I’m a husband and father of two daughters and three sons. I’m an active, lifelong, temple recommend-holding member of the Church. I’m a pianist and singer who also happens to be a nursing student. I’m the choir pianist and was recently in the Elder’s Quorum presidency. I also teach each month to the entire priesthood.
I am submitting this profile for the benefit my daughters. I don’t want her to be crushed when she grows up and finds out that her Church community says she can’t give blessings. I want my daughters to have the same encouragement, expectation and opportunities to be seekers of further light, truth, and knowledge that I was expected to be responsible for, growing up as a male. Because I could have the priesthood, I was admonished to study the oath and covenant and seek the gifts. I want that for my daughters.
In February 2012, during the Romney presidential campaign, the Church put out a public statement clarifying perceptions on the temple and priesthood ban. The statement was in the context only of the priesthood. Interestingly, the Church used 2nd Nephi 26:33 where it says “all are alike unto God,” to demonstrate that the Church was not discriminatory. If the church publicly uses that verse in context of priesthood, then the rest of the verse should apply. “And 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.” The Church also said, later in the same press release, “The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.” I believe they should apply this to women and the priesthood as well.
Considering all the above, I believe women should be ordained.