Kate
Kelly, leader of the “Ordain Women” group, was officially excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly referred to
as the Mormon Church. Kate Kelly is the leader of the Ordain Women group, which
advocated for giving women the priesthood, which in the Mormon Church is a necessary
prerequisite for any positions of authority.
To give
you a little perspective on the issue, boys are given the Aaronic priesthood at
the age of twelve. At sixteen, boys are granted the Melchezidek priesthood.
Ultimately, holding the priesthood is a necessary prerequisite for any position
of authority within the Mormon Church. There are a few women who hold offices –
but even these leadership positions can be over-ridden at any point by the male
authorities.
When I
was a young adolescent, I went to girls’ camp every summer. The camp was
directed by women who had volunteered their time to organize and direct the
camp. At the time, I never questioned the fact that there was always a male
member of the priesthood present at camp. Sometimes the bishop, sometimes one
of the counselors, there was always at least one male priesthood holder in
residence. I didn’t realize that there was a policy that all-female must be
chaperoned by a male priesthood holder. Church authorities – by definition male,
by virtue of the priesthood exclusion on females – are allowed to sit in on any
female meeting. The authorities are also allowed to over-ride any decision made
by the few female leaders within the Mormon Church.
Kate Kelly, with her Ordain Women
movement, was seeking to make Mormonism a friendlier, more egalitarian
religion. But, as they have shown, the Mormon authorities are not ready for change. Once again, the Mormon Church is heading
backwards.
Over the past week, as I have been
watching as the Kate Kelly sage unfold, my predominant emotion has been exhaustion.
I’m tired. I’m tired of my Mormon legacy, of having to deal with the inherent sexism
that I grew up with, the inflexibility and obfuscation of Mormon leaders. The
Mormon authorities don’t release their financial reports, aren’t honest about
the unsavory aspects of their history, and continue to oppose any broadening of
social rights. My Mormon past is an uncomfortable burden to bear. I wish that Kate Kelly had
been granted the opportunity to make Mormonism a friendlier religion. But she wasn't and I'm no longer Mormon.
Over the past couple of weeks, we in the broader LDS community have witnessed the best and the worst among us. -- Your post being part of the best. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that you don't understand the true purpose of the priesthood, the God-given talents bestowed on men and women which are different but complementary, or the importance of doing things the way God has directed rather than having the audacity to proclaim that you know better and should follow whatever the unrighteous liberal social trends happen to be. It's even more unfortunate that you chose to turn away from those principals that God had blessed you with to follow the path advocated by Satan in his quest to lead people away from happiness.
ReplyDeletePlease explain how it is that you somehow know a better way to organize the Church and accomplish God's plan for us than He does. Please explain what caused you to disregard the scriptures and the revelations given to church leaders who are actually living the gospel rather than fighting against it? Please explain how following the guidance of your Heavenly Father through his prophets and apostles concerning men holding the priesthood has ever hurt you.
I am extremely thankful to know that Jesus Christ leads and directs this church and that it won't change just because someone thinks they have a better idea. That was Lucifer's plan and he continues to lead people away today.
By the way, all of the Church's financial records are available, church authorities have often discussed historical truths but logically don't descend to arguing with those trying to harm the Church by promulgating inaccurate or incomplete historical opinions, and thankfully will always oppose "broadening" of your so-called "social rights" when they are part of Satan's work.