sarah331

I wonder if my views would be different if we had a priesthood in our marriage. My husband is inactive, only received the Aaronic. ETA I don't mean that I wouldn't think it makes sense for women to be ordained, just in terms of how I would see women in priesthood roles and the stewardship and that. I like your points, Traveler, thanks!! :)

Just a Guy, thank you for a thorough, and judgment free, response. I greatly appreciate it and it actually brings a lot more to light for me.

Kapikui the stewardship part makes sense. Thanks for the discussion, all!

Thanks Wingnut.

That's fine -- you don't have to believe me. But I know what I feel when I pray, I know what I've felt when I've asked for confirmation and guidance of my journey, and I know that those are the same I feel when I read those.

I've read that before. Her views work in the family but less so in the church as a structure, when you consider men have the presiding authority (baptism, confirmation, etc). I admit, though, I've been in wards where this "divide" is less glaringly obvious, where women play as equal a role as they are able in meetings. As an aside:: I've been wondering lately, with the influx of missionaries and specifically female missionaries, how it works for Sister missionaries on the field. They do the proselytizing work, correct, but cannot baptize. Are they involved in the baptism interview? This is genuine curiosity, not an attack -- it seems like logistically to be a bit more complicated than for Elders? I also know there is more to a mission than this, that there is other service involved.

Holy.

I agree with that, Estradling, except there is no female equivalent of priesthood to even *be* separate but equal in terms of authority. Before you say "motherhood," it's truly "fatherhood" that is equal in to motherhood. I know that deeply, just by watching my husband with our children -- he is as divinely meant to father those children as I am to mother them. We do so in very different ways. He could not carry nor nurse them, just as in time I will not be able to relate to my boys in the way my husband can. In this way it's separate roles united in equal partnership :)

Well, I disagree insomuch that I think it sometimes take agitation for people to be willing to ask the right questions, if that makes sense. It's a pattern that's been continuous throughout social history. I would not be thrilled, even as someone who would love to see ordination for women, if the GA just said "Mercy, mercy!" and changed it. It does seem like something that should be prayerfully decided (which obviously they do with all things). I do also think there's something to a generational divide in being "ready" for some answers. Sometimes it takes a fresh mind and young heart -- like when Joseph Smith asked for his answers :) ETA Divide is the wrong word...so is gap. But I do think there's something to a fresh mind and young heart.

Well, the BoM in 2 Nephi states all are alike unto God. To me this encompasses everything, really. Plus, Joseph Smith himself said the Relief Society, when it was first founded, would be modeled after the pattern of the Priesthood. Not to mention (and this is more vague for me, I haven't gotten to the NT yet so apologies) Jesus included women in intimate ways, right? It was a woman who saw him before his ascension, Mary Magdalene. Women have played powerful, priest-like roles in the OT, too, with Deborah sitting as judge. I definitely take lack of outright prohibition as permission, too :) Nothing I've read prohibits women from the priesthood, so I don't see why we are prohibited from it. It just seems like something people need to ask in the right way at the right time for it to change. **as a caveat, I am still investigating -- have read BoM and am 60% through OT**

Maybe not the current teachings but I absolutely believe they represent doctrine, as I've read and am learning it.

Indigo, I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I'm considering conversion, was also raised by very progressive parents, and have some of the same dissonances you do. It helps to see the answers here for the most part, and it helps to know that there are some more-liberal leaning people here (both in terms of political stuff and in their practice of Mormonism). I was starting to feel alone for a second there :)

Oh I guess I just don't think OP is sinning :) I'll step out of the convo, it's digressing in a way I don't think is beneficial to OP. Thanks, though!

Hmm even when you're talking about big, huge, longterm happiness that comes from loving yourself and having a partner in love? I see the argument when you're talking about like, drinking, or something like that. But Happiness in the largest sense should still be a goal, right? Would you want someone to be miserable in their life here on Earth?

Also the only thing you owe anyone is yourself your happiness.

Oh you're not a bad person at all. I'm happy to hear you're in a loving relationship :) Have you seen the site No More Strangers? I'd check that out. Also look at Mitch Mayne's site. Both of these may help you find a reconciliation in your soul, which seems to be what you're looking for.

Well....as an investigator, I for one feel the Spirit very strongly when I read the Ordain Women site. Just as I do when I read No More Strangers. These movements are part of what's driving me towards the Church. *shrugs* Thanks for sharing the event, I'm an East Coaster but I'd love to attend if I could. I'll be interested to see if anything is mentioned during GC.

He IS a curious liberal feminist. Vaginas are optional -- we welcome all!! :) Thank you for your words on the Lord, I appreciate your input.

Hello, I guess I'd be considered an "investigator" of the church. I married an inactive man and we have twin boys. We faced a terrible time in their pregnancy when we thought they'd have a terminal illness -- thankfully they are okay -- but that sparked my investigation. First it was generally into religion and finding God. Now I feel strongly pulled toward Mormonism. I have been speaking with family and friends who are LDS and of course my husband. He has recently started rereading his BoM. I've read some of this forum to help with my hesitations about the church (please note, not the religion, the church as an entity and institution) and thought it only fair I start to participate if possible. I'm a very curious liberal feminist, as is my husband. I guess you would say I came to Mormonism from the backstage -- I know the nitty gritty that have troubled the faithful, and still find ways to believe. I have had one (as Joanna Brooks calls it) "heart stopping" experience with our Heavenly Parents through basic Mormonism and would love to experience more. That's sort of my story. Thanks.