Hi, I’m Rhonda. I should probably start out by saying that I’m actually not Mormon, nor have I ever been. I do, however, wholeheartedly support the Ordain Women movement. I consider myself an Evangelical Christian, a movement that doesn’t historically have the best track record for gender equality, though I am blessed to be a part of a denomination (Assemblies of God) that has believed in and supported the ordination of women since its inception.
My faith in Jesus Christ compels me toward compassion and to stand for justice, as He did on earth and still does today. I love the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
I believe that God has instilled gifts of leadership and insight in many women, gifts that are far too often underused or even wasted entirely because of antiquated gender biases and restrictions that prevent women from serving as spiritual leaders.
Women gaining the right to be ordained in the LDS Church will not only help achieve greater gender equality, but will also bring new and different perspectives to the leadership of the church, which can only do it good. By allowing women to be ordained, the Mormon church has nothing of value to lose, but so much to gain.
I wanted to write a profile to encourage my Mormon sisters to keep their heads up. Even when it seems that no one hears your voice, God is on the side of justice and He will prevail.
I’m Rhonda, I’m not a Mormon, but I believe women should be ordained.