I have been debating my place in making such a response to the array of blogs, articles, and personal opinions put out over the last two weeks regarding the "Ordain Women" movement by Kate Kelly and the publicity it has caused.
It is a very personal and emotionally charged subject. It has had me emotionally charged and caused a lot of deep thought.
Let me start here. I have a very firm conviction that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contains the FULLNESS of the gospel of Jesus Christ for this dispensation, these Latter-Days in the history of mankind. I believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. I believe that the mouthpiece for the Savior Himself is the prophet Thomas S. Monson. He directs the organizational affairs, the social affairs, and the spiritual affairs of the Church. I believe that the leadership of the Church acts in perfect harmony with the will of God. I believe in continued revelation and growth that will enable the eternal salvation of men. I believe that the Priesthood is the power of God on the earth and men are chosen to hold the keys and administer the Priesthood as directed by God Himself. Just today I was "set-apart" in my new calling as a Sunday School teacher for Old Testament Gospel Doctrine. Hands were laid on my head by men authorized to use their Priesthood key to bless me and authorize me to use the Spirit of the Lord specifically in my responsibilities as an instructor. (And boy am I going to need that added help, my first lesson is going to be on David and Bathsheba, and David's fall, talk about intense!)
I have read a lot of blogs for both sides of the "Ordain Woman" movement and controversy.
I have read the letter Kate Kelly sent to her disciplinary council.
I have read a lot of the media's opinion.
I have read all of the statements the church has issued concerning this matter. This being the latest one.
CLICK HERE
I have participated in temple worship.
The most important resources I have relied on are the words of prophets and apostles themselves.
It's interesting that supporters for Kate Kelly and Kate Kelly herself
keep saying that the church is not listening to their concerns, however
the statements by the Church PR and the following talks tell me that the
leadership of the Church is very much aware and is responding or has
already responded and the answer has already been given and addressed.
These first two helped me to see what prophets and apostles have said on the matter of equality in the hierarchy of the church, the responsibility of who carries out the duties the Priesthood, and how to discern the messages people are trying to send me. I say discern rather than judge on purpose. As a covenant-keeping woman with the gift of the Holy Ghost I am commanded to discern between right and wrong. It is certainly not up to me to pass judgement on the condition of ones soul and salvation, but I am commanded to judge good from evil, and then accept or reject their teachings.
1.) Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke in the April Priesthood session.
click here for talk.
"While addressing a women’s conference, Relief Society general president Linda K. Burton said, “We hope to
instill within each of us a greater desire to better understand the priesthood.”
1
That need applies to all of us, and I will pursue it by speaking of the
keys and authority of the priesthood. Since these subjects are of equal
concern to men and to women, I am pleased that these proceedings are
broadcast and published for all members of the Church. Priesthood power
blesses all of us. Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and
priesthood ordinances and priesthood authority pertain to women as well
as men."
"We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the
priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be?
When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a
full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a
priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to
function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the
direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions
in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys
exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties."
"The divine nature of the limitations put upon the exercise of priesthood
keys explains an essential contrast between decisions on matters of
Church administration and decisions affecting the priesthood. The First
Presidency and the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the
Twelve, who preside over the Church, are empowered to make many
decisions affecting Church policies and procedures—matters such as the
location of Church buildings and the ages for missionary service. But
even though these presiding authorities hold and exercise all of the
keys delegated to men in this dispensation, they are not free to alter
the divinely decreed pattern that only men will hold offices in the
priesthood."
2.) Elder M. Russell Ballard in October of 1999. (1999, that's 15 years prior people!)
"Therefore, let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men
and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the
Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers
by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose
contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those
who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who
actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal
well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and
Korihor in the
Book of Mormon,
they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views.
They “set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get
gain and praise of the world; but
they seek not the welfare of Zion” (
2 Ne. 26:29)."
“in the Lord’s Church there is no such thing as a “loyal opposition.”
“Let us remember that it is our duty to be faithful to the restored
truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It takes faith-real faith, total
and unreserved-to accept and strive to live prophetic
counsel. Lucifer, the adversary of truth, does not want us to feel or
exhibit that kind of faith. He encourages disobedience, planting
defiance in the hearts of the unwary.”
The last two are resources that helped me know how to respond.
"Friends,
especially my young friends, take heart. Pure Christlike love flowing
from true righteousness can change the world. I testify that the true
and living gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and you are members of
His true and living Church, trying to share it. I bear witness of that
gospel and that Church, with a particular witness of restored priesthood
keys which unlock the power and efficacy of saving ordinances. I am
more certain that those keys have been restored and that those
ordinances are once again available through The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints than I am certain I stand before you at this pulpit
and you sit before me in this conference.
Be
strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live
it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but
defend them. A long history of inspired voices, including those you will
hear in this conference and the voice you just heard in the person of
President Thomas S. Monson, point you toward the path of
Christian
discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a
great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and
successfully traveled, “with … steadfastness in Christ, … a perfect
brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.”
19
In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable
faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in
the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer,
upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you
cannot fall.
20 In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."
I am to respond to those who have different opinions then me with pure Christlike love, with courtesy and compassion. And those who struggle with questions that are contrary to the council of the leadership of the church are to respond likewise, with love and a seeking of true righteousness.
"We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this
mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do
not love
God, the Father of us all. The Apostle John tells us, “This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
3
We are all spirit children of our Heavenly Father and, as such, are
brothers and sisters. As we keep this truth in mind, loving all of God’s
children will become easier."
"Brothers
and sisters, some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love
will be within the walls of our own homes. Love should be the very
heart of family life, and yet sometimes it is not. There can be too much
impatience, too much arguing, too many fights, too many tears. Lamented
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Why is it that the [ones] we love [most]
become so frequently the targets of our harsh words? Why is it that
[we] sometimes speak as if with daggers that cut to the quick?”
9
The answers to these questions may be different for each of us, and yet
the bottom line is that the reasons do not matter. If we would keep the
commandment to love one another, we must treat each other with kindness
and respect.
Of course there will be times when discipline needs to be meted out. Let us remember, however, the counsel found in the
Doctrine and Covenants—namely, that when it is necessary for us to reprove another, we afterward show forth an increase of love.
10"
The women who are heart-broken over the disciplinary actions being taken against Kate Kelly have a lot of hurt. There is a reproving possibly coming in the decision that will be made privately by the disciplinary action tonight, but there should be an increase of love for the sisters in Zion who feel slighted and pushed aside. As one woman in Relief Society said today, we often hold others to a
higher standard then the imperfect life we are living ourselves.
I hope we can get back to the business of building up the Kingdom of God.
