Thursday, July 3, 2014

Kate Kelly and You - Yes, You.


I don’t like to write angry. So I will try to keep that in check.

And, frankly, I’m a storyteller, not a blogger.  So I will try not to blog here, but simply tell you a story.

I was raised with a very outspoken, brilliant father who remembers the time, date and location of any given historical event, as well as every notable event in his life. His mind is like a treasure trove of quotes that impacted him, and they’re nothing to scoff at. Some of the quotes have become comforting mantras in my life.

My mother is a driven entrepreneur and inventor who rarely sees anything as an obstacle – it was more likely just providing her a scenic route. Her untamable optimism and confidence taught me that I could do anything – anything – if I just kept at it.

My elder brothers were typical. Well, not really. Athletic and good looking (annoyingly good looking to where chicks would inform me of it and run away giggling) and academically blessed, it took a lot for me to keep up with them. And I wanted to. They, too, were good at pretty much anything and I wanted things to come so easy to me – only to realize they pretty much kicked their own asses for all they achieved.

My baby sister – only 2 years younger than I am, but always my baby sis – had her face in a book every time I turned around and her backpack was so heavy that we often expressed concern for her spinal health. But she became this fantastic example of ignoring stupid people while also having the fire to stomp on anyone who tried to serve her a slight. And I mean, on the spot. In the middle of In-N-Out, if you insulted her, she’d put you in your place no matter who heard it.  

As for me, I was a silly kid, imitating a host of celebrities for a laugh whilst also slinging about a sense of humor so dry no one could tell when I was kidding. I wasn’t a teenaged beauty, but I was still bold, still driven by this innate sense that I was meant to bring people together and make them feel at home with me somehow. I was voted Most Inspirational on my championship volleyball team, so while I was goofy, I was dead-serious in succeeding in all things. But, in short, I’m not an angry person. I’m simply not.

I was raised in a family of people who worked hard for what they wanted, were unapologetic about who they were, and were decent and good-hearted. My parents never put limitations on me. It was never a "boy" or "girl" thing if there was something I wanted to do. I played all kinds of sports, was friends with all kinds of people, and was told that I could do and be anything I wanted. My potential was limitless.

So, yeah, I was a pretty happy kid usually. It could have had something to do with being raised Mormon. I was surrounded by such happy, carefree people who didn’t worry about peer pressure, who liked being weirdos, who even loved the opportunity to be mocked for not drinking and hooking up. I mean, sure, we were usually too nerdy to get any offers for parties and sex, but we took pride in that.

So I’m not cool for not puking in the bushes like you? K, loser. Oh, and I’m uncool for not having an STD or pregnancy scare? Yeah, yeah, moron, keeping going on about coolness.

We knew we were kids and we were going to enjoy it.

And so, in a lot of ways, I felt fine with being Mormon and being a Mormon woman. After all, I wasn’t much different from males. Sure, I couldn’t do a pull up, but I was smarter than most of them, had made good choices, and was putting myself aside for the will of the Lord. And the Lord knew I was good for it.

For instance, while I wanted to go to NYU, I felt BYU was where I belonged. (My heart still groans at this. BYU was hell. But I think the Lord did that on purpose, like He was saying, “Don’t be like them, love. DON’T! In fact, once you graduate, RUN!” )

God bless those of you who’ve had wonderful experiences there. Chalk it up to different dispositions and different missions in life.

I worked in the English Department as the dean’s administrative assistant and, of course, majored in English. In no way was I a feminist, nor was I at all liberal in my views – which infuriated my professors. How could I NOT feel and feel and have the feels for every little thing? I didn’t. It was simple. And I didn’t see oppression everywhere and long for vengeance on society and find shame in my white heritage. I didn’t feel oppressed in the church or otherwise, and felt like the world was my apple.

