Recently at General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there was a protest. It was not the first time the group calling themselves "Ordain Women" had protested and it likely won't be the last. One of the leaders of this movement, Kate Kelly, was excommunicated this June (2014). This will probably only incite more protests.
I have mostly avoided writing on this topic because I have a feeling that these women don't want to hear what a man has to say on this issue. The fact of the matter is that in the Church men are more friendly to the idea of ordaining women than most women are. I don't think the Lord is going to change the operation of his church to ordain women. It may happen and I'm OK with that, but I would not hold my breath.
In the Church there are many opportunities to serve. Some of them require priesthood offices or keys but most do not. Some require a female touch and can't be done by a priesthood holder. Actually about half the callings are that way. There are no auxiliaries for women or girls in the church that are presided over by men. The Primary, which includes boys, is presided over by women in every congregation in the church and in the church as a whole. The priesthood quorums are presided over by men because they are composed of men and boys. There are a few examples of men presiding over both genders, such as Bishops and Sunday School Presidents. I will stop the litany of callings at this time except to say that most other callings in the Church are available to be held by either gender.
I think there are many reasons why individuals in the world think it is important to ordain women. In the history of the Christian churches throughout the world and throughout time priests have used and abused their positions to get gain or power over others. In our religion this is referred to as a sin called Priestcraft. The scriptures tell us that "no power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood..." (see Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-46). The priesthood in our church is NOT a sign of higher status, but is a service opportunity.
Another pressure point has to do with the history of court decisions. In the US the supreme court has said the separate is inherently not equal. The idea is that if you can't have equal things you can't be equal. There is no such thing as equality in this mortal existence. Miss Kate Kelly is an attorney, so I can see where she was blind to this fact. Often attorneys get confused on this because their whole profession is based on taking people who are unequal and making things equal. They don't realize there is no way to make everyone perfectly equal in this life. All people are equal before God, who is the only true source of justice. This doesn't mean they are equal in things. The more we try to make people equal the less equal they tend to be.
The thing that "Ordain Women" misses the most is that women are treated better in our church than in most churches or organizations in the world. They think they want equality, but they already have the closest they can get. Priesthood would be a step downward and we don't want to do that to the women we love.
The Founders got it wrong, and a lot of people buy into that. All are not created equal. Abraham 3:19. As in the Spirit, as also in the flesh. This is what (I believe) drives all of this stuff. But the scriptures are replete with example after example of the inequality of people and outcomes. How anyone can argue that someone born handicapped, and a world class athlete were born equal has always puzzled me. But hey-go down that road if you want to. You want to say they both have value to God? Absolutely. You want to say they are equal? Not a chance. God is not a respecter to persons? Correct. That still doesn't make the persons equal.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I have also been reading the news on this subject for the past couple of years. It makes me sad. I generally don't comment for fear of the backlash but I think I'm safe here! I have never felt less than or not as important in my service in the church. I've always felt like my voice/opinion was heard and listened to and even followed sometimes. As a missionary I served in leadership capacities, as RS Pres in my singles ward I served in a leadership capacity, right now, I pretty much run the Activity Days program for girls 8-11 on my own, under the direction of the Primary President.....I could go on. I've never felt like I needed to be exactly the same as a man in order for us to be on equal standing in the Lord's eyes. In my view, women put themselves down when they insist on trying to become men - it's like they are saying, "We're not good enough as we are, we need to be you." Dan has served as the Bishop of our ward for one year now and I can honestly say, I would NEVER want the "opportunity" to serve in that capacity!!! And I also don't feel that the attributes and talents the Lord has blessed me with (and most women in general) would compliment that office, while those Dan has been given do:) The Lord is perfect and His church is perfect and that won't change no matter what anyone's opinion is!:) ps I'm Dan Lewis's wife
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