Inez Knight and Jennie Brimhall: Called to Preach
Nineteenth-century Latter-day Saints considered proselytizing missions to be the exclusive responsibility of male priesthood holders. This changed in 1898 when women were first called to serve full-time proselytizing missions, including the first single sister missionaries in the Church’s history. Inez Knight and Jennie Brimhall, who served in the British Mission, were the first two single women to be called by President Woodruff.
In the wake of Official Declaration I, the number of unmarried twenty-something women in the church began to grow. Calling women to missions was a pragmatic solution that served two purposes: first, engage young women eager to do vital work; and second, counter popular negative conceptions about the condition of Mormon women. Reports flowed in from local leaders and mission presidents describing how women helped potential converts overcome their misgivings and misperceptions about the treatment and status of Mormon women. Church leaders in California and England wrote to the First Presidency with requests that women be called as full-time missionaries.
During 1898, 29 women, including 5 single women, were set apart and issued certificates to serve in locations as diverse as Denver, Colorado and Apia, Samoa. The decision to begin calling women as full-time missionaries was controversial and during its first 25 years this policy was alternatively debated, derided, and praised. But it was hard to argue with results. Mission presidents quickly learned that the sisters were more than holding their own, commonly noting that “Lady missionaries are getting into homes where the Elders could not obtain access.”
By the mid-1920s, the radical decision of 1898 had become the next generation’s new norm.
In October 2015 Ordain Women Supporters created a living art display of these two inspirational sister missionaries just outside of temple square to both honor and represent the change in women’s roles throughout the history of the church. We look forward to more pioneering women being welcomed into new roles and responsibilities within the gospel.
Honoring our Past,
Envisioning our Future.
Cite: McBride, Matthew. “Do You Believe in Lady Missionaries?” Juvenile Instructor, June 5, 2014. http://juvenileinstructor.org/do-you-believe-lady-missionaries/
Mangum, Diana L. “The First Sister Missionaries,” Ensign, July 1980.
Photos from https://history.lds.org/article/inez-knight-missionary?lang=eng
October, 2015 “Honoring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future” Action FAQ
Why are you engaging in the October Ordain Women Art Action?
We are demonstrating our desire for both the blessings and the authority of the priesthood and asking LDS Church leaders to prayerfully consider the ordination of women. In joining together, we are punctuating our commitment to Mormonism and fervent hope for the extension of priesthood ordination to all worthy adult members of the LDS Church. We applaud recent church initiatives, including an emphasis on collaborative, gender-inclusive councils, greater encouragement for women to serve missions, and the opportunity for women to both pray and speak in general conference. Clearly church leaders are responding to the expressed desire of the women they serve for a more inclusive church.
What exactly is going to happen? What will you do?
At 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2015, Ordain Women supporters will create a number of living picture representations near Temple Square of scenes from LDS history. The scenes will highlight the diverse ways Mormon women have historically exercised their faith and participated in the Church, at times with access to institutionally-recognized authority presently associated with priesthood. Following the presentation of these depictions, action participants–including those featured in the depictions as well as all others who support women’s ordination—will proceed past Temple Square and the LDS Conference Center to City Creek Park. There, one by one, we will add keys symbolic of our desire for women to have full access to the blessings and authority of the priesthood to an on-going public art installation. The installation will be featured as part of the women in religion initiative at the Parliament of the World’s Religions conference in Salt Lake City, 15-19 October 2015, and will remain a permanent monument to the movement for women’s equality in religion.
Ordain Women engages in faith-affirming, religious action. How is this different from political action?
Our understanding of the gospel is that the heavens are yet open. As we obtain more light and knowledge, we expect Church policies to reflect that increased wisdom. The 9th Article of Faith states: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” We believe that the expansion of priesthood keys must come through the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. That church members play a role in this process is demonstrated throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, which includes many examples of revelations received after members approached the Prophet with questions and concerns. This pattern was established by Jesus, who said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). It is our faith in this process that compels us to action.
