering prophetic statements about future events, guidance for individuals, or warnings for the community. These prophecies were often shared in private settings, small gatherings of women, or even public meetings, and were generally accepted as valid spiritual manifestations, contributing to the spiritual vibrancy of the nascent church.

Practices of Healing

Healing was another significant spiritual gift exercised by early Latter-day Saint women. They administered blessings of healing, particularly to other women, children, and the infirm, often through the laying on of hands or anointing with consecrated oil. While men holding the priesthood also performed healings, women's practices were seen as complementary and essential, especially in intimate settings where male presence might be less appropriate or available. These acts of faith brought comfort, relief, and often, documented physical recovery to those they served.

This period highlights a unique phase in Latter-day Saint history where spiritual authority was more fluid and less rigidly defined by formal ecclesiastical office. It underscores the significant agency and spiritual power women exercised, directly contributing to the faith, cohesion, and well-being of their communities. Their experiences offer valuable insight into the evolving roles of women in religious movements and the historical understanding of spiritual gifts within a rapidly developing faith tradition.

Priesthood vs. Spiritual Gifts

Early Latter-day Saints believed that while formal priesthood authority (held by men) was essential for ordinances like baptism and administering the sacrament, spiritual gifts (like prophecy and healing) were available to all faithful members, male and female, through the Holy Ghost.
Women's spiritual practices were generally seen as a manifestation of these universal spiritual gifts, distinct from the formal administrative functions of the priesthood.

Did these women hold official church positions or priesthood offices?

No, early Latter-day Saint women did not hold formal priesthood offices or leadership roles in the same way men did. Their spiritual authority was informal, charismatic, and based on personal revelation and the gifts of the Spirit.

Was this practice accepted by male church leaders at the time?

Generally, yes, especially in the earliest years of the church. Joseph Smith himself encouraged women to exercise spiritual gifts. Over time, as the church became more institutionalized, these practices became less common or were more closely aligned with formal priesthood blessings administered by men.

Is this still practiced today by Latter-day Saint women?

While Latter-day Saint women today continue to exercise spiritual gifts in many ways (e.g., personal revelation, inspired teaching, ministering), the specific practices of publicly prophesying or performing healing blessings through the laying on of hands in a formal sense are now typically reserved for priesthood holders. However, women's roles in prayer, comfort, and teaching remain central and highly valued.

What distinguished their healing practices from men's priesthood blessings?

While both involved faith and divine power, women's healing practices were often more informal, intimate, and focused on immediate needs within family or community circles. Men's priesthood blessings, while also deeply spiritual, followed specific ecclesiastical patterns and often involved anointing with oil and a formal blessing from priesthood authority.

Sources

Quinn, D. Michael. *The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power*.
Bushman, Richard Lyman. *Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling*.
Newell, Linda King and Avery, Valeen Tippetts. *Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith*.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints historical resources (e.g., *Saints* series, Church History Topics).