Today, top church leadership is composed of fifteen white men, fourteen of whom are Americans, and one is German. This composition is striking in its departure from the composition of God’s children upon the Earth.
If LDS Church leadership reflected the composition of God’s children, half would be women, and half would be men. One would be queer. Nine leaders would be from Asia, two from Africa, two from Europe, one from North America and one from South America.
The LDS Church proclaims that it is God’s one and only true church on the face of the Earth. The Book of Mormon says: “. . . he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” 2 Nephi 26:33.
Likewise, Paul proclaimed: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28.
These scriptures tell us that God is not sexist or racist. God does not prefer one nation over another. Rather, God loves all people equally. Thus, we would expect to see this equality among the top leadership of the LDS Church.
As a Church we have a long road to travel to reach equality. Many were disappoint in October 2015, when three positions were filled in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Many hoped that this would be an opportunity to create a more inclusive leadership. When all three newly called apostles were white, male Americans, many members around the world were disappointed.
In coming years, Church leaders should make diversity a priority. As the old leadership is replaced, new leaders should reflect a love for all of God’s children. The engrained bias in favor of white, male American’s must disappear. But, first and foremost, the ban against women’s ordination must come to an end, so that leadership can include the half of humanity, which is currently completely and totally barred from Church leadership.
Ready for Revelation
Mark Barnes, the author of this post, is on Ordain Women’s Executive Board