I have 5 brothers who are all much younger than I am, and all but one are of age and have the priesthood. I can honestly say that I am proud of them for that choice to have the priesthood and that they can exercise those sacred gifts offered and bestowed to them by a loving Father in Heaven. I feel that having the priesthood is a sacred privilege and it should be exercised by those that are worthy to use it when necessary.
I have been reading lately about the Ordain Women movement seizing the hearts of many members. These are members who want change, hoping that the church will allow women to have the priesthood. When I first heard about this, I was visiting teaching and the women seemed less than pleased with the news of females hoping for the ordination. I am a critical thinker and yes, I thought for a moment about the prospect. I am one who is a convert with an up and down past in the church. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have not always been a saint and I never proclaim to be.
However, our church is not for saints, it is for sinners who want to become perfect, like our Savior. Anyways, I did some research online about Kate Kelly, the founder of the movement of Ordain Women. She is an educated, driven young woman with crisp dark hair and porcelain features that hide behind a pair of thick rimmed glasses. She is someone that I could see myself looking up to and admiring. Women, especially educated, opinionated women generally like other well educated, opinionated women and in this changing era, they are becoming more and more alpha and demanding of equality to the max. I know that some people see Kate as a character who is doing all to ignite change and someone who could be easily compared to Rosa Parks and her courage to stand up in the face of segregation by people pushing for the ordaining of women.
I sat back and pondered about this movement for a couple of days and read through the OrdainWomen.Org site and read testimonials of women who now feel empowered by Kate's movement and 'courage'. I was a little surprised to see that the people following her movement are your typical Mormons who do seem to have strong testimonies, love the gospel, the church and its members. Their basis aren't completely unfounded and many of the women are looking for deeper fellowship along with more responsibilities in the church.
However, despite my admiration for their courage, I also had the strong feeling that this development was just not right. It was an eerie feeling that told me that Satan joys in skewing the truth and tweeking it just right so that it seems like it is a harmless endeavor. Ordain Women or namely Kate Kelly has hung on to specific things from the past that give her and others hope that giving the priesthood authority to females could become a huge and possible reality.
Ordain Women joins a new generation of faithful Mormon women who are rising up and responding to this challenge.
This is a quote taken directly from the Ordain Women website. While I am thankful for the ordinance of black males being able to have the priesthood in the church and the segregation of that being put to rest, I still do not feel in my heart of hearts that it would do our church good to have women take a leap into a new ordinance. This is my opinion and my opinion only, however, I have pondered upon what would happen if this were to be the case. That means that when young women were of the age of 12, they would also be expected have the priesthood. They would have the same fundamental rights as the males their age have.
I have a 10 year old daughter who I can see now feeling confused and I can almost bet you money, she wouldn't want it. Not because she doesn't believe in the gospel, not because she doesn't want to believe in what her Father in Heaven wants, but because it would not feel right. I think I can easily say that there would be many women that would not want it and it has nothing to do with a wavering testimony. Another quote from the Ordain Women website states:
One word that stands out to me the most is satisfaction in this quote. This quote basically states that they are aware that women already have many responsibilities and that the church won't change drastically but that the satisfaction of having the new responsibility is paramount to the movement. I can tell you right now that most of the women who would be given these new set of responsibilities would feel confusion, not satisfaction. Not all women have the same mindset as Kate Kelly and company.
The reason why I do not follow the Ordain Women movement has nothing to do with me succumbing to male dominance or bowing my head as a pregnant and barefoot Mormon wife. It has everything to do with trust and faith. I trust that the leaders of our church will guide us to the right direction no matter what. I believe they are ordained by god to help lead this people in these latter days. I have faith that they will not lead me astray and I know that if the Prophet ever has divine revelation that women should be ordained, I know it is from the hand of God.
I know that Kate Kelly and company have felt ousted by male church authorities, especially while "politely" protesting at this years Priesthood Session saying they felt left out in the cold. I do not sympathize, only because we know and understand that this is how the church is right now and in questioning why they do things, we are essentially questioning God. I know he has his own due time for everything. Sometimes this life is not the time, sometimes later on down the road is the time, no one knows and it is best to just trust and have faith but also be peaceable.
