My Response to the Swarm of Media on Ordain Women and Kate Kelly

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!) 

 "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers" 

 "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.

3.) Elder Jeffery R. Holland , "The Cost and Blessings of Discipleship"

 

"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.

4.) President Thomas S. Monson, "Love, the Essence of the Gospel"

"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.