I have really tried to hard to be quiet on this topic as I have feared to say something that will offend friends who may feel strongly about his issue. But I am finding it difficult to be quiet. Perhaps it is because of what transpired on Saturday night.
But before I express my opinion I think I need to go back a little in time. When I was in my teens and even into my early twenties, I confess that I had similar concerns that members of the Ordain Women organization currently have. I felt confused over why women could not hold the Priesthood. Growing up in a country that touted equality - I didn't feel the same. Men in the church had something that I did not have. Why was that? It left me feeling frustrated for some time.
However, my testimony and trust in my Heavenly Father was strong enough to get through those years as I prayed and worked on that question, and other questions I had. Heavenly Father has promised us revelation - line upon line, precept upon precept... here a little and there a little. Sometimes we get the answers immediately, sometimes the answers come in time, sometimes the answer is not yet, and other times the answer is no.
I decided that I had to show FAITHFUL PATIENCE. As time passed my frustration and confusion eased, peace came and then knowledge. My faithful patience paid off.
We DO need to ask him the RIGHT way in order to GET an answer. What has bothered me has been the way the Ordain Women group has gone about claiming they are trying to get an answer. By saying they are trying to get President Monsen's attention and leaving the designated area on Saturday night (which they were respectfully asked not to do BY THEIR PROPHET AND LEADER WHO SPEAKS FOR AND IN BEHALF OF GOD) what they are really trying to do is get the WORLD'S attention.
In an email on Saturday evening church spokesman Cody Craynor wrote: "While not all the protestors were members of the church, such divisive actions are not the kind of behavior that is expected from Latter-day Saints and will be as disappointing to our members as it is to church leaders." I have to agree with this statement. I was more than disappointed. I believe that if you have some issue with someone - take it to the person. This was a public display meant to embarrass the church and was unbecoming our members.
On Ordain Women's website Kate Kelly claims that women are treated unequally in the church and that there are "thousands who think like me." I want to public declare that there are thousands who DON'T.
There is a danger in the Ordain Women website. The words are carefully crafted. If you don't pay close attention you may not catch the lies. For example: "Only boys and men, however, are ordained to the lay priesthood and have ritual and administrative authority in the church." You might think, "Wow! That is so true! They DO have all the priesthood and ritual duties." But wait a minute... They have ALL of the ADMINISTRATIVE authority in the church? That's ridiculous!
What am I doing day in day out in administering in my calling as Primary President? Should I have handed that over to a man over a year and a half ago? What was I thinking busting my butt all of this time? In fact, it says in the handbook under Ward Primary Leadership: "This chapter focuses on administering the Primary in a way that will strengthen individuals and families." (italics added)
Ordain Women's website also claims "Despite their gifts, talent, and aspirations, women are excluded from almost all positions of clerical, fiscal, ritual, and decision-making authority." Let me again refer to the Handbook on my calling as Primary President "She oversees the records, reports, budget, and finances of the ward Primary. The Primary secretary helps with this responsibility." I have 170 children in my Primary - it is part of why I am so busy with tracking various changes that go on during the week: Attendance at cubscouts, 11-year-old scouts, Activity Days, Callings, releases, families moving in, families moving out, doing and tracking baptism visits, doing and tracking Faith In God appointments. I have plenty of clerical duties to keep me busy as does my secretary. Then there is our budget that we have to keep a close eye on. I am so grateful to my secretary who is incredible at taking care of all of things on Sunday so that I don't need to worry about attendance as well as lining up talks and assignments for Sharing Time each week. It makes for such a smooth Sunday. What an incredible lady she is!
As for decision-making authority... twice a month as Primary President I participate in ward council with the Relief Society President and the Young Women President. I have listened to their wise counsel as well as given my own counsel in these meetings. It is a great opportunity to work together as a ward. Because of my well-placed words in ward counsel the bishop listened and the Duty to God program for the Young Men in our ward has found new life.
Another interesting point the site makes is: Why aren't Mormons resistant to women's ordination? Kate Kelly claims that Mormon women don't seek ordination because of "lingering patriarchal patterns". Other Ordain Women bloggers have suggested that we passively obey our leaders.
I'll begin to end my long-winded speech with a quote from Elder L. Tom Perry:
"Too often we think of obedience as the passive and thoughtless following of the orders or dictates of a higher authority,” Elder Perry said. “Actually at its best, obedience is an emblem of our faith in the wisdom and power of the highest authority, even God.”
I agree with Elder Perry. I am different from that teenage girl who questioned "inequality", because I thought that inequality meant everything had to be the same. I am a confident adult who makes administrative, clerical, fiscal contributions in my ward weekly.
Don't allow others to fool you. As one who was very confused as a teenager, I know that there are those out there who are really struggling with this issue. I get it. I have been there. We all have questions that we need answered. Have faithful patience as you wait upon the Lord
If you have a sincere question, take it directly to the Lord. He is the source of truth.
I can tell you this... Ordain Women's website - is not.
2 comments:
Well said
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