I have been a loyal reader of C. Jane Kendrick's Blog for many years and have loved her fresh outlook on being happy with one's body and loving yourself no matter what. But lately I find myself not checking her blog for weeks at a time.
Her post last week really hit a nerve and I have been trying to put my feelings about it down on paper but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't properly articulate my feelings. I decided to scroll through the comments to see if anyone felt the exact things things I did and if anyone was able to put into words what I could not.
Here is what I found.
Andrea - I think wanting to ordain women is the most anti-feminist, anti-women stance I've ever heard in my life. It negates all the doctrine about how incredible and powerful and complete women are. It implies that Eve was lesser somehow than Adam or that Emma was lesser than Joseph because they didn't hold a certain type of priesthood. Ridiculous. We are all endowed with priesthood power in the temple and have equal access to all privileges and blessings. The family is the nucleus of the church--not the other way around.
I'm tired of women telling me that I'm lesser because I don't have the priesthood. Phooey. I'm also tired of women acting like priesthood responsibilities somehow define service in the world. Again, phooey. I'm also tired of women apologizing for motherhood as though it only applies to women with children. Eve was the mother of all living before she was capable of having children. Motherhood defines our natures--not our callings.
Can we please get past the view of equality as sameness and really claim the power we have as women now and always have. Eve had the same saving power as Adam--without holding the same callings in the priesthood. That hasn't changed. Our inability to grasp our own amazingness is sad.
Michelle - C. Jane I love you for being honest and open about what is in your heart. It is my quest to be real, authentic, and vulnerable and not feel boxed in by my religious culture. Thank you for your example!
I guess I fall into the category of the women who don't really want to be ordained, and therefore feel content with where I am. I like to think it is not because I lack open mindedness, but rather because I feel like asking to be ordained is a little redundant. I have thought a lot about it, and I cannot see how being ordained to the priesthood would bless my life anymore than the priesthood is already blessing my life.
When I was 21 years old I served in a priesthood role as a missionary for the church, representing Jesus Christ and wearing his name on my tag just like the young men I served with. I have taught the gospel with power, clarity, and even the authority of the priesthood as a Relief Society president, Young Women's president, Primary president, and other various callings within the church. I have made priesthood covenants and received priesthood ordinances and have access to the priesthood power because of these personal covenants between myself and my Savior Jesus Christ. I live with the understanding that I am a priestess in the making, fulling participating in God's plan for his children under the power and authority of God. These are all blessings and privileges I have received independently of what my father, brothers, and husband choose to do with their lives and the reasons why I personally do not understand the need for women to be ordained to the priesthood. I realize that not everyone agrees with my views, but the way I see it, I am already fully engaged as a participant in all of the priesthood blessings available to God's children.
Ordination allows for holding certain priesthood keys and performing ordinances. In my opinion it is not a sign of inequality. It is an administrative and service role for men in the same way the callings I have participated in (listed above) are for women. Anytime I have been issued a calling in the church, hands have been placed on my head to set me apart and give me (priesthood) power to do my calling, so in a sense I have been "ordained" to serve in God's kingdom, just like the men I love and honor and work alongside.
If it is God's will that his daughters are ordained, I will welcome that when it comes. It just isn't something I feel is needed for us to grow and progress. It will be interesting to see what lies ahead!
Melissa- I grew up in a small-part member family and in the south, no less where I was the one who usually held the different beliefs than everyone else, so I totally believe in being respectful of other's beliefs. I had to learn to stand up for the church when I was the only one and it isn't easy. So I don't want to sound judgmental at all, but I do wish to express why I feel differently on this issue.
I believe as women we are born with intuition, an inclination to nurture, and a tenderness that is different to that of our brothers. As women we bear and raise our own and even other's children. We are usually the ones to take care of aged parents. We take meals to neighbors, write a letter or card, remember birthdays, and cry or mourn with those that mourn. I believe these are strengths! To build and support one another is one of the things our Father in Heaven loves about us and needs from us!
I believe that the priesthood is given to MEN as THEIR opportunity to serve. They can't use the priesthood on themselves- only to bless others and we all are entitled to the blessings! I don't think that men having the priesthood makes us unequal to them. I believe without the priesthood, they would be UNEQUAL to us. :)
We naturally serve and sometimes the men need the nudge. Our Heavenly Father gave them the priesthood as a responsibility.
I don't need the priesthood because I know my role is divine just how it is and honestly I could use a little less responsibility on my plate (not more) if ya know what I mean! :)
Lots of love from one sister to another.
I was so happy to see that I found not one but two women who put into words everything I was feeling. I still love C. Jane for helping me to love myself and how to step out from behind the camera and make memories not for my children but WITH my children.
