I fully support this movement for women to have the opportunity to hold the priesthood if they so wish. I think there is room for it in the Church. I believe that Church would be a far better organization if women had a more prominent role.
I am frustrated by the suggestion that those supporting the Ordain Women movement are somehow going about this the wrong way. Sure we can petition God! That is how I view this movement—those involved with Ordain Women are petitioning God by making their—our—views known to the leaders of the Church. What’s more, it is through such a forum of sharing that others with similar views can feel more confident in their beliefs. Additionally, this movement is sparking important discussion. In regards to petitioning God, Rabbi Steve Greenberg in Trembling Before G-d, a documentary about Jewish gays, says:
“The demonstration that human beings can influence even God is all over the Torah. Moses influences God, Abraham influences God. God, Blessed Be He, wishes to learn from his conversations with human beings. All over the Torah. That’s what the covenant is all about! The whole engagement is not about God’s control but about God’s love, because God engages human beings, says what God thinks, and they say back, and then He goes Oh, and God says Oh, you know what, that’s right. You know what, let’s do it this way instead. It’s not [Does not?] Judaism if it’s not responsive to the human condition.”
As a gay person (and especially a gay Mormon), I think I know something about what it feels like to be marginalized. I know how important it is to listen to everyone’s opinion, because I know how terrible it feels to be silenced. I also understand that I have certain privileges, and that means I must listen to the experiences of those lacking those privilege with particular respect and courage. These are some of the reasons I support this movement.
I have a lovely uncle with a strong testimony who is very supportive of me. He shared a quote with me by Brigham Young that I feel is relevant. It goes (as quoted by my uncle, from Brigham Young’s Journal of Discourses):
“I will now say, not only to our delegate to Congress but to the Elders who lead the body of the Church, that he thought that all the cats and kittens were led out of the bag when brother [Orson] Pratt went back last fall, and published the revelation concerning the plurality of wives; it was thought there was no other cat to let out.
“But allow me to tell you, Elders of Israel and delegates to Congress, you may expect an eternity of cats, and that have not yet escaped from the bag. Bless your souls, there is no end to them, for if there is not one thing, there will always be another.”
I really look forward to this cat being (finally) let out of the bag. How I wish I could hear the words of a priesthood blessing come from my mother as well as my father! What amazing mission presidents my “mission mothers” would have made—indeed, their husbands were amazing, too! How lovely it would be if the sister missionaries could baptize the people they teach.
I don’t think this movement is without precedent. Many of my ancestors crossed the plains with the Saints. Let me share a story, as I remember it, my grandmother told of a relative of ours who on the trail west had an ox who fell ill. Their course was halted. For whatever reason (I think there were no priesthood holders around), she gave the ox a blessing. The ox regained its health and they were able to continue on the journey. Could that not be the power of God through the faith and the blessing of this woman—my great-something grandmother—that healed the ox?
I am not asking the president of the Church to change the mind of God. I am asking him to ask God. Perhaps he already has. But to ask again. And again. Until this cat is let out of the bag.
I believe women should be ordained.