Ok, so this post has been churning in my head for at least a year. I haven't written it yet because there's just so much to say, I don't know where to begin. So, I'm sorry that this is a rambling mess, but I need to finally get it out.
My family history is full of strong (and strong headed), faithful, capable, and amazing women. My Grandad and my Pa (Grandfather and Father) were my example of what it meant to be a good man, and how to treat a woman. Each treasured his wife as the greatest gift he had ever received, and treated her like a queen. It was far more than holding doors; I always knew that their happiness was the single most important priority. My mom was "boss" in my home. Ultimately she had decision making authority over all matters relating to the home. She was the book keeper, the cook, the maid, and the caregiver. But she was also the craftsman, the yard worker, and the source of sometimes two additional incomes. Likewise, my father was the bread winner, but he also cooked frequently, cleaned often, and loved his children passionately.
My grandmother was primary president for most of my childhood. She was also a book keeper and clerk for the local building supply company. She taught piano and was always in control. She'd have made an excellent politician if she were willing to lie enough. With that upbringing, I have become what I would call a traditional feminist. I believe that women are great, and should be treated with great love and respect. However, I find little in modern feminism with which I can agree. I think it is a great insult to womanhood that modern feminists want to measure a woman's success with a man's measuring stick. I could write about that for days, but it's not the point of this blog post.
I was first exposed to the idea of women holding the Priesthood several years ago. My knee jerk reaction was to laugh and dismiss the idea; however, further contemplation and discussion changed my views considerably. I immediately considered the great women of the scriptures, and then what little I knew of the great women of the restoration. I realized that there was a great power among the sisters. Later, it was pointed out to me that Sisters officiate in saving ordinances in the temple. (which I knew, but had never thought about). As I studied the topic more, I learned a great deal about the early Relief Society and the sisters who sat at its head. I became a believer, and began to consider how ordination of sisters to the priesthood would impact the church. Would they hold the Aaron and Melchizedek Priesthood, or some other order? Would they hold the same offices? I concluded that it was unlikely that sisters would hold the same offices, for example female bishops. Anyhow, this had all been stewing around in my head when the notion of Feminist Mormons resurfaced in 2012-2013. And that gave me a lot more to think about.....
Around the time that Ordain Women and "Wear Pants to Church Day" started to stir up controversy, I was starting to read articles and blogs about gender inequality in the church. Like most things I read online, I found a lot of garbage, but as my wife will tell you, I have a knack for finding great things mixed in with garbage (literally and figuratively). Mostly what I found was an invasion of "modern feminism" into the church, and it made me sick. Unlike traditional feminism, which celebrates the greatness of womanhood, modern feminism does two things. 1. Blames gender inequality for ANYTHING I don't like about my life. 2. Insists that women should be "equal" to men, which translates to "measure a woman's value, ability, talent, and desires the way you measure the same things in a man". In essence, it is the exact opposite of traditional feminism. Rather than lifting up women as amazing in and of themselves, it insists that women are only great if they are manly.
But, I digress; as I said, I found some great gems and jewels in this prolonged study.
1. I learned that I was no alone in feeling that the future would hold more authority and power for women
2. I learned that there are many cultural issues in the church that hurt women and men
3. I learned that there are many ways to empower women without any direct intervention from God
4. I learned that I don't understand the priesthood as well as I thought
5. I learned that Preisthood ordination and Preisthood power/authority are very different things.
6. I became convinced that God is actively preparing his daughters for something dramatic
Well, I was going to write more, but this is already getting long. So I'm going to split the rest of this into a few blogs. The first, which I'm about to write, is about the Ordain Women movement, and why it makes me sad, angry, disappointed, and frustrated.
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