Why I Support Ordain Women And Why All Mormons Should Too

I'm sure you are quite well versed in the current standing of the small Ordain Women movement in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, I'm about to offer you a completely different viewpoint than you may have read from other blog posts. One that I believe will get you thinking.

The reaction that first came up to my mind when learning of OW about a year ago was, "Oh great, another anti-mormon movement..." I had 2 problems with the group. 1) They appear to be proposing "Anti-Mormon" doctrine and 2) they seem to be doing it in a demanding way. Since those were my initial reactions, that's what I will address in this article.

Is OW an "Anti-Mormon" movement? Is it supporting doctrine contrary to the church's teachings?

Let's take a look.

Ordain Women uses an interview with my childhood beloved prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley to reference when he spoke on this very subject way back in 1997.

In regards to the rules set out that men are the only recipients of Priesthood Ordination, David Ransom asked, "Is it possible that the rules could change in the future?" President Hinckley replied, "He could change them yes. If He were to change them that's the only way it would happen... But there's no agitation for that. We don't find it. Our women are happy."

In the hope that this interview supplied, OW supporters have submitted (for a second time) a request for admission to this next General Conference Priesthood Session. The Church gave a response to their inquiry and a specific line they used backs up what Pres. Hinckley has said.

"Ordination of women to the priesthood is a matter of doctrine that is contrary to the Lord’s revealed organization for His Church."

"Revealed" is the key word in that statement. Again, it denotes a possibility for future change.

Now, you're probably thinking, "Oh crap, Cory has gone loco!"

Hold your horses.

Yes I believe its possible but I also believe it's not probable. I personally would be a little weirded out if it changed, but would conform to God's revealed doctrine no matter what it was. But we all have to accept the fact of it's possibility.

The Church obviously doesn't have a clear answer on this subject. Which means OW is completely fine for petitioning the church to ask God for a clear answer. They merit the same right as any black member years ago to petition the brethren to ask God about Priesthood Ordination. And they aren't being "Anti" for doing it, they can even hold a temple recommend for having those view (at least for now). Here is an interesting document that is handed out by OW as a help reference when approached about OW views. Check out examples starting at page 11. It's interesting to note that all of the stake presidencies involved weren't taking away their temple recommends (Which if you are not familiar, one of the questions prior to obtaining the recommend asks if you support a group whose teachings are against the church doctrine).

Take a look at the Doctrine and Covenants. How did we get them? Joseph saw unclear doctrine and inquired of the Lord. How did we receive the restoration? Joseph saw unclear doctrine and inquired of the Lord. How did the blacks finally receive the Priesthood? The church leaders saw an "agitation" on the subject and inquired of the Lord.

"God waits for us to inquire before instructing."

Don't get me wrong, we will not dictate God. But like I said, he does wait for us to ask before we can receive.

Of course God "can" change what he wants to change in the church. But some things have undefined reasonings and are more understandable to change. An example, I have no clue why we pass the sacrament to the Bishop first. There is no doctrine that I find instructing that. However, I really don't care. If there was "agitation" on the issue, I'm sure it would be more clearly defined or done away with.

Not even Pres. Hinckley says why men only have the Priesthood. He merely says, "The Lord put it that way". With the Word of Wisdom, we have many reasons as to why it's there, scientific and spiritual. Sure it could still change, but it seems less likely.

I don't mind OW going to the church and saying, 

"We feel this is important, can you petition God for us?" 

And then having the church come back with an actual answer, weather yes or no.

However, I would be very annoyed if a band of members grouped together and asked the church to petition God to redefine marriage to include Gays... That doctrine is so clearly laid out. Where as gender and the priesthood is not.

Is OW demanding that the church changes it's doctrine?

I think OW comes off as very extreme. They may not intend to do that, but they most definitely do to me. This is what turned me off about them and came up with my initial "Anti-Mormon" thought process.

At least that was my initial reaction, until I looked more into it. I read their blog, no hostility. I watched a video of them actually at last Priesthood Session of Conference asking to get in, no hostility.

As long as they respectfully go about their petition and then sit content with the answer they receive, I'm all fine with the group.

ConclusionI thought I'd wrap up with a few of the amazing results of OW and other women rights movements in the church.

It's because of their inquiry that the age limits have changed on both Male and Female missionaries for the church.

It's because of their inquiry that women now have a more predominant role in PEC meetings.

It's also because of their inquiry that the pictures of LDS Women leaders are now up for display in the Conference Center for the first time.

Now, since their actions have not been hostile (as far as I've observed), I see no reason to turn them away as "extremists". However, I want my personal beliefs to be clear. 