Until I went to a Sunday School class. In it, we discussed Mosiah 8 from the Book of Mormon, which sets forth the differences between a seer and a prophet. I raised my hand and said it seemed that we all have the potential to become these things through our righteousness. And then a fella raised his hand and said, “If you have the priesthood.” Which, in essence meant, “If you’re not a woman.”

I felt my whole face go hot in humiliation.

All this time, my personal feeling that I could be anything my Heavenly Father called me to be was severed by this simple proclamation – I couldn’t because I didn’t have the priesthood. I was limited. I was stunted. Why hadn’t this occurred to me before? I couldn’t be anything and everything possible. No matter the fact that I received intense and clear revelations from my Father in Heaven, that I was more spiritual and intellectual than almost all of my male peers, my prize for my righteousness was that I got to have babies and support my priesthood-holding husband.

Honestly, at the time, it didn’t stick. I moved on happily. I was going to be a writer, I was going to move to New York City, and I was going to make my life what I wanted. Nothing fazed me for years after that.

And then, before I had any prospects for marriage, I decided to go through the temple.

Big mistake. So huge. I can’t even tell you.

I was 24, I was bright, I was analytical, I was already living the covenants fully, so why not? Because I was bright, because I was analytical, because I had questions no one could or would answer.

Upon arriving in the Celestial Room of the temple, my father sat me down and said, “You can ask anything you want in this room.”

Apparently, questioning is fine. Being stunned is fine. Not understanding is perfectly okay. Because there's an answer to all of it. I just had to ask there - right there - in that room. Someone would know. This was where all of the secrets were.
 
I considered it, looked around and said, “Okay. What just happened?”

He laughed. But I was serious. I had no idea what had just happened, what I had just promised of myself, why we were dressed like we were, what it all meant. It made no sense. None. Not even a little.

And as my attendance in the temple become more and more frequent, my questions multiplied and become more and more pressing. People told me to just keep going. Keep going and it’ll all make sense. So I did, but the peace never came, no matter how hard I prayed for it, and my list of questions was lengthening faster and faster.

Even so, I asked. I asked my bishop, his counselor, a temple worker, a stake president counselor, gospel scholars, and I looked at as many books as people could recommend. I didn’t understand. It didn’t make sense.

And then came the kicker.

One day in recent history, in a Relief Society meeting, I asked if anyone could recommend a book on the symbolism of the ceremony within the temple. Not a combative question. Not even a suggestively antagonistic question, but women actually turned in their chairs with their brows down and their eyes wide.

Good gracious, those were stank faces. What had I done?

One woman said that I needed to inquire of the Spirit.

Okaaaaaaaaaay. Well, the Spirit prompted me to ask the question, so sit on that, chick.

Another said that if I wanted the superficial meaning then I would have a superficial experience.

Ummmmmmm, screw you.

And that was it. Those were my answers. That was what I had to work with. A little, “Figure it out, kid!” and the lesson moved on.

I was paralyzed, seething, frustrated, humiliated and, for the first time, lost. Lost. Because for the first time, I thought, “I don’t belong here.”

And I had fought their fights. I had done the Prop 8 garbage (good gracious, that needs a post of its own for its awfulness), paid my tithing, lost friends on Facebook by standing up for the church, and even judged others for doubting.

And I will tell you my questions here, because very few people have been willing to hear them.

In the church, in the Articles of Faith, it says that man will not be punished for Adam’s transgression (thereby eliminated Original Sin), yet in the temple (and also in the book of Moses in the Book of Mormon), because Eve was the first to partake of the fruit, she is to be subjected to her husband. She covenants with him, not with God, and Adam, in turn, covenants with God.  So we’re not punished for Adam’s transgression, but women are limited by Eve’s.

No one has had an answer for that.