Is this a protest?
No. We are not protesters. We see our actions as faith affirming and will comport ourselves with the dignity that ought to accompany the desire for priesthood office.
Why are you advocating in public?
Mormon women are not ordained to the priesthood, which means they lack positional authority and the institutional power to influence church-wide policy. Public advocacy is one of the few options open to those of us who actively seek the ordination of women. In response to a question during a 1997 interview about whether the policy of denying women the priesthood could change, then President Gordon B. Hinckley said it could, but it would require revelation. The reporter probed, “So you’d have to get a revelation?” Hinckley responded, “Yes. But there’s no agitation for that. We don’t find it. Our women are happy. They’re satisfied.”
More recently, General Relief Society President Linda K. Burton repeated this assumption: “I don’t think women are after the authority. I think they’re after the blessings and are happy that they can access the blessings and power of the priesthood.” It is apparent that we need to express ourselves in a more public way—agitating faithfully—in order for our leaders to understand that we want both the blessings and the authority of the priesthood, and we are not content with being excluded. Increasingly, women are finding the courage to express their desire to participate fully with men in all aspects of church governance, service and sacred ordinances.
If I can’t attend, but want to be supportive, what can I do?
If you are unable to attend in person, you can participate by proxy. A key will be added on your behalf to the “Keys” public art installation during the inaugural ceremony. Let us know if you’d like your initials or your name written on the key. We hope to add hundreds of keys, so please submit your proxy key request using this form. You can also continue the conversation by discussing your thoughts about women’s ordination with friends, family and members of your local congregations; support us on your personal Facebook pages, blogs and Twitter accounts; and add your profile to ours at Ordainwomen.org.
Aren’t you asking for too much too soon?
Although Ordain Women was organized as a group in the spring of 2013, Mormon women have written and spoken about this issue for decades. From our perspective, our actions are not precipitous. Rather, they are a continuation of our years of collective service to the LDS Church. How long must women wait for our faith to reflect the equity we believe is fundamental to Mormon theology?
I’m afraid to participate with you. Do you anticipate disciplinary action?
We cannot predict the response of individual church leaders. Many of our local leaders have been loving and supportive. Others have not. We believe our actions are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the LDS Church. We have worked with the government of Salt Lake City to obtain the appropriate permits. Though our action is not a protest, we have applied for a “free speech” permit. The City of Salt Lake requires it of any large group gathering in public spaces, such as City Creek Park and the sidewalks near Temple Square. We recognize that there might be social or personal costs to participants. Only you can weigh your circumstances and concerns and decide if this is the right thing for you to do.
Honoring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future
Reflecting this year’s OW theme, “Honoring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future,” our direct action will take the form of a public art project and an on-going art installation. Immediately after the Saturday afternoon session of October 2015 General Conference, in locations around Temple Square, a number of OW supporters will create “living picture” scenes of events in LDS history. The scenes will depict some of the diverse ways Mormon women have practiced their faith, including instances when women acted with institutionally-sanctioned authority presently associated with priesthood office.
Following the historical presentations, we will proceed with those featured in the depictions past Temple Square and the LDS Conference Center to City Creek Park, where we will inaugurate the “Keys” public art installation. One by one, all participants will attach keys, symbolic of our desire for women to have full access to ordination and decision-making authority in the LDS Church, to a gated structure designed by artist Ginny Huo. The “Keys” public art installation will be featured as part of the women in religion initiative at the Parliament of the World’s Religions conference in Salt Lake City, 15-19 October 2015. As keys continue to be added, it will remain a permanent monument in Utah to the movement for women’s equality in religion.
We encourage all who support women’s ordination to become part of the “Keys” art action. You can participate in several ways:
- Join us in Salt Lake City on Saturday, October 3, 2015. Those participating as docents and characters in the living history depictions will meet in City Creek Park at 3:00 pm. All other participants should bring a key (or extra keys, if you have them) and arrive no later than 3:30 pm for a brief prayer service and action instructions. Make sure you RSVP on our Facebook event page and fill out the form, indicating whether you would like to volunteer as a character in the living picture scenes, as a docent to explain and answer questions about the scenes, or as a participant in the “Keys” procession and art installation inaugural ceremony.
