I am a wife, mother, and professional. I work with operations management and human resources. I was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have served as a Young Women’s leader, Activities Day leader, Activities Coordinator, Music Leader, and so on. Although I loved the Church deeply, its current policies on several issues–such as women’s ordination–led me to leave its membership.
The colloquial phrase “your actions speak louder than your words” is familiar to many, yet practiced by few. In regards to gender equality, I feel the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints falls into the evasive trap of preaching more than practicing.
For example, while the Church teaches that all children of God are of value, their records and statistics only transcribe priesthood worthiness when assessing the strength of a congregation. While the Church proclaims that men & women are equal in the kingdom of God, I believe women possess minimal authority within the Church’s hierarchy and practices. While the Church commands that believers advocate for truth and righteousness, the women and men of Ordain Women are labeled heretical and outlandish.
Although I longed to ascribe to the teachings of the Church, the Church’s policies drove me to disaffection. I pray that the Church will cease to lose faithful members like myself by enhancing the authority of women within the Church through increased leadership roles and ordination. I believe women should be ordained so that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can demonstrate that they are “doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22).