Growing up, I was told that I was the last guardian of virtue – not only my own, but that of my partners. If things were moving too far physically, I was the one responsible for stopping us both and preserving our virginity. However, long before that point, I am responsible for men’s thoughts. If I dress in a way that accentuates certain assets, I am helping men have unclean, impure thoughts. Which was weird, because I could see hot dudes running around shirtless, sense an impure thought creeping up, and put it in check, but I was taught that men just can’t do that kind of thing. Yet, they could have the priesthood, receive revelation, be seers, and be the head of my household. No one else sees the problem here? They give us the impression that these dudes are drooling sex fiends, yet they should be trusted with the sexual confessions of young women, married women, single women, and I should be cool leaving my daughter alone with them in an office? On top of that, apparently, dudes will just tear off your panties unless YOU – A WOMAN – stop them, because they’re just dumb animals who can’t contain their appetites, but, yes they should be prophets and you can’t.

Seriously.

Also, the highest level of heaven will be so teaming with women that we will HAVE to have polygamy because women are just more righteous than men. You see? You’re better, more spiritual, stronger, even smarter, but you can’t lead the ward because you’re supposed to be at home with the kids. (This is apparently, a regional teaching, because I was taught this on the regular as a young woman, but not all have heard of it.)

Um, hold on.

Yes, no listen, you’re a mother – it’s the highest calling, the most sacred calling, the most important job.

But anyone can do it.

No, that’s not true.

Yes, it is true. I know women who have children to spite their boyfriends. I know of women who have children to get more welfare. I know women who have children to get men to propose. I know women who’ve gotten knocked up out of wedlock and don’t even know who the father is because they have so many partners. So this isn’t a product of righteousness – it’s simply biology.

 No, but it’s the most important calling if you do it well.

I know non-Mormon women who do it even better than most Mormon women I know.

Fine, but you have a priesthood-holding husband and that’s a blessing in your home.

And he supervises me.

No, he presides over the home.

Okay, tell me how that's different. He has the final say, right?

Yes, he's the leader of the home.

So I can be overridden. Even though I'm called to do this, this is my purpose in my life, this is what I'm made to do, he gets to veto my decisions.

No righteous husband would do that.

But he's still presiding over me and I answer to him.

If you put it that way. But I know your husband, he's a righteous man, and you wouldn't let him boss you around. He brings the priesthood into your home and you hold it together.

No, we don't.

You're a team. I mean, you need each other to progress in the afterlife. You're equals.

No, we're not. People need to drive a car in order to drive on the freeway, but that doesn't make the car an equal.

Is that a fair analogy?

Oh, good, we're talking about fairness now. Finally.

Kate, you have a husband and he loves you and he uses his priesthood to bless you.

But he works all the time. When my kids are sick and need a blessing, I can only pray for them and have to wait for the real blessing when my husband and his home teacher are home from work. That’s a lot of suffering.

Your faithful prayers can heal.

Then why do I need priesthood blessings at all?

Well, okay, but you can use the priesthood in your church calling.

Cool, so if motherhood is the highest calling, the most important and holy, can I put my hands on my children and bless them with my husband?

No, you’ll have to call a home teacher to join him for that.

Why?

Because he has the priesthood.

But this is my calling. I can’t use the priesthood with my husband to bless my children? I know them better than he does. I get them. I know what they need. My spirit will only add to his. Why can’t I just put my hands on my children while he blesses them?

Because it’s a priesthood ordinance and you haven’t been ordained.

But why not?

Because you get to be a mommy!

*facepalm*

Men and women are different. Men are leaders, women are nurturers.

Do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds?

You need to humble yourself and accept your station.

My what? Can you humble yourself and just listen and tell me that you don't have the answer, that there isn't one, that maybe someday we'll get one?

If women get the priesthood, what will men have to inspire them to righteousness? If women can do everything, men will lose interest.

And isn’t that an awesome statement against men? Isn’t that horribly prideful? Shouldn't they humble themselves to serve alongside us?

Kate, you’re splitting hairs. Read the Proclamation. Besides, Church Headquarters employs lots and lots of women. So that helps, right?

What? Are you even sincerely listening to me right now?

