I would like to discuss my thoughts on feminist issues in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is a controversial subject that has become quite prominent as of late. It almost seems over-discussed, though not so much that I am unwilling to throw in my two bits.
First of all, I would like to say that it bothers me when people treat LDS feminism as either an apostate movement or a non-issue. I have seen so many comments on facebook pages or online articles to the effect of: "This is so dumb. The Church isn't sexist." or "Sheesh. Maybe men should petition to be able to breastfeed." I have seen a lot of eye-rolling and head shaking over the issue, mostly from the sisters. Many loving sisters try to explain to feminists that there really isn't any inequality in the Church and that with enough faith and understanding of the doctrine, the "problem" of feminism can be overcome. Though this approach seems much preferable to the extreme negativity of the former, it still lacks understanding.
It is not wrong, nor is it unprecedented for members to petition the leaders of the church for change. These petitions often lead to change. I would like to point out one instance of this pattern that I find particularly applicable. A history is recorded in Numbers, chapter 27, of five sisters who came to Moses with a problem. Their father had died, and because he had no sons, his property was "done away." These five women stood before the leaders of the church and asked:
"Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore, a possession among the brethren of our father."
Moses then took the matter to the Lord who answered:
"The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause his inheritance to pass unto them."
"And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter."
Not only did the Lord grant that these women receive their father's inheritance, he instructed Moses to make a policy change that affected all of Israel.
Many LDS women have petitioned for various changes in the Church. My personal feelings on the specifics are mixed. I do not wish to make them the main subject of this post. However, one thing is for certain; the leaders of the Church do not ignore these petitions.
Recently, many faithful LDS women formed a movement called "Let Women Pray." It was a request to the leadership of the Church to invite women to pray in General Conference. In the most recent Conference, this request was granted, and two women were given the great honor of praying for the Church. So what does it mean that the leaders "gave in" to feminist requests? Does it mean that the General Authorities were wrong all this time about only allowing men to pray in Conference? In that same Conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk that addressed this issue. He said:
"Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don't hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. ...
So be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work."*
The Church has made several policy changes throughout the years, big and small. People have left the Church over changes like extending the priesthood to all worthy males, or in the design of the temple garment. How can we know what is doctrine, what is tradition, what can change and what will never change? Again, I believe Elder Holland's talk can help.
"When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your "unbelief." ... Let me be clear on this point: I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. ...Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don't let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle."*
I believe it is important to try to get the spirit of discernment and to learn all we can. Most importantly, however, when we find ourselves struggling because of imperfections or unexpected changes in the Church, we need to hang on to what we do know. And if others have issues with a practice in the Church, we shouldn't be too hasty to assume they are wrong, because this church is still imperfect, and having a concern isn't the same as lacking faith.
We must find for ourselves what the fundamentals are--the things that will not change. Each son or daughter of God can build his or her testimony of the gospel line upon line, precept upon precept, holding tight to truths gained, and ever seeking for greater conviction about the truths that really matter.
These things I personally know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to be unchanging: the nature of the Godhead, the importance and divine configuration of the family, the Restoration of the Church, the reality of the Atonement, and the fact that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father who will reward righteousness and our genuine efforts to find truth and be faithful despite our most difficult questions.
.
It is not wrong, nor is it unprecedented for members to petition the leaders of the church for change. These petitions often lead to change. I would like to point out one instance of this pattern that I find particularly applicable. A history is recorded in Numbers, chapter 27, of five sisters who came to Moses with a problem. Their father had died, and because he had no sons, his property was "done away." These five women stood before the leaders of the church and asked:
"Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore, a possession among the brethren of our father." Moses then took the matter to the Lord who answered:
"The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause his inheritance to pass unto them."
"And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter."
Not only did the Lord grant that these women receive their father's inheritance, he instructed Moses to make a policy change that affected all of Israel.
Many LDS women have petitioned for various changes in the Church. My personal feelings on the specifics are mixed. I do not wish to make them the main subject of this post. However, one thing is for certain; the leaders of the Church do not ignore these petitions.
Recently, many faithful LDS women formed a movement called "Let Women Pray." It was a request to the leadership of the Church to invite women to pray in General Conference. In the most recent Conference, this request was granted, and two women were given the great honor of praying for the Church. So what does it mean that the leaders "gave in" to feminist requests? Does it mean that the General Authorities were wrong all this time about only allowing men to pray in Conference? In that same Conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk that addressed this issue. He said:
"Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don't hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. ...
So be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work."*
The Church has made several policy changes throughout the years, big and small. People have left the Church over changes like extending the priesthood to all worthy males, or in the design of the temple garment. How can we know what is doctrine, what is tradition, what can change and what will never change? Again, I believe Elder Holland's talk can help.
I believe it is important to try to get the spirit of discernment and to learn all we can. Most importantly, however, when we find ourselves struggling because of imperfections or unexpected changes in the Church, we need to hang on to what we do know. And if others have issues with a practice in the Church, we shouldn't be too hasty to assume they are wrong, because this church is still imperfect, and having a concern isn't the same as lacking faith.
We must find for ourselves what the fundamentals are--the things that will not change. Each son or daughter of God can build his or her testimony of the gospel line upon line, precept upon precept, holding tight to truths gained, and ever seeking for greater conviction about the truths that really matter.
These things I personally know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to be unchanging: the nature of the Godhead, the importance and divine configuration of the family, the Restoration of the Church, the reality of the Atonement, and the fact that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father who will reward righteousness and our genuine efforts to find truth and be faithful despite our most difficult questions.
.
*"Lord, I Believe" Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng
images:
1. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Daughters_of_Zelophehad.jpg
2. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bhutan_-_Flickr_-_babasteve_(86).jpg
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