I also feel as hard as it is to explain this, that men were meant to have the priesthood for many reasons and there is nothing wrong with men having distinctly different roles than women. It doesn't make a woman weak to not want the priesthood, it doesn't make her 'stuck in her ways' or a bigot. I know many educated women who work hard with their hands, make lots of money but are also loving, nurturing mothers. This doesn't mean that they want the added responsibility of the priesthood. Having the priesthood will not make women more respected in my opinion.
I enjoy my husband having the responsibility because I believe that this helps him to have empathy and it helps him to step outside of the 'man' box. Women are known to be already in tune, empathetic, nurturing, kind hearted and emotional. Men have to work on some of these qualities at times. I think that my husband having the priesthood helps him to be a better man. Not only that, I believe that it helps me to cling to him more. If I had the priesthood would my husband cling to me more? No, he would not. He clings to me because I encourage him. I am his cheerleader, I am what helps him to find reason, I am his coach. I am just as much apart of 'the game' as the player, but just in a different capacity. I am the supporter and the one who helps him to make the best plays.
Women, please know that you are so important in every capacity in the church. You are the coach and cheerleader for your husband. You do not need the priesthood to be a more productive member. I truly believe that behind every good man is a good woman. It is not that you are literally behind or below him, but you are his drive. In fact, I read recently an article from Dr. Laura that states: "Women have more power in a marriage because men are very dependent on feminine approval... By contrast, women get their approval from their mothers, sisters, and girlfriends. Men are much more emotionally reliant on women than women on men."
I am not slamming the Ordain Women movement, but I am saying that it isn't right, right now if you get my drift. It is against what the plans for our church are at this point. I believe that if we question doctrine as it is right now, we are not questioning the male patriarchy of the church but we are questioning God's plan as he wants it for the time being. I see that doing this is like a cancer to your own testimony and faith in our leadership and moreover our Father in Heaven if you take part. I am thankful for the way the church works and as simple as just having faith is, we need to be like a little child, meek and submissive to understand the workings of our all knowing Father in Heaven.
-Jennifer
I have been reading lately about the Ordain Women movement seizing the hearts of many members. These are members who want change, hoping that the church will allow women to have the priesthood. When I first heard about this, I was visiting teaching and the women seemed less than pleased with the news of females hoping for the ordination. I am a critical thinker and yes, I thought for a moment about the prospect. I am one who is a convert with an up and down past in the church. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have not always been a saint and I never proclaim to be.
However, our church is not for saints, it is for sinners who want to become perfect, like our Savior. Anyways, I did some research online about Kate Kelly, the founder of the movement of Ordain Women. She is an educated, driven young woman with crisp dark hair and porcelain features that hide behind a pair of thick rimmed glasses. She is someone that I could see myself looking up to and admiring. Women, especially educated, opinionated women generally like other well educated, opinionated women and in this changing era, they are becoming more and more alpha and demanding of equality to the max. I know that some people see Kate as a character who is doing all to ignite change and someone who could be easily compared to Rosa Parks and her courage to stand up in the face of segregation by people pushing for the ordaining of women.
I sat back and pondered about this movement for a couple of days and read through the OrdainWomen.Org site and read testimonials of women who now feel empowered by Kate's movement and 'courage'. I was a little surprised to see that the people following her movement are your typical Mormons who do seem to have strong testimonies, love the gospel, the church and its members. Their basis aren't completely unfounded and many of the women are looking for deeper fellowship along with more responsibilities in the church.
However, despite my admiration for their courage, I also had the strong feeling that this development was just not right. It was an eerie feeling that told me that Satan joys in skewing the truth and tweeking it just right so that it seems like it is a harmless endeavor. Ordain Women or namely Kate Kelly has hung on to specific things from the past that give her and others hope that giving the priesthood authority to females could become a huge and possible reality.
In questioning Church policies, aren’t you questioning God?
No. In fact, the challenge to advocate for women’s ordination was articulated by former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in a 1997 interview with reporter David Ransom. When Ransom asked if the policy on denying priesthood to women could be changed, much like it had for black men, President Hinckley responded, “Yes. But there’s no agitation for that.”Ordain Women joins a new generation of faithful Mormon women who are rising up and responding to this challenge.