If men and women work closely together in callings, that’s a threat to the family. People will commit adultery.

My husband works with women all day every day, and panties stay in place, I assure you.

True, true. But this is all to protect the family. Men and women are different. If women had the priesthood, you’re so amazing that you wouldn’t even need men anymore.

Are you kidding? That’s supposed to make me feel better and make men look better?

I think this is something you need to take to the Lord, and He will give you peace.

I have taken it to the Lord and He’s left me unsettled. I want peace, I want to love it here, but this doesn’t make sense. Where is my badge of righteousness?

Isn’t that a little prideful of you?

No. I’ve earned it. I can be trusted. I am the spiritual, intellectual and emotional equal of any man here.

You have a temple recommend.

So all of my striving, all of my sacrifice, all of my pain and loss is rewarded with a temple recommend?

And a righteous husband.

And my husband still has his agency. If he leaves the church and has his name removed, I’m left twisting. I’m left with nothing but the promise I will be given to someone else in a polygamist relationship in the hereafter. And if my husband remains righteous, he will have multiple wives in order to progress in the priesthood. How is this fair?

All is love in the afterlife.

*self-cutting*

Kate, take it to the Lord.

And I did. And don’t you think Kate Kelly did? And is there a possibility that the Lord instructed her, told her He had a hold of her, and inspired her to maybe, possibly, upset the people who so blithely dismiss hard questions?

I get that people insist that men and women are different. I get that some people think women hold the priesthood and sharing presidencies in the church will lead to all kinds of infidelity, and that giving women the priesthood will mean women will no longer need men (and this is where I inform you that people without religion whatsoever still need companionship, love, intimacy, and support, soooooo…..), and that even acknowledging the chasm of reward between men and woman is heresy, but those of you need to stop panicking.

I don’t think I don’t need my husband. I need him like I need breath. He is my rock, my sanity, my means of gaining wisdom. I cannot live without him. I don’t want to push through this life without him by my side. I simply want our rewards for our sacrifices to actually mean something. And, as of now, they simply don’t. They don’t. And as much as I’m not an advocate of women receiving the priesthood, nor am I a defender of Kate Kelly, I get it. And my questions have not been met with love, or real understanding, or a striving to find the answer. And I think, honestly, it’s because I’m a woman and feminism is a no-no—even if it’s only a woman questioning why my righteousness is hardly regarded while my husband’s is celebrated and rewarded with additional responsibility and prestige.

I have questions with no answers. Many more than listed here, in fact. And if people want to say, “No, you just don’t like the answers,” then, yes, I don’t like fluffy, stupid, illogical answers. No, I don’t. I don’t accept them. Because the Lord has given us too much access, too much wisdom, too much progress for us to go, “Well, that’s all the Lord can do.” I heartily disagree. With what the Lord has asked of me, with the way the Lord has put me at the spiritual helm of many things, I know He has as much faith in me as the men around me.

And the only answer high-profile bloggers - even BISHOP bloggers - have is, "This isn't the church for you. Leave." So you'll say this is the one true church, that if we turn away from the light we've been given we'll be punished, and that there are no second chances for those of us in too much pain to stay, but you're telling us we're not really Mormons anyway and we need to go. Cowardice and intellectual inferiority at its finest, ladies and gentlemen.

If you don't like it, leave - yeah, which means you'll be damned, but it sounds like those pompous ejectors hope that's the case anyway.

But, alas, I simply have to shake my head, and think, “Their loss. Because I’m amazing.” And the Lord could take me elsewhere, and He just might.

31 comments:

  1. Hi Kate,

    We don't know each other, actually I am not even sure how we became FB friends. But we are and so I read your post. Well written and heartfelt, no doubt. I, like you have questions, questions that have gone unanswered for 34 years. I too wish I had answers to my questions but I realize in any church, anywhere on the planet people have questions that can't be answered. I can't think of a religion I would not have questions about. So I am not sure if you would feel you 'belong' more anywhere else. I hope you don't leave, but if you choose to I hope you keep that possibility in mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mormonism is in my blood. I don't feel I belong anywhere else, though I definitely have never fit in with the LDS. If there is any church I go to, it will be a Mormon one. I just hope I can find the love for it that I used to have. There's always hope. Thanks for the line. kj

      Delete
  2. Sometimes everyone is imperfect.

