ow

my response, in my head, to every person i have ever heard say something negative about ordain women:

i'm not a member of ordain women but i am completely supportive of them as a mormon and as a feminist. contrary to what you just said, i find that they, on average, actually know much, much more about church history and how the church functions than the average member. for example, women in the early church gave blessings and it can even be said that some were ordained by joseph smith. most members don't know this. most members also don't know that the women who asked for entrance into priesthood session on temple square last year were not protesting in any way--they were waiting quietly in line and doing as they were asked. i think they even sang hymns. the use of the word 'protest' by church pr is misleading and, frankly, slanderous. despite ow's respectful attitude, the church reps told them there were no seats available even though the broadcast from inside the conference center clearly showed there was enough room for them and then some. not only that, but they were not allowed to use overflow seating, and a garbage truck was moved in front of the entrance to the tabernacle where the group was waiting and the church reps took off. it sat there until the women left. telling someone to just leave the church is about the most unchristlike thing a member could say, and it directly conflicts with their covenants and with the professed missions of the church.

other thoughts:

- ow is not a utah issue. the founder and leader, kate kelly, is from washington d.c. and is from oregon. she is a human rights attorney, which means she knows exactly how to proceed publicly (which does not consistent protesting, sorry church pr) and let injustice hang itself by looking stupid.

- i am pretty much uninterested in raising a family with a man (speaking generally) who sees his priesthood or career as equally (or more) important to raising his family. men don't get to help conceive children and then figuratively peace out because priesthood equals motherhood (which it doesn't).

-so many reasons why phood and mhood aren't equivalent that i'll spare you from reading.

- i think these women are not demonstrating a lack of faith in god, but rather a lot of faith. i don't believe god waited until 1978 to ordain black men to the priesthood to try the faith of those black members, but rather because the larger white majority of the church "wasn't ready" for such a "big change". white members still talk today about what a "difficult change" that was and hold racist views. my MIL has said that since handicapped children were extremely loyal in the premortal world, and there is an opposition in all things, it only makes sense that there was an extremely disloyal group: blacks. (what about black handicapped children?) these views held the church back, and activists who speak from personal experience are not wicked. the deft dismissal of all conversation or open mindedness on the issue of women's ordination leads me to believe it's very the same.

- "women already hold the priesthood (through their husbands) (based on the temple) (blah), even though they aren't ordained". great, so why can't we even go to priesthood session?

- it is said that all faithful members will receive every blessing they desire (see here emma smith). no one has satisfactorily explained to me yet how desiring to have a greater ability to serve and bring god's love to his children does not fall in that category.

-please note that the prophet himself has not spoken out on this topic. this is both saddening and encouraging/telling. everyone learns in primary that the prophet is the mouthpiece of the lord, not the church pr lady. frankly, she can spew whatever she wants and it means nothing to me. in addition, president uchtdorf, who is in the first presidency, essentially welcomed feminists last conference to stay in the church because they are needed.

-women praying in conference and the broadcast of the priesthood session did not take place before women were pressing the issues, so i don't appreciate people saying, 'just watch it on tv at home!!!!111!!1 why do you need to go to the conference center???/? you are arguing for something that's already fixed." it was either a really unfortunate or really low move for the church to decide to broadcast priesthood session 'right in the nick of time.'

- again, why are people upset about a request to provide greater service within the church?