I support and sustain the leaders of this church. I support the current standing of the church on this subject that Priesthood is given to men only. I don't really care for the Ordination of Women, but I can respect that some have good reasons for it. I also believe it's possible that it "could" change. Since OW's question doesn't have a clear answer and isn't supporting of Anti-Mormon doctrine, I believe they are entitled to an answer. And I will uphold and defend the answer received.

"I support OW, because I support the search for further light and knowledge from God."

If you agree with this concept, please help me open the mind of church members by sharing this around.

If you have a different perspective, please chime in below. If you have links to your sources, please link them to your comments. I am open to more understanding on this subject.

(EDIT 4/6/14: Elder Oaks gave a beautiful, well worded, and clarifying talk on this specific subject. Ordain Women now needs to accept that they've been heard and now they need to humble themselves to the answer given.

I was disappointed to hear the actions of OW durring April 2014 Priesthood session. They directly disobeyed the requests of the Church to use designated protest areas. Instead, they picketed near the tabernacle and refused to leave when asked... Come on OW... That's a horrid way to get you voice heard and respected.)

"WHERE SELDOM IS HEARD A DISCOURAGING WORD."

Let me fill you in on a MISTAKE that I made this past week. Yup, I'm going to share with you one of my weaknesses that made me stop dead in my tracks and yell in my own ear, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Please keep in mind, at the end I'm going to ask you a question to better help me understand how I can continue to turn this mistake into something positive.

Let's get started,

Just a couple days ago I was at work chatting with a fellow employee. Because of our monotonous tasks that were assigned to us that day, we got onto the common subject of the unfavorable way our managers managed the shop. I proceeded to spew out, what I deemed, facts of what the company was doing wrong and how the company could be better run.

I know, I know, we all complain about work from time to time. But I had participated in this rant for nearly the whole week now, and particularly for a few hours on this particular day!

The interesting part is that I KNEW that I was complaining and that I "probably" shouldn't. However, I justified my hurtful words because I was right and I knew it and my coworker fueled my fire by agreeing with what I said. Can't leave the applauding crowd hanging you know?

What makes the whole situation ironic is that I had just previously read a book 3 times in the prior month who's first chapter is about NEVER criticizing, complaining, or condemning others. How's that for hypocrisy?

A number of years ago the NSF (National Science Foundation) estimate that the average human being produces anywhere from 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts each day. Now most of these have little immediate value like dwelling on the past, future, daydreaming, etc... Leaving just a small amount of thoughts that actually reflect on what's important.

Some have estimated that an upwards of 60%-70% of all these thoughts are negative. Would you agree?

Maybe take a short self evaluation to determine the truth of that for you.

-What was your reaction when the alarm went of this morning?
-What did you think of yourself when you first saw your reflection in the mirror today?
-Any traffic problems today? What was your reaction?
-What was your attitude when you first walked into work, sat down for class, or began your first errand?

If you are anything like me (which I hope you aren't), my reaction to those common tasks usually add another brick to the emotional backpack I carry throughout the day. Adding another when someone cuts me off. Then another when I'm late to my next task, and another when I realize, or worse when someone else points out, some task I did wrong or even completely forgot to do the days before.

"Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day."

You probably heard John Denver's voice, or some childhood scouts as you read that familiar song verse. I like the picture this song paints. "Home"is a place where we all feel comfortable and welcomed, loved and accepted. The other verses describe events and attitudes that would add to that environment and allow us to imagine it.

These feelings foster growth and improvement. They are the balm to our emotional wounds from our daily wade in negative environments such as the criticisms of the world. Yes, the ones that I gave.

Here, in this thought process, was my EPIPHANY.

The goal of my complaining was the hope something would change in my work environment. However, the VERY means that I attempted to accomplished that purpose prevented it from even happening. Criticism, complaining, and condemning put a halt on any desire for one to make an improvement.

Even if I was right with my thoughts about better management, had my managers stood in the path my comments, I'm sure their reaction would only be to defend the reasons why they were doing what they were doing things the way they were.

However, what we thirst for more that water itself is the feeling of APPRECIATION.

"Once I did bad and that I heard ever. Twice I did good and that I hear never."

How common is it for our good deeds to go unnoticed and instead have our flaws put in the spotlight?

Appreciation, like "home", is the breeding ground for progress and improvement. When we accentuate the positive in people, we perform a miracle by being the diamond in their rough day. Those acts over time will do more to change their behavior and positive progress than any criticism could ever.

Let's take the science I listed above as a challenge to lift up our own day, by lifting up another's.

NOW, since I am sure that you didn't delve into this bad habit as much as I did this week. I want YOUR HELP.

When someone around you is criticizing, complaining, or condemning... What are some positive ways to react that wont directly make them feel guilty (which, as we've discussed, doesn't foster change)?

Chime in below so I can learn from YOU!