This is a quote taken directly from the Ordain Women website. While I am thankful for the ordinance of black males being able to have the priesthood in the church and the segregation of that being put to rest, I still do not feel in my heart of hearts that it would do our church good to have women take a leap into a new ordinance. This is my opinion and my opinion only, however, I have pondered upon what would happen if this were to be the case. That means that when young women were of the age of 12, they would also be expected have the priesthood. They would have the same fundamental rights as the males their age have.
I have a 10 year old daughter who I can see now feeling confused and I can almost bet you money, she wouldn't want it. Not because she doesn't believe in the gospel, not because she doesn't want to believe in what her Father in Heaven wants, but because it would not feel right. I think I can easily say that there would be many women that would not want it and it has nothing to do with a wavering testimony. Another quote from the Ordain Women website states:
Do most Mormon women want the time commitment and responsibility of ordination?
Mormon women already give countless hours of essential service and have many delegated responsibilities in the Church. As the burden of leadership roles in the church rotates among lay members, the time commitment of most women will not likely change with ordination. However, we believe the satisfaction women experience in service would be enhanced, if they had the institutional authority to define and oversee their responsibilities, and the power of God with them to carry out their sacred duties.One word that stands out to me the most is satisfaction in this quote. This quote basically states that they are aware that women already have many responsibilities and that the church won't change drastically but that the satisfaction of having the new responsibility is paramount to the movement. I can tell you right now that most of the women who would be given these new set of responsibilities would feel confusion, not satisfaction. Not all women have the same mindset as Kate Kelly and company.
The reason why I do not follow the Ordain Women movement has nothing to do with me succumbing to male dominance or bowing my head as a pregnant and barefoot Mormon wife. It has everything to do with trust and faith. I trust that the leaders of our church will guide us to the right direction no matter what. I believe they are ordained by god to help lead this people in these latter days. I have faith that they will not lead me astray and I know that if the Prophet ever has divine revelation that women should be ordained, I know it is from the hand of God.
I know that Kate Kelly and company have felt ousted by male church authorities, especially while "politely" protesting at this years Priesthood Session saying they felt left out in the cold. I do not sympathize, only because we know and understand that this is how the church is right now and in questioning why they do things, we are essentially questioning God. I know he has his own due time for everything. Sometimes this life is not the time, sometimes later on down the road is the time, no one knows and it is best to just trust and have faith but also be peaceable.
I also feel as hard as it is to explain this, that men were meant to have the priesthood for many reasons and there is nothing wrong with men having distinctly different roles than women. It doesn't make a woman weak to not want the priesthood, it doesn't make her 'stuck in her ways' or a bigot. I know many educated women who work hard with their hands, make lots of money but are also loving, nurturing mothers. This doesn't mean that they want the added responsibility of the priesthood. Having the priesthood will not make women more respected in my opinion.
I enjoy my husband having the responsibility because I believe that this helps him to have empathy and it helps him to step outside of the 'man' box. Women are known to be already in tune, empathetic, nurturing, kind hearted and emotional. Men have to work on some of these qualities at times. I think that my husband having the priesthood helps him to be a better man. Not only that, I believe that it helps me to cling to him more. If I had the priesthood would my husband cling to me more? No, he would not. He clings to me because I encourage him. I am his cheerleader, I am what helps him to find reason, I am his coach. I am just as much apart of 'the game' as the player, but just in a different capacity. I am the supporter and the one who helps him to make the best plays.
Women, please know that you are so important in every capacity in the church. You are the coach and cheerleader for your husband. You do not need the priesthood to be a more productive member. I truly believe that behind every good man is a good woman. It is not that you are literally behind or below him, but you are his drive. In fact, I read recently an article from Dr. Laura that states: "Women have more power in a marriage because men are very dependent on feminine approval... By contrast, women get their approval from their mothers, sisters, and girlfriends. Men are much more emotionally reliant on women than women on men."
I am not slamming the Ordain Women movement, but I am saying that it isn't right, right now if you get my drift. It is against what the plans for our church are at this point. I believe that if we question doctrine as it is right now, we are not questioning the male patriarchy of the church but we are questioning God's plan as he wants it for the time being. I see that doing this is like a cancer to your own testimony and faith in our leadership and moreover our Father in Heaven if you take part. I am thankful for the way the church works and as simple as just having faith is, we need to be like a little child, meek and submissive to understand the workings of our all knowing Father in Heaven.
-Jennifer
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