Stepping Into Divine Masculinity
Written by Cheri Stirling
In a world where gender roles and identities are often questioned, confused, or even dismantled, it has never been more important for men to understand, cherish, and step boldly into their divine masculinity. As disciples of Jesus Christ, embracing the sacred roles and responsibilities of manhood—especially through the Priesthood—builds a firm foundation not only for individual growth but for marriages, families, communities, and ultimately, building Zion itself.
This calling is not one of domination, superiority, or worldly ambition. It is a call to lead as Christ leads: with compassion, strength, humility, and righteousness. It is about becoming protectors, providers, and presiders in the highest, holiest sense.
Masculinity Rooted in Priesthood
The Priesthood is an order, a scaffolding, to support men as they step into their role as fathers and kings of Israel, to help them on their path of ascension. “And the Lord confirmed a priesthood …throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God. And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84: 18-19) The Priesthood order teaches men to become inherently selfless. It does not exist to exalt the individual, but teaches them to do as the Savior did, by serving, protecting, and lifting others.
The Lord gave clear instructions regarding masculine responsibility in Doctrine and Covenants 107:99:
“Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.“
True masculinity is action-oriented, it is productive, and a state of doing. It is diligent. It involves learning, striving, and stepping into God-ordained duties with faith and courage.
Three Core Aspects of Divine Masculinity:
- Presiding with Christlike Leadership
- Providing Temporal and Spiritual Security
- Protecting Loved Ones Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually
Let’s explore how these principles can be lived powerfully within marriage and family life.
Presiding with Christlike Leadership
In the Family Proclamation, we read:
“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness.“
Presiding does not mean ruling with an iron fist. It means leading as Christ does: through love, service, teaching, and example. Christ presides over the Church by sacrificing Himself for it, loving it perfectly, correcting it when needed, and nurturing its growth. Likewise, a man stepping into his divine masculinity presides over his home by modeling righteousness, initiating faith-promoting activities such as prayer, scripture study, or family councils, addressing conflict with patience and humility, and setting the spiritual tone.
Ideas to Implement Christlike Leadership:
- Be the first to pray. Initiate couple or family prayers without waiting for your spouse to remind you.
- Lead family councils. Plan weekly or monthly meetings where the family discusses goals, resolves conflicts, and shares testimonies. Iniate additional councils when you see the need for specific things to be addressed.
- Set spiritual goals. Invite your spouse and children to join you in setting and achieving spiritual milestones, like reading the Book of Mormon together, or attending the temple regularly.
Elder Boyd K. Packer emphasized, “When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He [the Savior] would do if He were present.“
One way to self-assess your progress is to ask yourself daily: If Christ were here, how would He lead my family today?
Providing Temporal and Spiritual Security
Providing for one’s family is a divine charge. 1 Timothy 5:8 teaches:
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith.“
While society may minimize or distort the role of a provider, in God’s kingdom, it remains a sacred responsibility. Providing means more than earning a paycheck—it includes ensuring emotional, mental, and spiritual stability.
Ideas to Implement Providership:
- Be diligent in your work. Whatever your occupation, do it with excellence and integrity, knowing that your work provides stability for your family.
- Invest in your emotional availability. Provide safety by being emotionally present. Play with your children. Ask your spouse about her day, and respond to those around you with empathy.
- Feed your family spiritually. Don’t rely solely on Church programs to spiritually educate your children. Hold regular home devotionals, bear testimony often, and bless your home environment.
President Howard W. Hunter gave this beautiful admonition:
“A righteous husband and father will make every effort to give his wife and children security by being loyal to them, by being true to his covenants, by being diligent in his priesthood duties, and by being honest in all his dealings.“
Your wife and children will feel safer, more cherished, and more confident when they know you are spiritually grounded and temporally committed.
Protecting Loved Ones Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually
A core aspect of divine masculinity is protection. In Moses 5, Adam is commanded to teach and protect his family spiritually after being driven out of the Garden. Men today are also called to protect.
This means being vigilant against physical danger—but even more critically, against spiritual decay. Satan attacks marriages and families with distractions, doubts, and distortions. A righteous man watches over his home like a shepherd over his flock.
Ideas to Implement Protection:
- Guard your home from destructive media. Set standards about what is viewed, read, and listened to in your home. Be aware of what shows, books, and music are interesting your family members currently, and determine if these are positive influences.
- Spiritually fortify your marriage. Pray with your spouse, fast for your marriage, and discuss your covenants together. Take time to go on dates or getaways to build connection away from the chaos of modern life.
- Be a physical protector. Make sure your home is a physically safe place, and that your strength is used for gentleness, not intimidation.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
“We need men who can call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen their families.“
Masculinity is protective. Your prayers, blessings, ordinances, and leadership fortify your home against the storms of the adversary.
How Embracing Divine Masculinity Blesses Lives
When a man steps into divine masculinity, it transforms his marriage and family:
- His wife feels cherished, respected, and secure. She can grow fully into her divine identity without fear or unnecessary burdens.
- His children feel anchored. They learn who God is by watching their father’s love and discipline.
- He, himself, feels more confident and fulfilled. Instead of chasing fleeting worldly accolades, he finds joy in eternal service and relationships.
- The Church is strengthened. Strong priesthood holders mean strong wards, stakes, and Zion itself.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expressed: “In this Church, there are no soloists. We are all a choir, and we need every voice in it.“
Your masculine voice is needed—firm, faithful, and full of holy love.
A Call to Courage
Stepping into divine masculinity requires courage. It requires swimming against the tides of cultural confusion. It requires overcoming personal weakness, fear, and apathy.
But it is worth it. Every righteous action you take echoes through eternity.
In Doctrine and Covenants 121:36, we are reminded:
“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.“
Heaven stands ready to bless and sustain every man who honors his divine masculine role. You are not left to figure it out alone. The Savior—our perfect example of godly manhood—walks beside you.
May we be men who stand tall, love fiercely, lead humbly, provide diligently, and protect zealously.
The world needs strong, Christlike men.
The Church needs strong, Christlike men.
Your wife, your children, your posterity—they need you.
Step forward. The Lord is calling.
References & Additional Resources
- Doctrine and Covenants 84: 18-19
- Doctrine and Covenants 107:99
- ‘The Family Proclamation’
- “The Power of the Priesthood,” Boyd K. Packer, April 2010
- 1 Timothy 5:8
- “Being a Righteous Husband and Father,” Howard W. Hunter, October 1994
- “A Plea to My Sisters,” Russell M. Nelson, October 2015
- “Songs Sung and Unsung,” Jeffrey R. Holland, 2017
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