Why Do Men and Women Need Each Other?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 1 Corinthians 8-13 in a lesson titled “Ye Are the Body of Christ.” The lesson was preceded by the following statement: “As you prayerfully read 1 Corinthians 8-13, the Holy Ghost may speak to you in subtle ways (see 1 Kings 19:11-12). Recording these impressions will help you recall the feelings and thoughts you had during your study.” The lesson was introduced in the following material. 

In Paul’s time, Corinth was a wealthy trade center with residents from all over the Roman Empire. With so many different cultures and religions in the city, Church members in Corinth struggled to maintain unity, so Paul sought to help them find unity in their belief in Christ. This unity was to be more than just peaceful coexistence; Paul wasn’t asking them merely to tolerate each other’s differences. Rather, he taught that when you join the Church of Jesus Christ, you are “baptized into one body,” and every body part is needed (1 Corinthians 12:13). When one member is lost, it’s like losing a limb, and the body is weaker as a result. When one member suffers, we should all feel it and do our part to relieve it. In this kind of unity, differences are not just acknowledged but cherished, because without members of diverse gifts and abilities, the body would be limited. So whether you feel like you’ve always been at home in the Church or find yourself wondering if you truly belong, Paul’s message to you is that unity is not sameness. You need your fellow Saints, and your fellow Saints need you.

The scripture block for this lesson contains several principles. The principle that I feel impressed to discussed comes from 1 Corinthians 11:11: “In God’s plan, men and women need each other.”

The Apostle Paul taught: “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” This principle is directly opposed to many of the ideas and practices of our society.

We learn from the book of Genesis that God created man --- male and female – in His image and after His likeness (1:26-27). Genesis also tells us that God created Eve as a helpmeet for Adam (2:20-22). An online dictionary defines helpmeet as “a helpful companion or partner,” so being a helpmeet applies to both man and woman. Verse 24 tells us that man should leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Elder David A. Bednar taught, “The man and the woman are intended to learn from, strengthen, bless, and complete each other” (“We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 42). A couple who knows this truth has an advantage because they will understand that they should counsel together about their decisions. Each has talents and gifts that will enhance the marriage relationship and the family. By working together, they can bless their marriage and family with the best knowledge and skills.

A simple example from my own marriage is that my husband is better with numbers, and I am better with words. I typed and proofread all the written work, but I did not fully understand his skill until we purchased our second home. We were going through all the paperwork and loan contract. I had looked at the paper with all the numbers – the amount of money borrowed, interest rate, total amount to be repaid, etc. I did not see anything wrong with it. My husband had barely looked at the paper when he asked, “Is this number supposed to be the same as this number, or are they two different numbers?” As it turned out, there was a typing error, but I had not even noticed it.

Another thing that works for us is separating duties. I prepare all the meals so grocery shopping falls in my “department,” meaning that I have more experience in this category. On the other hand, a question about the vehicles falls into my husband’s “department,” meaning that he has the expertise to make better decisions than I do.

Children need both a father and a mother because each gives them something different. Mothers tend to help children get along with other people, while fathers tend to prepare children for succeeding in the world. This means that fathers and mothers should counsel together in how to teach and help their children.