I often mention my Catholic background in my day-to-day discussions about religion. Maybe it’s because I like that it makes me different from my Mormon peers. I don’t have the same pioneer stories about my ancestors, and unlike my generational Mormon peers, my family history binder is bare… there are just too many members of my family to find!
I never considered myself a feminist until about 18 months ago. I was too scared of my homosexuality to think of anything else I could do to mock and displease God. And even now, as an advocate in the Church for the LGBT community, I’ve slowly aligned myself with the Mormon Feminist movement, because it helps me feel like I’m not alone. I’m not the only one who wonders why Heavenly Mother seems ignored. I’m not the only one who has had doubts, and I’m not the only one who still has a deep and sincere love for my Heavenly Parents amid these doubts.
Should women be ordained to the Priesthood? I believe we can, and we should. I don’t know if God meant the Priesthood to be for men only. Just like I don’t know if the Relief Society should be for women only. I haven’t gone to the Lord and asked specific questions on this subject, but the question I have asked is, “What is required to be ordained to the Priesthood?” The only answer I’ve received is that you must be worthy, and willing to serve throughout your whole life. No mention of maleness.
I don’t know if women will be ordained in my lifetime. I don’t know if women will ever be ordained. These are things I do not know. But I believe that we should. I know that I can worthily serve God. I know that I can serve worthily in the leadership of my ward, and stake. I know that God respects my devotion to my convictions. And that’s why I stand with the rest of the women who tirelessly work for this cause. Because this cause no longer belongs to someone else. This cause is my own.