I’m an avid reader, a musician, a wife, and a mother of four. As a lifelong member of the Church, I grew up knowing of my divine worth. This belief is so important to me. I have never doubted that my heavenly parents love and value their daughters just as much as they love and value their sons. When I look at my beautiful children, I feel blessed with a small glimpse into the love our heavenly parents feel for all of their children. I hope my daughter will always understand that she is loved and valued just as much as her brothers, not only by her earthly and heavenly parents, but also in her church.
My time serving as Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, and Primary President only strengthened my conviction that the Lord “inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God” (2 Ne. 26:33). As I work with the adults, young women, and children of my ward, I feel an increased desire and capacity for service because I feel God’s love for them.
There are many things we can do as members of the church to reflect God’s love for all men and women, but I believe we can’t fully eradicate the harmful effects of inequality in the organization of the Church until men and women have equal opportunity to use their individual gifts and talents to build Zion. Equal doesn’t mean the same — I don’t imagine a situation where women unnecessarily duplicate what men are already doing. Instead, I dream of a more complete partnership where both men and women feel empowered to fulfill and share current and future roles within the Church, at home, and in the world.
I haven’t always felt this way. My journey to feminism has been circuitous, beautiful, and slow. But I see no harm in faithfully asking, seeking, and knocking. In asking for greater light and knowledge, I exercise great faith in the Lord that He will bestow “good things to them that ask him” (Matt. 7:11). In seeking for answers, I exercise faith in our church leaders that they will continue to seek revelation on this matter. In knocking at the door, I exercise faith in my personal relationship with the Lord and in His power to direct my life. I have felt increasingly confident in this faith as my thoughts and actions have borne fruits of peace, love, and joy.
I will honor the gifts I’ve been given by holding fast to my convictions. I believe women should be ordained.