- If you are unable to attend in person, you can participate by proxy. A key will be added on your behalf to the “Keys” public art installation during the inaugural ceremony. Let us know if you’d like your initials or your name written on the key. We hope to add hundreds of keys, so please submit your proxy key request using this form.
- You can help with the costs involved in funding the “Keys” art project by donating to the “Go Fund Me” campaign. Your support is essential to this project and every single dollar counts. Please donate to the campaign specifically, or click on the Donate button at https://ordainwomen.org/
Equal in Faith Action: Sunday, March 8, 2015
Ordain Women and people of many faiths will mark International Women’s Day on Sunday March 8, 2015, by joining together in a global, interfaith fast and social media campaign (#EqualinFaith) for gender justice and the equality of women in their faith communities. Called Equal in Faith, the day-long fast and social media campaign will culminate in interfaith prayer services and regional gatherings in several cities across a number of continents. Details about regional gatherings—including those in Salt Lake City, Denver, and Washington, DC—as well as online participation are on the Equal in Faith website, equalinfaith.org, and on Facebook.
Sponsored by Ordain Women, the Women’s Ordination Conference (Roman Catholic), and Ordain Women Now (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod), Equal in Faith embraces the official theme of International Women’s Day 2015, “Make it Happen,” as a call for all people of faith to stand with women everywhere in the struggle for equality.
How can you participate?
1. Tweet or post a photo and/or a message on your Facebook page that includes the hashtag #equalinfaith and express your hope for religious gender equality. Be sure to make your post public. You can use one of the following suggestions or write your own.
– I support #equalinfaith
– Women of faith stand for equality #equalinfaith
– I am a feminist of faith #equalinfaith
2. Visit the Equal in Faith website, like the Equal in Faith Facebook page, and help spread the word about the Equal in Faith Fast on Sunday, March 8.
3. Attend an Equal of Faith break-the-fast gathering in your area, host a gathering of friends at your home, or participate virtually.
Our hope is that interfaith events like the Equal in Faith fast will underscore our belief in the ability of religion to liberate rather than subjugate women. We want to ignite an interfaith conversation about maintaining what we value in our religious traditions while transforming them into more inclusive, equitable and welcoming communities.
Priesthood Action Locations
Please see this map to find the location OW supporters will be gathering nearest you. Join us this Saturday!
October, 2014 Priesthood Session Action FAQ
Why are women seeking to attend the priesthood session?
We are demonstrating our desire to share the blessings, authority and responsibilities of the priesthood with our brothers and asking LDS Church leaders to prayerfully consider the ordination of women.
What do you hope to achieve?
We hope our leaders welcome us to the broadcast of the General Priesthood Session and consider our untapped potential. Attending the priesthood session will demonstrate our willingness to share a full range of priesthood duties with our brothers. In joining together, we are punctuating our commitment to Mormonism and fervent hope for the extension of priesthood ordination to all worthy adult members of the LDS Church.
What exactly is going to happen? What will you do?
On Saturday, October 4, 2014, individuals and groups of women throughout the world will gather at local stake centers to attend the broadcast of the General Priesthood Session. Those who cannot attend with local groups are encouraged to watch the session at home and share their experiences on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the hashtag #withwomen. Please refer to the Action page on the website for local details as they become available.
You were denied admittance to the all-male live priesthood session in Salt Lake City. Why ask to be admitted locally?
Many women couldn’t come to Salt Lake City for our previous actions. Some, however, attended the broadcast in solidarity at their local stake centers. We want to support women everywhere who hope for ordination, and we trust all will continue to be admitted locally. We applaud recent church initiatives, including an emphasis on collaborative, gender-inclusive councils, greater encouragement for women to serve missions, and the opportunity for women to both pray and speak in general conference. We hope church leaders will continue to respond to the expressed desire of the women they serve for a more inclusive church and that their hearts will begin to be receptive to the ordination of women.