    I have thought so many times about these things and realized the blessing that being a male priesthood holder gives me potential to be on par with faithful women out there.

    Let me explain.

    I was raised in a home with a wonderful faithful mother and faithful father. Not everyone enjoys this blessing. So, awesome for me. I've never seen the perspective of women that feel inferior because they do not hold the priesthood until recently and I'll admit I was dismissive at first. I've never felt my priesthood made me superior, never been able to use my priesthood for gain, never felt like it wasn't just a lot of responsibility for doing the "work" in the church.

    Seeing it now in a different perspective of women feeling less than capable to bless their children, seeing women in pain who don't have worthy husbands, who can't have children, who feel that they cannot bless the lives of their children or receive blessings directly from the Father we share, caused me to think differently because I've never been in this situation. It pains me that people hurt in this way. Seeing your questions and experiences makes me wish I could go to the temple with all my friends as this is one of my favorite things to do! I love talking about everything in the celestial room! I have answers from there all the time. Sitting there talking to friends in hushed but excited voices is the best way to learn what they learned that day. The temple in fact gave me a perspective to this that I will share further down.

    In my home my mother and her faithfulness have served to bless me as much as my father and his faithfulness to his priesthood. I have never separated them because I have received inspiration, guidance, and blessings galore from both. Not only in spiritual matters but also life matters.

    I have been taught that women and men have equal access to blessings directly from the Savior and our Father through prayer in my home. Gender has nothing to do with women's right to directly access the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

    I am glad all this has happened as it has given me proper perspectives on priesthood authority and the role of including women in blessings and healings.

    If people understood the true order of things, faith is the power, priesthood is only the WAY that power is allowed to be used. Does a woman have to lay hands on, receive priesthood, or have authority given her to act as mouthpiece for the spirit of God when blessing a child through prayer? Not one bit. Faithful saints can access priesthood directly from God through faith. To me priesthood is administrative. To me the only real power comes from faith. We do teach that priesthood without faith is dead no?

    So in analyzing current issues and asking my own questions. I was enlightened in the temple about true order.

    In my last blessing before I left home to return to my native California, I asked my mother to bless me with a prayer according to her faith before my father laid his hands on me to give me a father's blessing. Along with her own mothers blessing, I asked that she add her faith to my father in giving me the words I would need in my fathers blessing.

    This was the most complete blessing I have ever received in my life.

    Did I need her to recieve inspiration in her prayer before my father blessed me? Yes. Where do women have the right to inspiration through their faith to bless those they love AND/OR have stewardship over? It is through the power of Jesus Christ directly. Faith in Jesus Christ is what activates priesthood authority and power. Is direct access available to all women AND men? Yes.

    Also, I was never taught that it is a woman's responsibility to regulate a man's libido. Who taught you such things? Everyone needs to be modest and watch their thoughts words and deeds. Why does this need to be different according to gender?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a beautiful heart you have. Thank you for sharing with me such sweet moments with your family. You've given me some things to consider. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. I loved this perspective. It reminds me of an experience I had as an 18 year old. I suffer from severe anxiety and on one particular day I drove myself to the dentist to have some work done on my teeth (I have extra anxiety abt dentists because when I was really young one started drilling in my teeth before the Novocain set in). Anyway, the assistant noticed I was distressed and asked if I'd like some laughing gas. Of course I said yes. It didn't work though, I started to feel funny and think strange thoughts and that distressed me even more so I mentally fought through it. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't brave enough to say anything about my concerns to anyone, I was completely distressed and stuck inside my head. Well, I prayed and I asked for a fathers blessing from my Heavenly Father. I needed one and I needed it NOW! He gave it to me. I immediately felt calm and reassured (keep in mind I have SEVERE anxiety). I will never forget that moment and the strength that Heavenly Father gave me and the immediate access to the priesthood that I had through prayer. I don't have a point here. I just felt like sharing my experience.

