Now onto another topic...

this post is probably more like what Jes would post.  I usually stay more towards the light, fluffy subjects but I've been losing some sleep thinking about this.  Women and the Priesthood.  If you don't already know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I was born into the religion and by my own choice, have stayed.

There has been a lot of talk of the role of women in the LDS church.  Women gave prayers for the first time earlier this month in the Semi-annual General Conference the church holds.  And the most interesting of all, "Why don't or can't women hold the Priesthood?"  Let's first start with the prayer issue.

I never noticed that women never prayed in GC.  They prayed in church.  Wasn't that enough?  It was never an issue for me.  My friend, Danielle posted on Facebook this:

I had a great laugh with this.  9 minutes early truly is groundbreaking.  But if you know Danielle, she meant this mostly in jest.  But some people responded very seriously stating that it was "very" important to them that a woman prayed in GC.  Ok.  I get it.  it is groundbreaking.  BUT the woman that prayed at the beginning of the Sunday 2nd session was THE longest prayer ever.  I joked with friends saying "that was the reason women never prayed in GC before because they would be long winded."  ha.  

now onto the podcast.  i finished it this afternoon.  i felt bothered by most everything I heard.  i felt upset.  i felt i needed more answers and needed to hear more women's thoughts on holding the priesthood and gender :inequality" that exists in the LDS church.  let this be known:  i have never felt unequal to a man because he holds the priesthood.  i have never felt put into a box by things i was taught in YW about womanhood and the "role" of a woman.  i personally do not want the responsibility put on a holder of the priesthood.   i know the people debating women and the priesthood will say, "that's fine that you don't want the responsibility but we/i do."  to each their own i say.  

so after feeling slightly frustrated by the podcast, i read some more on "the feminist mormon housewife" and found a article someone recommended entitled "Ruby Slippers on her Feet" by V.H. Cassler who taught political science at BYU for 24 years and currently now at texas A&M.  It helped me understand what these women are feeling but not really validating their reasons for leaving the LDS church.  She made points clear regarding why men and women have different roles in this world and the LDS church.  one point she made was this (and I paraphrase):  that men hold the priesthood as a apprentices on the earth of Heavenly Father and women are apprentices to Heavenly Mother.  so why would a woman want to be an apprentice to become a father?  

now I know some of you readers will not agree with my points or some of you have left the the LDS church. I don't mean to upset you or make you feel judged.  I know everyone has their reasons for leaving but I find this particular reason of gender inequality a little strange.  but that's just my humble opinion.  

~june

(here's the link to the podcast i listened to.)