My name is Andrea. I grew up in Cache Valley and now live in New England. I have been active my entire life. I’ve held a temple recommend since 1989. I served a mission in England and graduated from BYU. I’ve been a corporate attorney, a stay-at-home-mom, and now work in child advocacy law.
When I was young, I held out so much hope that the church would evolve towards my deeply held testimony that men and women are equal in the eternities. Mother in Heaven is a majestic, strong Goddess who gained her own exaltation. She is a creator who has the priesthood. She is not a fragile, delicate being who requires God’s protection from her children’s disrespect as I was taught.
For over 30 years, I’ve watched women’s voices and influence in the church diminish rather than grow. I see this as an unintended consequence of correlation and our current culture of micromanagement. We have conflated leadership and decision-making with holding the priesthood. For this reason, women’s inferior status can only be assuaged by ordaining women to the priesthood.
We’ve been patient. We’ve been obedient. It is time to progress by embracing the fullness of womanhood with it’s wisdom, perspective, and leadership. I believe women should be ordained.