      Delete
    3. Kyle , loved your comments and perspective, but I was taught in MIA, old school for Young Women's, that girls were in more control over the physical aspects of the relationship than guys were. Even my Mom confirmed what I was taught at church. As I gained more dating experience, I rejected that antiquated notion and taught my sons and daughter that everyone is responsible for their own behavior. But I definitely heard those lessons at church. Too bad those ideas are still being taught.

      Delete
    4. Why would one need a Priesthood member blessing when you can receive one from your Mother (a woman) or better yet; directly receiving a blessing from God himself?

      Delete
    5. I wish we didn't teach out YW that they are responsible for the name Lubbock, but we do. Every general conference talk that says that young women better not wear tight shirts or they will ,"become porn to the young men, " is saying exactly that. It's so interesting, though... Perhaps the young men are not taught the same as exlicitly... But they do get the message covertly, our so many would not be policing how long skirts are or the difference between a died short and a thought one...

      Your story of the blessings is so lovely! Thank you for sharing a more complete understanding.

      Delete
  3. Katherine,

    I don't know you, but I weep with you and want to give you a big hug.

    I'm so sorry people said and taught such lame, lame things. They know not the damage they've caused.

    I realize that sometimes we just want to vent and we're not looking for problem-solving per se, but just in case it is of worth to you, I wrote something in response to this post. Well, this post among others. It's my take on the temple. I humbly submit it to you:
    http://ohwellmormon.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-take-on-temple.html

    With love, Monique

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I greatly appreciate how your mind works and a very different way of thinking about things. (I was never sciency, so this was interesting.) -kj

      Delete
    2. Katherine, evidently you got me on a roll. I agree with you and so many others, the Church could do more to prepare people for the temple. People who come from other religious actually have an easier time, and that doesn't seem right.

      http://ohwellmormon.blogspot.com/2014/07/working-with-symbolism-handy-guide.html

      Delete
  4. So glad this came across my feed. Thank you for sharing your process of questioning. Too often we are shut down at the first hint of an objectionable question, we clam up and don't even get to the "real" questions. We need to be able to talk about hard things in this church! I am sick and tired of feeling like it's all my fault that I'm not at peace with the status quo. Perhaps a little more intense scripture study? More sincere prayer? No. Those things have never brought me enlightenment, only a little more peace with my unanswered questions. I am no longer content with the answer that it will all work itself out in the hereafter. I want to talk about it here and now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, ma'am! I didn't want to write this post - as you can see, it's my first! But I had no rest and accomplished little else until I spilled it all out and hit "publish." Not an easy thing to relive and it's even harder to know so many other women have struggled - sincerely and brokenheartedly - only to be dismissed and judged. I'm sorry you've been shut down. It's such a lonely feeling.

      Delete
  5. I loved this. Thank you for writing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. That means a lot. It was difficult to relive and write, but I couldn't sleep until it was done. So I'm glad you appreciated it. Thanks.

      Delete
  6. i also just remembered that i stayed at your house once in CA. took a road trip and crashed at the jeffries overnight.

    ReplyDelete
  7. thank you for writing your thoughts. (you are very talented) i was in your brothers ward in UT at the riv - he was one of my favorite people. anyway thanks for helping me unscramble some of the things i had been feeling. you have a great way with words. and now i'm off to amazon to buy your book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember you. I think you're one of the very few Meredith's I've met, so I'd never forget such a lovely woman with such a beautiful name. And I'm glad you connected with this post. I had no idea anyone would, truthfully.

