My name is Melissa, and I am a life-long member of the LDS Church. I am a recent BYU studio arts graduate, artist, runner, gardener and sailor.
My experience growing up in Young Women’s taught me that in order to be a good, faithful Mormon woman, my only option was to be a mother. I am an individual with many strengths and weaknesses; being a woman is one facet of who I am. However, I feel that my gender disproportionately dictates my role in the Church. While I look forward to identifying as a mother, I have other strengths that are not acknowledged.
I believe that the girls and women of the Church would benefit from seeing more women in leadership and that the Church underutilizes strong woman leaders.
I do not claim to know what is best for this Church, but I know my Heavenly Parents lovingly support my decision to identify with this group. I want to further my service and involvement in His church.
I ask the leaders of the Church to prayerfully research this topic instead of assuring me that I am equal. I believe women should be ordained.