I grew up just north of Seattle, Washington in an active Mormon home. I was very active in my ward growing up, did Seminary, graduated from BYU with a degree in visual art, served a full-time mission in the Leeds England Mission and married in the temple. I have a beautiful four year old daughter and an adorable two year old son. I am a stay-at-home mom. In my spare time (the little that I have!), I love to paint, knit, sew, garden, read, play soccer, play video games… I have too many hobbies and interests.
When I first heard about Ordain Women I was very dismissive of the whole idea. Who were these people? I thought the whole thing was very bizarre and “steadying the ark.” But my heart softened when I witnessed the (also dismissive) bitter vitriol directed towards the group and its members. It reminded me of the scene from “Heaven Can Wait” where James Mason kindly instructs: “The likelihood of one individual being right increases in direct proportion to the intensity with which others are trying to prove him wrong.” Whether that is actually true or not, I became curious.
In the interest of full disclosure, my husband stopped believing and left the Church over a year ago. While that was initially very difficult, in some ways it has liberated me to totally reevaluate my faith, not only for myself but also for my children. What do I really want to teach them? Do I agree with what is being currently taught to them at church, implicitly or directly? The status quo of the Church is good enough for me—I’m used to it and can navigate its ways as I see fit. The Church is my home. But it is not good enough for my children. They deserve better.
Beyond the loving, peaceful platitudes and urges to try a little harder, one key thing that would easily make the Church a safer and more welcoming place is extending the priesthood to women. I’m not even sure I personally want to have the priesthood, but I think it definitely should be an option for those who do. I see no doctrinal basis for withholding the priesthood from women. If anything, my studies thus far have led me to a different conclusion. Yearning for the priesthood develops from a desire to serve and love; it is not an unrighteous grab for power and authority. My faith transition is by no mean complete, but women being given total parity and voice within its walls could only serve to protect and strengthen the Church. Only good can come of it. I submit this profile for my daughter and son, to show them to stand up for what they believe in and to stand up for others being maligned unfairly, come what may. I believe this group is agitating faithfully. I believe women should be ordained.