Hi I’m Sabrina! I’m a junior at Wellesley College, majoring in English with minors in Math and Education. Attending an all women’s school has shaped my outlook on life and raised my awareness of gender inequality within the church. However, my desire for female ordination did not begin as an adult. It’s rooted in my childhood.
My parents got divorced when I six years old. As a result, my mother was left to raise me by herself. In need of spiritual guidance, she joined the church. Even at a young age, I knew that I did not have a traditional Mormon family; there were no priesthood holders. Every Sunday I went to church feeling excluded because the other members raved about how “blessed” they were to have the priesthood in their homes. I often cried and blamed God, for not granting me that blessing. I spent many nights praying that one day my mother could lay her hands upon my head and give me a blessing of comfort. But, I eventually gave up, knowing that because she was a woman, the bishop would not ordain her.
I knew something was wrong with that picture. As time passed, I witnessed my mother achieve incredible feats: she not only raised me, but worked full time, went back to college to study nursing, and taught me gospel principles. For this reason, I could not understand why The Family: a Proclamation to the World states, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” At my house, I saw my mother juggle both the secular and the spiritual. Consequently, I grew up believing that motherhood or the ability to bear children is not a woman’s sole role. Yes, it is a sacred duty and commandment. However, I believe God grants females with other spiritual talents and gifts, which must be exercised and developed. Therefore, I believe that in order for women to reach their full potential, they need the priesthood. Being ordained would not only allow them to take on more leadership positions, but it would strengthen familial bonds.
Together let’s forgo gender roles and allow our young girls to see themselves not only as potential mothers, but also potential priesthood holders.
For these reasons, I believe women should be ordained.