My Views on the Mormon Feminist Movement

So there have been several things in the last few months that have made me really think more on what some would call the "Mormon Feminist Movement." This week there is an article that has gone viral throughout Utah titled "Group pushes for LDS women to wear pants to Church." Basically it says that there is a group of feminists who believe that there is inequality among the men and women of the Church and that they are going to wear pants to church on Sunday in protest of that inequality.  I have seen a lot of commentary on the web ranging in opinions from "this is ridiculous" to "this is the best thing that has ever happened." I thought I'd put my comments here on my little blog where probably only a handful of people will read it, but hopefully it will be beneficial to someone.

My initial response to hearing about this so called movement was anger that there are so many people who think that the Church is a male supremacist organization that oppresses women. However, my anger has quickly turned to sadness that so many women (and men), inside and outside the church, actually believe that this is true. I firmly believe that the doctrine of men holding the Priesthood while the women do not is like any other-it is something you can pray about to receive your own testimony about its importance and truthfulness.  That is one of the beauties of the Gospel-we can each know for ourselves the truthfulness of any aspect of it as long as we are willing to put forth the effort to seek that truth.

Many women argue that men get the Priesthood, so what do the women get? First of all, we "get" full access to the blessings of the Priesthood. I work in a partnership with my husband and understand that while he presides over our home, I can work with him and receive blessings the priesthood brings. For women who do not have the Priesthood in their home, they have access to the blessings of it through a father, a home teacher, or a bishop.

As women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we also have the opportunity to do many things that most religious women throughout the world do not have the opportunity to do. We have access to the pulpit, we teach, we lead, we can serve as missionaries, we publicly pray, we have the right to personal revelation, we can receive the gifts of the Spirit, we can receive the gifts of the Temple, and we are eligible for the highest spiritual blessings that we believe anyone can receive. These opportunities were not given to women when the Church felt the need to make things "politically correct," but they were given to women when the Church was established in the 1800's-a time when women were unable to vote or own their own property.

As members of the LDS Church, we also believe in the importance of Eve's decisions in the Garden of Eden. We honor her for her wisdom and her courage to act, for her decisions that allowed us to come to Earth. Most of the world condemns her for choices, but we praise her as one of the greatest people to ever live on the Earth. Does a church who believes in the inequality of men and women really believe in the important roles women have played throughout history?

Some would still argue that although there are many things women can do, they still cannot hold callings the Church that men can. It is true that we cannot be Bishops, Stake Presidents, Apostles, or the Prophet-and I am so grateful that we cannot. Men who work in these callings have to deal with so much sorrow, sin, tragedy, and heartache. They bear the burdens of an entire ward and are responsible for the salvation and welfare of hundreds, if not thousands. They are constantly in meetings, caring for others, and serving. I am sure that any woman who has been married to a man filling one of these callings can attest to the energy, devotion, and strength the entire family has to have to support him in these callings. They are blessed for their work and there are many good things these leaders experience, but it is something I would never seek for myself. Besides, a man cannot be a Relief Society president.

Many who are outside the Church think the women in the Church have been brainwashed to not seek a career, but to stay home with their families and become slaves that cook and clean all day long. I recently quit my job as a full time teacher to become a stay at home mom. I loved teaching. It was something that I was good at, that I enjoyed, and that made a difference (I hope) in the lives of many. I think there are very few careers that have such an impact on the lives of others as teaching does. Quitting was hard for me, but it was something that I chose to do. No one made that decision for me. When I married Anders, I knew that he would not make me quit my job to stay home with our kids or that he would make me work so we could have a larger income. He would support me in whatever I chose to do. Yes, I stay home and clean, cook, and change diapers-but I wouldn't change that for the world. I love it even more than teaching.

Another issue many women have with the church is the idea of modesty. Many believe that they are told what they can and cannot wear by men who know nothing of fashion and what modesty really means. I recently heard someone say that if you truly understand and see yourself as a daughter of God, modesty is not an issue-and I believe that is true. Modesty is not about being picky about what you can and can't wear, it's about understanding your true worth and value as a Child of God.

So to those who believe that women are considered unequal in the Church, look at the opportunities we have. We as women have a divine and sacred mission to raise our children and to serve others. We can receive all the blessings of the priesthood without having been ordained. To those women who are wearing their pants to church on Sunday, go ahead and wear your pants-just realize that what you are protesting does not exist.