Before I get into what I really want to talk about, I need to say a little bit. First, I am a single 21 year old woman living in Utah. I'm a senior in college studying sociology with a business and visual arts minor(very random, I know). I claim to be a feminist and am very passionate about how women are portrayed and treated in the world today. I am also a member of the LDS faith, have been my whole life, and know it to be true.
With that quick little foundation of who I am, I'll get to the issue that I find to be a truly sacred topic. I don't know if people outside of the LDS church know, but over the past year or so
there has been an increase in the “Ordain Women” movement within
the LDS church. With General Conference right around the corner there
has been a lot of emphasis on this subject. Today I was reading a
blog post of a working LDS woman who shared her views on the
different roles of men and women. I thought it was a well written
article describing the differences between men and women, but then I got
to the comments. As I scrolled down I was saddened by the amount of
hurtful comments given on both sides. There was an attacking air in
many of them, or even a holier-than-thou perspective. But the one
comment that hit me was that from a woman not of the LDS faith. She
said that after reading the posts/comments she was utterly grateful
that she was raised in a different church where people respected the
ideas of another, whether they be right or wrong. This comment made
me think about how I would respond to her and to the other comments
and questions left. As I pondered I began to see how the language we
are using to discuss this issue is leading to a lot of
miscommunication and is adding fuel to the fire of this already
heated issue. I wanted to throw in my views and address some of the things that, from what I've seen, are being worded in ways that put both sides on the defensive.
For those who don't know what I am even talking about, there are many women and some men of the LDS church who
believe that women have the right to bear the Priesthood, the power of God given to men. These members
believe it is unfair that only men are allowed to hold the
Priesthood. They state that women have the same capacity as men do to
exercise this power and want to change the inequality they feel is part of this church. To this I simply call back to Prophets and Apostles who
have made many statements to this point. Men and women are different
and have different roles to fulfill. Men hold the Priesthood and
women bear children. These are separate but equal eternal roles.
Now, here is what I believe
is becoming part of this issue. As I read through the comments on
this blog post, there were many who's explanations said things that
seemed to be based in gender roles created by society. This was one
of the key points of the comments attacking this article, saying that
men and women are all different but equal and those who do not
support the Ordain Women movement are basing their opinions on
society created ideas. It was said that there are some women who have
more masculine characteristics and some men who are more feminine. Yes, women are traditionally mothers, but isn't fatherhood equal to motherhood? Is it really the church's right to say women are barred from holding
the priesthood power?
As a studying sociologist I
see the words 'gender role' and instantly get defensive. I do believe
society sets standards for each gender that, whether right or wrong,
are engrained in us. It changes the way we think, the way we talk,
and the way we act. Therefore, it is understandable that this has become
another issue to attack at within this broader conflict.
What it really comes down
to is men and women are different. That is something that is not
based in man-made gender roles. Out of the two genders, women are the
only ones that are able to create and bear children. Yes, it is
necessary that a man is involved and fathers are vital to a child's development, but it comes down to the woman to
carry that child for 9 months and give birth. Essentially, women are
the only ones that can give life. Men aren't able do that. They can help raise their children and be there for them, but they are not the creators of life. This is
not a gender role created by society, that is something that just is.
Now, as is told by the prophets and apostles, men are the only ones
that hold the priesthood. We don't fully understand why but it has
been revealed to us by God that men are the ones to hold this
Priesthood. Just as women are the only ones to bring mortal life, men
are the only ones that can bring the eternal. That seems to be
demeaning towards women. Men, through the priesthood, are the ones
that bring eternal life which, as we are taught, is the reason for
coming to this earth. Are women really so worthless in God's eyes
that they can't have the power to give that to their children? The
answer is no. Eternal life is our goal, however it is completely
unattainable without the mortal life. And mortal life, in turn, is
worth nothing without the eternal. Just as mothers work with fathers to raise their children, the men work with women to help exercise the Priesthood. It is a cycle that needs both men
and women in order to complete. These are not roles set by society,
or by the church, but roles set by God.
None of this means that we
aren't different. This doesn't mean that some men can't have more
feminine qualities or be stay at home dads. It also doesn't mean that
women can't be more masculine or be the breadwinner for the family.
It also doesn't mean we aren't allowed to question and seek for answers. We are all separate and unique individuals with different opinions
and ideas. Our church was created because of a question. But the roles we have do not change with society, culture,
or personalities. We don't have the answer as to why only men can
hold the priesthood- it just is. But is just the same for women. Why
are only women blessed to create human life? It just is. God made it
that way, and if we believe in God we will trust Him.
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