I’m a Mormon. I’m a wife. I’m a daughter. I’m an aunt. I’m an international human rights lawyer. I’m a returned missionary and BYU grad. And…I think Mormon women should have the priesthood.
About Me:
I grew up in Oregon and was baptized when I turned 8 years old. Growing up in Oregon I was one of very few Mormons at my school, and I always felt that being Mormon was something really special about me. I went to college at BYU and served a mission in Barcelona, Spain. I met my husband at BYU and we were married in the Salt Lake City Temple. I recently graduated from law school and now work as an attorney with human rights defenders around the world.
Why I am a Mormon:
Mormonism is the house I live in. In a song called “The House I Live In,” civil rights leader and singer, Paul Robeson describes what America is to him: “The house I live in, the goodness everywhere, A land of wealth and beauty with enough for all to share…” Mormonism is the house I live in. My childhood aspirations. The way I learned charity. My marriage, and the people I cherish most. My connection to God. My mission. My language, and the way I see the world. Mormonism is the house I live in.
How I live my faith:
I am an active member of the church. I am currently serving as Relief Society chorister (even though I have no clue how to lead music), because I believe in the value of service and the power of God to make us more than we are on our own. I learned of this power in a very unique and powerful way on my mission. As I taught other people about my beliefs, I learned from them and learned the value of authenticity. The way I live my faith is to try to be my authentic self as much as I am able, and to pray with my work and efforts that God will be able to use me to serve others.
Why I think Mormon women should have the priesthood:
I think that we should be ordained because I have felt the power of the priesthood in my life. Others who give their lives to godly service and channel the power of God to bless others inspire me. To me, agitating on this issue is a question of self-respect. I respect and value the church and myself too much to be silent on this question. I truly believe that God wants us all to equally share the burdens and blessings of the priesthood. The ordination of women would put us on equal spiritual footing with our brethren, and nothing less will suffice.