With Ordain Women again attempting to attend the priesthood session of LDS Conference, it seems a weak argument when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says, “Women in the church, by a very large majority, do not share … advocacy for priesthood ordination for women and consider that position to be extreme” [“Ask Not,” April 3, City Weekly].
Was not polygamy or priesthood for males of black African descent extreme? Did church members not obey these “extreme” new revelations?
LDS members have an extraordinary history of accepting new doctrine. I doubt anything could be more agonizing and extreme for women (and men) than Joseph Smith’s proclamation in 1831 about polygamy.
Also difficult was when Spencer W. Kimball in 1978 announced that, “He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the church may receive the holy priesthood…”
If, one day, church authorities state that “every faithful, worthy [woman] in the church may receive the holy priesthood,” I believe members would obey this new revelation, just as they have in the past obeyed other new revelations.
In an interview about his new book, Call to Action, former President Jimmy Carter asserts that many religions practice sexism. And as men are usually the ones in authority, why would they wish to give up and share with women their power?
Still, kudos to Ordain Women and many others who keep striving for equality.
Sarah Smith
Salt Lake City
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