      Delete
  8. Kyle, you beautifully articulated what those who are wonderful, faithful Christians know about the priesthood. It is accessible to both men and women through Jesus Himself, who is our Great High Priest. This power has been with men and women through the ages through Jesus alone. The priesthood wasn't "taken from the earth", needing to be "restored". Temple worship of old was never done as it is in Mormon temples today. The requirement of priesthood authority and power only being bestowed by the laying on of hands is unbiblical. These are all claims of Joseph Smith, and all those who believed and followed him. I was born in the covenant, married in the temple, etc., child of polygamous ancestors on both sides of my family. Kate, thank you for expressing your quandaries so well, giving voice to many.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I'm a powerful woman and I know my power has truly blessed my children. Those experiences are so, so sacred to me. I wish more women knew the impact they could have instead of waiting for their husbands to take the helm. Thank you for your input and support. I had no idea this post would reach so far. It's sad and wonderful at once.

      Delete
  9. Saw this posted on fb by a friend and wanted to thank you for your words. I too have many questions as an LDS women and feel completely shut down. I feel like my only options are to sit down and shutup or to leave, and that is a horrible place to be. Solidarity, sister.

    Also, there is an essay by a mormon scholar on the temple as it pertains to women. It's a hard read, but the best and clearest explanation I have ever been given for the ceremony, and it made a lot of things click for me. It's not sunshine and rainbows, though, so be warned. And I realize it's posted at a feminist site, but don't let that scare you off.

    http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/2014/04/the-mormon-priestess-the-short-version/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to work my way through this. Thank you, Rachael.

      Delete
  10. Hey, hi. I feel like your post gave me some insight into the LDS perspective on this, and I really appreciate that. Thanks for writing this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I didn't know I have these feelings and these kinds of experiences in common with so many, so, sadly, it could be considered a valid "LDS perspective."

      Delete
  11. Katherine,

    A thoughtful piece. My better half sent it over to me in the middle of my work day. She's home fighting the good fight with people small of stature (aka our kids), while I'm ensconced in a comfortable, air conditioned office, blithely dealing with adults (and, no, it is not lost on me which one of us deserves the greater compensation for their efforts).

    "Take a look at this," she said, because "I've had some of these questions, too, and I want to discuss with you."

    I have no idea what kind of answers I'll be able to give or even if they'll be thoughtful responses. I don't know that I've got the answers. I grew up in a pretty typical LDS household with "goodly parents" of the conservative type, and I would be remiss if I didn't admit that I've heard more than a few of those answers (the ones you've listed above) in response to questions and conversations. (Though that whole ripping off panties thing may be regional, as you say. It seems like the reasons given to my sisters was always something more along the lines of modesty...and, being the conservatives that my parents are, going bare chested was frowned upon for me, as well). Women create while men have the priesthood, men preside and women support (though, to be honest, it often seemed like Dad led...as long as Mom let him), that we'll all have polygamy in the next life, and so on. Scary thought, perhaps, that last one.

    A lotta culture mixed in with the doctrine, I suspect.

    To be honest, I don't know how I'll respond when my better half poses the questions to me tonight. I don't know that I've got answers, and sometimes I feel like my depth in the gospel is just enough to get through the day, teach an occasional lesson at Church, and fulfill whatever assignment I've got at the time. My better half and I have a good thing going, but we're not perfect, it's not always clear who's calling the shots--or who should be calling the shots--but we've committed to do it together, to work together, and to work through whatever comes our way. And, part of that solution, at least as far as I can tell, is that we believe that commitment that we've got with God to see it through. We do our part, and He does his. (People are people, and the Church itself is full of people, but God is a different story).

    That doesn't mean that I understand the answers. Or, perhaps better said, I don't know what the answers are.

    But I still believe it's true. I still believe in the scriptures, prophets, and Restoration. I still believe it's God's work, and that He is at the helm. I can only hope that I can find some inspiration, a tender mercy along the way, that can get us--our family--all back home in the end.

