18.5 Prayers in Church Meetings
Men and women may offer both opening and closing prayers in Church meetings.

Prayers should be brief, simple, and spoken as directed by the Spirit. All members are encouraged to respond with an audible amen at the end of a prayer.

Members should express respect for Heavenly Father by using the special language of prayer that is appropriate for the language they are speaking. The language of prayer has different forms in different languages. In some languages, the intimate or familiar words are used only in addressing family and very close friends. Other languages have forms of address that express great respect. The principle, however, is the same: members should pray in words that speakers of the language associate with love, respect, reverence, and closeness. In English, for example, members should use the pronouns Thee, Thy, Thine, and Thou when addressing Heavenly Father.

Members of the bishopric should avoid the pattern of having a husband and wife pray in the same meeting. Such a pattern might convey an unintentional message of exclusion to those who are single. Members who are not often called upon should be included among those who are invited to pray. As needed, a member of the bishopric may caution those who pray not to sermonize or pray at great length.

The person who offers a prayer should not be asked to read a scripture aloud before the prayer.

Reason for priesthood holder? Simple You cna’t bless and pass the SACRAMENT without at least a priest. If you cannot have the sacrament, then it is not a sacrament meeting.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=444c66dfc311c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

The Prayer Thing: Why Women Aren’t Worthy to Open Meetings

Wow, how I wish we could get rid of this dumb little artifact.

All I’ve said is this:

There are two possibilities:

1. Maybe the bishop has a valid reason to want a Priesthood holder to open the meeting.

2. On the other hand, maybe he just thinks he’s supposed to do it that way–in other words, maybe he’s slightly misinformed about the rules and procedures he’s supposed to follow and is making the kind of mistake that is typical of human beings (which, as far as I know, all bishops are).

I think both are possible. I don’t see why you think the first option isn’t. You can’t think of what the reason might be; that doesn’t mean there can’t be one.

I have heard the term snit used in reference to children, not adults.

If it was inspiration they would know ahead of time if the person was allowed to offer a prayer or not.

I don’t think I understand you. We’re talking about a bishop deciding that a Priesthood holder should or should not be the one to offer the opening prayers in a particular ward during a particular period of time. What does it have to do with knowing ahead of time?

I am not getting in a snit.

If you’d like to argue about that, then I suggest you find someone who has said you are getting in a snit.

And honestly, what a thing to say. I have never heard of a man accused of getting into a snit, only a woman.

I have heard it used with regard to both sexes. However, I can’t see what relevance that has to this discussion, because I know of no instance of anyone ever accusing you of getting in a snit.

I am not getting in a snit. And honestly, what a thing to say. I have never heard of a man accused of getting into a snit, only a woman.