Ordain Women engages in faith-affirming strategic action. How is this different from political action?
Our understanding of the gospel is that the heavens are yet open. The 9th Article of Faith states: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” We believe that the expansion of priesthood keys must come through revelation to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. That church members play a role in this process is demonstrated throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, which includes many examples of revelations received after members approached the Prophet and requested revelation. This pattern was established by Jesus, who said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). It is our faith in this process that compels us to action. “And your whole labor shall be in Zion, with all your soul, from henceforth; yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you. Amen” (D&C 30:11).
Is this a protest?
No. We do not protest. We see ourselves as future priesthood holders and will comport ourselves with the dignity that ought to accompany priesthood office. We plan to attend the priesthood session and listen to the words of our leaders. We do not want to disrupt anyone’s worship experience. We will reverently enjoy the session. In keeping with the reverent nature of the event, we ask participants to abide by the following guidelines:
• No anti-church diatribes
• No signs or banners
• Sunday best dress
Women now have a General Women’s Meeting a week before each semiannual general conference. Isn’t that sufficient?
Exclusionary policies concern us. Unlike the other sessions of general conference, the General Women’s Meetings are not considered part of general conference. They are auxiliary meetings and, as such, represent women’s secondary status in the LDS Church. We are saddened by the story of Sister Frances B. Monson’s exclusion from the General Priesthood Session years ago. “As a newly called member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the then Elder Monson was assigned to speak in general Priesthood meeting. Frances tried to stand in the doorway of the Salt Lake Tabernacle to listen to her husband speak, but the ushers wouldn’t allow it, so she stood as near to the window as possible to hear the talk” (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/frances-monson-passes-away).
Shouldn’t men have their own session of general conference without women?
If gender-specific sessions are vital, we wonder why women do not have their own general conference session without men. Men attend, speak at, and preside over the General Women’s Meeting. Moreover, the General Women’s Meeting is not one of the five sessions of the semiannual general conference. Rather it is a meeting set apart from general conference. We are not necessarily opposed to gender-specific meetings. After women are ordained, it might be appropriate to continue having occasional women’s meetings and men’s meetings. However, we do not believe women should be excluded from the priesthood of God or meetings where important announcements as to the governance and doctrine of the Church are discussed.
Why are you advocating in public?
There seems to be a perception among church leadership that Mormon women are content in their prescribed roles. In response to a question during a 1997 interview about whether the policy banning women from the priesthood could change, then President Gordon B. Hinckley said it could, but it would require revelation. The reporter probed, “So you’d have to get a revelation?” Hinckley responded, “Yes. But there’s no agitation for that. We don’t find it. Our women are happy. They’re satisfied.” (http://www.abc.net.au/compass/intervs/hinckley.htm) More recently, our current General Relief Society President Sister Linda K. Burton repeated this assumption: “I don’t think women are after the authority. I think they’re after the blessings and are happy that they can access the blessings and power of the priesthood.” (http://youtu.be/pQbFwbPcr-g) It is apparent that we need to express ourselves in a more public way—agitating faithfully—in order for our leaders to understand that we hope to share both the blessings and the authority of the priesthood and that we are not happy being excluded. As we publicly break cultural taboos that silence women, we believe more women will find the courage to honestly express their righteous desire to participate fully with men in all aspects of church governance, service and sacred ordinances.
Aren’t you asking for too much too soon?
Although Ordain Women was organized as a group in the spring of 2013, many of its participants have written and spoken about this issue for decades. They also have thought seriously about what constitutes appropriate religious, as opposed to political, action. From our perspective, this action is not precipitous. Rather, it is a continuation of our years of faith-affirming service to the LDS Church. In his letter from Birmingham jail, Martin Luther King wrote, “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” How long must women wait for our faith to reflect the equity we believe is fundamental to Mormon theology?
