There seems to be a trend of LDS Feminist activity going around that has saddened me greatly. Ever since the announcement of the missionary age change in October General Conference, I have seen more blog posts and comments to those blog posts about equal rights for women in the church. I am not one to take a stand on such issues usually. I feel that people are entitled to their views and opinions even if I don't always agree.
Today that changed. I read an article Mormon Women Plan to Wear Pants that made me sad. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a woman, I felt the need to share my thoughts.
I do not believe that men and women are unequal in the church. We have our own divine roles that our Heavenly Father, who created us, gave us. We were created as separate beings. Men and women both have roles. We have been taught that these roles must work together to work properly. Women cannot bring forth life without a man and men need the support of the women in the Priesthood. The roles each play are different but not unequal. I feel that if we were to be equal, meaning same responsibilities and roles, we would have been created the same and given the same roles. I am not unhappy about my role as a woman. I may be called old fashioned but I believe that as a woman in the gospel, my role is to nurture the family and support my husband in his role as the Priesthood holder for our family. I do not see this role as being less or unequal to my husband. We are united in marriage and equal partners in that marriage with seperate but divine roles.
I do not understand why some things appear to be unequal, such as the age and length of time sister missionaries can serve, but I do know that these guidelines were set forth by our Heavenly Father through Prophets. I know that they are there for a specific purpose even if I do not know what that purpose may be. My job is to have faith that what is set forth is right and correct. So will I wear pants on Sunday? No. I do not believe in the cause. I am happy to be a woman in the role I have been given. I do not want that to change.
