I was born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley, as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband David, where I have been practicing law for the past ten years. I love studying Mormonism and I feel lucky to share in such a rich and unique heritage.

Over twenty years ago, when I was 15 years old, I “came out” in my conservative Mormon community as a bisexual youth. Until that time, I had a largely positive experience growing up LDS. However, the messages I received from Church leaders and my community about gender and sexuality during this critical stage of my life caused me to feel alone and powerless. I believed there was no place for me in the Church, and I ultimately left the faith.

Over the last several years, I have met many Mormons who have healed my heart. These Mormons, like the members of Ordain Women, demonstrate a commitment to Christ like love and service that is truly awe inspiring. These women and men have “put their shoulders to the wheel” in a push for inclusivity and equality that has touched me deeply and made me believe that positive change is not only possible, but inevitable.

I am joining OW because I want young people growing up in the Church today to be taught that there is room for women in positions of real leadership. I want my young Mormon nieces and nephews to know that, as brothers and sisters, they can learn from and depend upon one another for support and healing in the midst of life’s struggles. I want my nieces and nephews to grow up believing that women can and should hold institutional authority in the Church, that women have the personal characteristics necessary to effectively lead, and that a person’s gender does not hold predictive power over the trajectory of their lives.

One thing I admire about Mormonism is its history of modern day revelation, its open canon and its proclaimed goal of earnestly searching for further light and knowledge. As members of the wider Mormon community, all of us have the power to inspire one another to strive for equality with regard to gender. It is in this spirit that I wish to stand up in favor of equality for women in the Church.

I believe women should be ordained.