I’m afraid to participate with you. Do you anticipate disciplinary action?
Given recent events, we cannot predict the response of individual church leaders. Many of our local leaders have been supportive. Others have not. We believe our actions are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the LDS Church. We recognize that there might be social or personal costs to participants due to the disapproval of loved ones. Only you can weigh your circumstances and concerns and decide if this is the right thing for you to do.
If I can’t attend, but want to help, what can I do?
Those who cannot attend with local groups are encouraged to watch the priesthood session at home and share their experiences on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the hashtag #withwomen. Pray and fast for church leaders to receive revelation that will lift the ban on women’s ordination. Continue the conversation by discussing your thoughts and feelings with friends, family, and members of your local congregations. Support us on your personal Facebook pages, blogs and twitter accounts. Add your profile to ours at Ordainwomen.org.
Wear Purple to the General Women’s Meeting
Ordain Women supporters plan to wear purple as we join other Mormon women in attending the General Women’s Meeting on Saturday, September 27, in the Conference Center and other buildings around the world. By wearing purple, we want to show that we both love and support the church in its recent initiatives to make women more visible within our faith community and hope for a continued discussion about gender equality, including women’s ordination.
Last year, the church announced that the General Women’s Meeting, previously held once each year a week prior to the church’s semi-annual General Conference in the fall, now also will be held a week before the spring conference. In addition to providing another opportunity each year for women to hear from their female leaders, the church has also made other changes to give women more voice and visibility, including an emphasis on collaborative, gender-inclusive councils, greater encouragement for women to serve missions, and the opportunity for women to both pray and speak in General Conference.
Ordain Women supporters and other active, engaged members of the LDS Church appreciate these initiatives. We pray leaders will respond thoughtfully and positively to all those who share their belief in the possibility of a more equitable religious community.
2014 Equal in Faith Event
On Tuesday, August 26, 2014, Ordain Women and Equal in Faith invite women and men of all faiths to mark National Women’s Equality Day by joining a day-long social media campaign to draw attention to the marginalization of women in our faith communities and highlight the need for gender justice in religion.
1. Tweet or post a photo and/or a message on your Facebook page that includes the hashtag #equalinfaith and express your hope for religious gender equality. Be sure to make your post public. You can use one of the following suggestions or write your own.
– I support #equalinfaith
– Women of faith stand for equality #equalinfaith
– I am a feminist of faith #equalinfaith
2. Visit the Equal in Faith website, which will launch on August 26, and help spread the word about Equal in Faith inititiatives, including plans for our interfaith fast for gender justice in religion on March 8, 2015.
3. Throughout the next few months, join local Equal in Faith coalitions, which will begin meeting regionally to plan for the March 8 Equal in Faith fast. The Salt Lake City meet up, for example, is from 7:00-8:30 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. Stay tuned for more regional meet-up information.
Our hope is that interfaith events like the August 26 social media campaign and the Equal in Faith fast in March will underscore our belief in the ability of religion to liberate rather than subjugate women. At a time when many are leaving organized religion, we want to ignite an interfaith conversation about maintaining what we value in our religious traditions while transforming them into more inclusive, equitable and welcoming communities.
Planning Guide for Holding a Sisters in Silence Vigil
If you are unable to attend one of the vigils being held for Kate Kelly and Ordain Women on June 22, in either Salt Lake City or Fairfax County Virginia, we encourage you to coordinate a local gathering and pin it on this map. The disciplinary hearing is scheduled for 7:00pm EST. Adjust your own meeting time accordingly.
- Choose a location. Because this is a religious vigil, your local LDS chapel would be appropriate. Gather on the sidewalk near church grounds to remain on public property. You may also ask your local bishop/building coordinator IN ADVANCE to use the chapel lawn or to use the foyer in the event of rain. Other potential venues include someone’s home, a local park, or a local women’s history monument. Take note if your chosen location requires a permit. Your local LDS temple is not an appropriate venue.
