I was born and raised in the Church, served a mission, married in the temple, and am the father of two girls. The older I get the more I realize how EVERYTHING that exists in the Church has come to pass because faithful individuals or groups have asked earnestly for implementation or change regarding some specific issue. I cannot think of one instance where God has made “first contact” for the creation of any doctrine or policy in regards to the LDS Church.
As I have observed from the sidelines the respectful way by which the Ordain Women movement has conducted themselves in their attempt to agitate towards ordination to the priesthood, I have equally been saddened by some members responses to it. In a church where members profess to “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need to comfort” (Mosiah 18:9), I have unfortunately seen the exact opposite by so many.
On a personal note, as the father of 2 girls, I find it increasingly difficult to bridge the chasm between teaching them they can aspire to be anything they set their minds to regardless of their gender versus raising them in an religion that tells them they are unable to do many things simply because of that gender. There have been countless times where I would have loved and welcomed my wife to be part of her daughters baby blessings, beginning of school blessings, healing blessings, and family ordination/calling blessings. I have often thought to myself during those blessings how wonderful it would be if, together as a couple, we could bless our family as equals instead of having to see her sit to the side simply because of her gender.
The phrase so frequently used in the Church regarding this issue of “equal but separate” sends shivers down my spine as it evokes memories of the civil rights movement for me. History unfortunately shows it simply to be a euphemism for discrimination against people based on race, sexual orientation and gender.
I believe women should be ordained.