Hi, I’m Teri. I was raised in Provo and married under the covenant at age 18. Today I am a mother of 3 residing in Utah and tending my garden when I’m not working as a project manager.
When Dr. Kristy Money shared her temple recommend had been revoked, the light came on for me. I’ve thought about joining Ordain Women as an ally for years. But this was the the catalyst—the defining moment. I have not been an active member of the LDS Church for three decades, though I maintain an interest in church culture and history. And I grew up in a Mormon community and like every person I know who is of handcart pioneer heritage, I cherish that unique and noble ancestry.
When someone like me steps outside of church boundaries, we don’t abandon or values or morals. But we do gain a perspective that is informed by years of enculturation and moderated by distance. From this position, I see that women like Kristy and Kate—and many, many others, have tried to use their spirituality, their love and their intelligence to bring about some very necessary changes in the Church’s relationship with its female members.
Just recently, a new role for women in conducting Sacrament Meeting was introduced and welcomed by everyone. But Church leadership is not giving women in the Church the attention they need and deserve. There’s no need to repeat the arguments that support gender equality in every aspect of life. They operate no differently within the Church. I strongly believe that women should—and will—be ordained.