- If you are having a candlelight vigil, you must be outdoors and in compliance with local fire codes. Alternatively, battery-operated lights can be used.
- Consider whether you will need a PA system and, if you do, plan to acquire one for the event.
- Invite friends and family to participate in the planning or to join you for the vigil. Use Ordain Women’s map of vigil locations to coordinate with others in your area.
- Please ask people to bring a handkerchief (of any color) and a photo of themselves or their family. We will be collecting the handkerchiefs for a quilt.
Create a program for the event that will be appropriate to your location and participants. Consider the following outline:
- Have a set start and end time.
- Open with a hymn and a prayer. Create a list of hymns to use throughout the evening that are peaceful and comforting. You may want to provide sheet music.
- Offer words of welcome.
- Ask someone to prepare and share a devotional message.
- Sing another hymn. If using candles (real or battery-operated), light the first candle and symbolically or literally begin to light everyone else’s candles by sharing the light with those near you.
- Have a moment of silence.
- Invite all those who are comfortable to take turns sharing their refusal to be silenced in short sentences, such as: “For my daughters, I will not be silent;” “As a daughter of God, I will not be silent;” “In honor of my foremothers who courageously walked across the plains, I will not be silent;” “For my sisters who have no voice in the church, I will not be silent;” etc. Each person should keep his or her remark brief. OR If your group is small, you may wish to invite everyone to take a few minutes to share additional thoughts or testimonies.
- Offer status updates about Kate’s hearing or the other vigils as needed.
- Depending on the time, sing additional hymns or hold another moment of silence.
- End with another short devotional message and a closing prayer. Leave the venue in good order.
Ordain Women Sisters in Silence Vigil FAQ
What is Church Discipline and how does it work?
Because only men in the LDS Church are ordained to the priesthood, anyone called before a formal disciplinary court is summoned, questioned and judged by an all-male council. For women, such trials, sometimes referred to as “courts of love,” are organized and judged by leaders at the local, or ward, level. Trials for men are usually convened by leaders at the higher, or stake, level.
The possible consequences of these courts are disfellowshipment or excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members who are disfellowshipped may not pray in meetings, give talks, hold a Church position, hold a temple recommend, sustain Church officers, or partake of the sacrament. They are encouraged to continue to pay tithing, however. Excommunication is the most extreme action that may be taken. No longer considered a member of the Church, those who are excommunicated are denied all privileges related to membership and must be re-baptized to regain those privileges.
What is apostasy and why is Kate being disciplined for it?
Apostasy, as defined by leaders of the LDS Church, is “when individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel.” According to Ordain Women spokesperson Debra Jenson, “Kate Kelly has never wavered in her testimony of the gospel and is in no way guilty of apostasy. Her faith is beyond question. As a leader of Ordain Women, Kelly, like the organization, embraces the promise of continuing revelation as outlined in the Ninth Article of Faith. At every turn, our actions have been respectful and dignified and aimed at communicating with our Church leaders.”
Why is the disciplinary counsel being held in Virginia?
Kate’s records are being held by her former bishop, who refuses to transfer them to her current location.
Was this expected?
No. Kate has been transparent with the public and with her Church leaders and did not expect to be disciplined in this way. According to Kate,
“I was open and honest with my bishop from the day we launched ordainwomen.org on March 17, 2013. I communicated with him each and every time Ordain Women did an action and asked that he come to me if he had any questions. … Convening a council in my absence, after I have moved, is … unchristlike.”
If I support Ordain Women, should I be worried about my own discipline?
We cannot predict the response of individual Church leaders. Many of our local leaders have been supportive. Others have not. We believe our actions are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the LDS Church. We recognize that there might be social or personal costs to participants due to the disapproval of loved ones. Only you can weigh your circumstances and concerns and decide if this is the right thing for you to do.
Why did Kate/Ordain Women decide to take this story to the media?
We are not being heard in other ways. Our requests for meetings have been consistently ignored. Michael Otterson, head of Public Affairs for the LDS Church, refused to intervene to prevent the court from going forward.
