Ok there are six million other things I should be doing
right now but I have been pondering on this subject for some time and I have to
write it all out before my brain explodes!
My thoughts on Ordain Women and other feminist movements
with in the church:
1.
I wish people would stop hurting one another! I
don’t care if you agree or not can we all just please have a kind discourse
about this issue! Telling others they are stupid for what they believe, calling
them the anti-Christ, telling them to leave the church is only tearing us
apart! Pres. Utchdorf said in his amazing talk last conference: “I plead with all who hear or read these
words: Come, join with us. Come heed the call of the gentle Christ. Take up
your cross and follow Him.12”
We of all people should never tell people just to “go away”.
We need all of our brothers and sisters to come join with us! (PS, read that
whole talk, it’s amazing). When reading the scriptures I’ve noticed how amazing
it is that Christ is ALWAYS telling us to come unto Him and that He will turn
away none who want to come to Him! We need to follow his example and open our
hearts to all despite differences in opinions! So please can we stop getting so
angry at each other and name calling? If we take time to truly LISTEN to one
another we will truly LEARN.
2.
Please, let’s validate each other’s feelings
instead of sweeping them aside. This is for both sides. Women who feel they want
the priesthood need to be understood, and we need to listen to what they have
to say and why they feel that way. I feel like as I’ve tried to approach the
subject with an open mind, I have learned tons! And I am actually so grateful
for them because even if I don’t see eye to eye in everything, they are helping
us think harder about equality, about the culture of the church and what may be
wrong with it. I’m so happy women are now praying in conference! I’m ecstatic
about the changes made in missions to allow women more leadership positions! If
we actually listen to how these and all women feel, we can learn so much on how
to better our world, culture, church, whatever. On the other hand, women who
don’t feel the same need to be understood as well. Women,
like myself, who “feel equal” don’t need to be told that their feelings are invalid.
To say that equality is not a feeling, makes all of us who do feel equal feel
like we are being brushed aside into a box of “you’re not intelligent enough to
know if you are equal or not so just be quiet.” Yeah. Ouch. Even if it is not
intended that way, which I’m sure it’s not, that is how it feels. So on both
sides, we need to put down our defensiveness and really listen and consider the
other’s point of view rather than rolling your eyes or brushing thoughts and
feelings aside.
3.
Should women be ordained or not? Well I still
haven’t figured that one out! From my understanding of the gospel now, I feel
like the answer is no. But God is much much bigger than me and understands so
much more than I do. And I TRUST HIM. If tomorrow President Monson comes out
and says “OKAY! Let’s ordain the women!” I will trust. Some may say “Oh that
will never happen” but I’m sure Nephi probably never dreamed he’d be asked to
kill a man in cold blood. If it never happens that women are ordained I will
trust. I trust God. I know that his idea of equality may look different than
ours. Because even though we think we are smart stuff sometimes our brains are
finite and we can’t always understand everything he does. I know that the men
he has called to be his prophets and apostles are not perfect but are called of
him, and I trust that they are praying, pondering and seeking revelation on the
topic. I trust God to speak through them. I trust that they are not chauvinist, but are men of God seeking to put aside any
cultural beliefs and focus on doctrine. If women are to be ordained, it will
happen. If not, it won’t. And I trust that.
4.
Let’s keep the discussion going. Let’s not stomp
out questioning and doubt by saying it is apostasy. I have learned more about
my role as a woman, my Heavenly Mother, the priesthood, and God Himself as I’ve
pondered and prayed about these questions and discussions. I am ever so
grateful for them. If we dismiss every different-than-the-mainstream-Mormon idea
that comes along we are missing so many learning opportunities. Our whole
religion started from a question. Please, let’s keep asking questions, keep thinking
deeply, keep our hearts and minds open to be led by the spirit, and most of all
keep loving one another and being kind despite our differences in beliefs!