    Anyway, thanks for your thoughts. I hope you won't be angry. We're all humans, and we've all got a lot to learn. That's the whole point of the gospel, isn't it? To make bad people good, and good people better?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your sincerity leapt out of my screen. And thank you for it. All I was trying to do with this post was humanize the questioner, illustrate the frustrations and show the contradicting answers in our culture. None of these answers are doctrines, but mentalities or theories that need to be eradicated or confirmed. I suppose it was just my effort to show that I'm not a horrible person, I'm not stupid and I'm not trying to cause a fight - I'm just confused and I hate dismissal when I feel like we should all be questioning, all be striving for more and better. I hope you and your wife find peace and continue the struggle, as we will here. Thank you for your words.

      Delete
    2. Hi Katherine, I love this post so much! I love the clarity of your writing and I love how your thought process works :)

      Being a faithful gay man with a bright and burning testimony of the restoration, Book of Mormon, etc. I have also had a TON of questions. Here's what I've learned from decades of prayerful searching: Our relationship with the church isn't meant to be quite so dependent, where the church is God's "answer" service and we the docile dunces. Rather, the church is simply the womb of our faith and the gentle hand that helps us learn to stand/walk/and run.

      The church is like the guiding hand that helps steady us as we learn to ride a bike. But once we can stand on our own, walk on our own, run on our own, and then bike across the country, we don't need the church the way we did before. Instead, the church becomes a warm home at the end of the day (or cool - because summer). So don't bog yourself down with expecting others to have the answers to the tough questions. They don't.

      But you do. Search your soul with the light of Christ as your guide, and you'll know when the church doesn't quite have it right. .. because they don't. This is a gospel still being restored, one piece at a time, as the faithful hearts and minds of the members (and leaders) are ready to receive it. Exercise patience with the church. It's a huge organization that really has to move at the speed of the majority. If you're ahead of the curve, you can expect to feel it.

      But add your faith to theirs, add your love to theirs, add your shoulder to theirs, and you will find peace. In the meantime, you will value the relationship that develops between you and the Lord as you seek and find, because there will be no one other than yourself who has guided you there. You will come to know him as only a discoverer of mysteries can know him! He will speak peace to your heart concerning all your questions, and he will bring light to your eyes so that you can walk forward in faithful confidence - even and especially when you learn something that doesn't jive with current official doctrine - but you know.

      Allow yourself to redefine your relationship with the church without having to love it less, or leave it behind. We outgrow our parents but that doesn't mean we love them less, or even need them less. It's just... different. I hope this makes sense to you and can help you find the answers you're looking for. You certainly have the mind for it!

      Good luck and God bless!

      Delete
    3. Your response to Katy's posting was wonderful! You managed to articulate what I've been trying to do in my life as I desperately hold on to the Church while being full of questions. Thank you for being vulnerable and walking the challenging path. You've helped me on my path.

      Delete
    4. Jobi, thank you. You know when you read something so touching that you feel so warm that you don't want to move for a few minutes so it won't dislodge the calm? I'm trying really hard to sit still. So thank you for your exquisite wisdom and sharing your strong and lovely heart with me and others. It has helped me shift my perspective just enough, possibly, to return with some strength and mercy to my church house. It's been a tough place for me lately and I appreciate your faithfulness and your striving amidst so much confusion and, well, just lacking. I think I will be rereading your comment frequently as I try to regain some footing. Thank you.

      Delete
  12. Kate, thank you for such beautiful and powerful words. Regarding the symbolism and meaning of the temple ordinances. I highly recommend a book just published this summer by University of Utah Press. Author Michael Homer. The book is called, "Joseph's Temples: The Dynamic Relationship between Freemasonry and Mormonism." It could be helpful for those trying to understand the symbolism.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Facebook gave me this post as a 'related link'. I really appreciate you writing this. The church needs to know that MANY women, including non-feminists, have these questions, and they are not going to go away.

    ReplyDelete