Why are you asking for letters of support?
Kate’s bishop sent her a letter that said she could submit a written statement in her defense if she could not be there in person. We are asking you to write a note as to how Ordain Women has helped strengthened your ties to the LDS Church and/or your belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are collecting notes here.
Who will receive the letters?
Kate’s former bishopric in Virginia and LDS Church leaders in the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City.
Will these letters do any good?
We don’t know. We hope they will speak to the good that Ordain Women has done and soften the hearts of the men who sit in judgment.
Why are you holding a candlelight vigil?
To show that many people are affected by this – not just Kate and Ordain Women.
To grieve together.
To show support.
Where will the candlelight vigils be held?
In front of the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, RSVP here.
2719 Hunter Mill Road Oakton, Virginia 22124, RSVP here.
Wherever supporters choose to hold them. We encourage those of you outside of Utah or the DC area to hold local vigils. We propose you invite people to attend either at your home or standing on the sidewalk near your local church building (not on the Church building property, to avoid trespassing issues). Please do not hold vigils at LDS temples. Please add the details and location of your vigil to this map.
In keeping with the spirit of Ordain Women, we urge you to ensure that these vigils are reverent and respectful. A short devotional to go along with the candlelight vigil is encouraged.
We are proud of the women and men of Ordain Women who have courageously and faithfully moved the conversation on gender equality in the Church forward, and we long for the day when we can discuss these issues without any fear of censure.
If I can’t attend the vigil, is there something I can do at home or online to show support?
Submit a profile in support of female ordination, instructions here.
Submit a note or letter of support for Kate Kelly and Ordain Women here.
Commit to coming to the Ordain Women Sisters in Silence Vigil in Salt Lake City on June 22 at 5pm, RSVP on Facebook.
Plan a silent vigil in your local area and add it to the map here.
Create an Ordain Women-themed profile photo, instructions here.
What do you hope to achieve?
We hope the disciplinary court in absentia will be cancelled and that Kate will continue in full fellowship with the LDS Church.
Why are you advocating in public?
We want to show our support for Kate and all women who hope for full participation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There seems to be a perception among Church leadership that Mormon women are content in their prescribed roles. In response to a question during a 1997 interview about whether the policy banning women from the priesthood could change, then President Gordon B. Hinckley said it could, but it would require revelation. The reporter probed, “So you’d have to get a revelation?” Hinckley responded, “Yes. But there’s no agitation for that. We don’t find it. Our women are happy. They’re satisfied.” (http://www.abc.net.au/compass/intervs/hinckley.htm)
More recently, our current General Relief Society President Sister Linda K. Burton repeated this assumption: “I don’t think women are after the authority. I think they’re after the blessings and are happy that they can access the blessings and power of the priesthood.” (http://youtu.be/pQbFwbPcr-g) It is apparent that we need to express ourselves in a more public way—agitating faithfully—in order for our leaders to understand that we want both the blessings and the authority of the priesthood and that we are not happy being excluded. As we publicly break cultural taboos that silence women, we believe more women will find the courage to honestly express their righteous desire to participate fully with men in all aspects of church governance, service and sacred ordinances.
Ordain Women engages in faith-affirming strategic action. How is this different from political action?
Our understanding of the gospel is that the heavens are yet open. The Ninth Article of Faith states: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” Webelieve that the expansion of priesthood keys must come through revelation to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. That Church members play a role in this process is demonstrated throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, which includes many examples of revelations received after members approached the Prophet and requested revelation. This pattern was established by Jesus, who said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). It is our faith in this process that compels us to action. “And your whole labor shall be in Zion, with all your soul, from henceforth; yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you. Amen” (D&C 30:11).
Is this a protest?
No. It is a plea for our voices to be heard. We will not protest. We want to support Kate and each other and continue to build our faith together.
In keeping with the reverent nature of the event, organizers have asked participants to abide by the following guidelines:
No anti-church diatribes
No signs or banners