Hi, I’m Marishannon.
I was raised in the Mormon church by two loving and active parents. They taught me to work hard for things I want and that I could do and be anything. I attended church every Sunday. I went to girls camp every summer as a youth. I did temple work as a youth and as an adult. I have served in Primary and Relief Society. I was sealed in the temple.
When I first heard about the desire of women to be ordained to the priesthood I thought that the views made sense. But I wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to fully support or if I really cared. But that changed one day when my infant daughter was climbing some steps at the playground. She looked at me full of wonder and excitement at what she was able to do and for what was before her. She didn’t just have one step before her, but her entire life. I decided then and there I never wanted her to lose that wonder and excitement, that zeal for life.
I want to teach my daughter that she can do and be anything in life, just as I was taught. I don’t want her to feel marginalized or less important because of her gender. I want her to enjoy all the blessings and power bestowed by her Heavenly Father. I want her to be able to lead and guide her brothers and sisters back to our Heavenly Parents. I want her to be able to serve her Parents in Heaven without limitation.
These are not just selfish desires. This is how I believe our Heavenly Parents truly intend it to be. To have men and women serve equally in the Church because “black and white, bond and free, male and female; …all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).
I believe that Joseph Smith restored Christ’s church to the earth. I believe that Jesus Christ came to earth to show us how to live and then died for my sins. I believe that we have a modern day prophet to lead and guide us. I believe that we can go to our Father in Heaven in prayer anytime and anyplace. I believe He loves each and every one of us equally. I believe that women should be ordained.