But what did it mean for Adam to preside? How did he fulfill his specific role in the family? To preside means to “be in a position of authority in a meeting or gathering” or, in this case, a family. What gave Adam authority in the family was that he held the priesthood, meaning he was conferred the priesthood and ordained to priesthood office by God “in the creation” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157). Although women are given priesthood authority in their Church callings and endowed to priesthood power in the temple, only men are called by God to hold the priesthood by holding priesthood office (see President Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign May 2014). Apparently, one reason why men like Adam are given the priesthood is so that they can bring that authority into their home and use it to govern their family with their wife.
But this order is otherwise described in modern revelation as an order of family government where a man and woman enter into a [marriage] covenant with God—just as did Adam and Eve—to be sealed for eternity, to have posterity, and to do the will and work of God throughout their mortality.
In this family government, wives do not serve as their husband’s “first counselor” in a lower position of hierarchy. Instead, she serves as his equal partner. President Dallin H. Oaks explained this concept when he taught the following about partnership: “A most important difference in the functioning of priesthood authority in the family and in the Church results from the fact that the government of the family is patriarchal, whereas the government of the Church is hierarchical. The concept of partnership functions differently in the family than in the Church” (Oaks, Ensign Nov. 2005).
Presiding in this case simply means that the father holds the priesthood in their joint leadership and equal partnership. Holding the priesthood does not make him more of a leader, but it does mean that it is through the authority that he holds that they can both lead and govern their family together.
For Adam, presiding with the priesthood meant using his priesthood to bless his family and bring them into the presence of God through saving ordinances.
“One immeasurable result of Doctrine and Covenants 107 is the way it gives meaning to men’s lives. Section 132 emphasizes the priesthood’s exalting power for women and men, but the particular power of section 107 gives ordinary, even inadequate men both duty and destiny that can motivate them to rise to far greater heights of service to God and family than they would if left to their natural inclinations. The revelation came at a time when American culture was beginning to erode fatherhood. Noting how the exalting priesthood principles of section 107 seemed to have a powerful influence on Joseph’s own father, historian Richard Bushman went so far as to say that ‘in restoring priesthood, Joseph restored fatherhood’”
This means that after the original revelation explained the role of presiding high priests, Bishops, Seventy, and Apostles, it culminated by teaching about priesthood fathers. In this inspired sequence the Lord was sending the message that the ultimate purpose for men holding the priesthood is not to serve as Bishops, stake presidents, or even General Authorities. The ultimate purpose is to serve as priesthood fathers and to use their priesthood to bless, serve, and save their families—just as our Heavenly Father does! In a world that often views fathers as unnecessary or obsolete, priesthood gives them a unique role and something irreplaceable to contribute. It gives them a divine and eternal purpose in the family.
Eve, as a mother, was primarily focused on the nurture of their children. And when it came time for baptism or confirmation, for blessing the sick or afflicted, for priesthood ordination or temple sealings, Adam alone was qualified to do this. He held the priesthood and was called to exercise it to serve and save his family. That is central to what it means to preside, and why priesthood is “the right belonging to the fathers” (Abr. 1:2).
The father is the patriarch of the family and has important responsibilities that are his alone. He is the priesthood holder and has the duties of priesthood leadership.”