As the title of this post says, tonight is not the time for this blog--a blog about many of my views on feminism in relation to Mormon doctrine and culture--to be written.
And so I'm not going to write it.
Instead, I am just going to say that I should know better than to expect full, Christian love from the imperfect people around me. Especially because I am not perfect. But honestly, I am tired of feeling my heart torn in two by members of the Church who condemn one another. I am not trying to condemn those who are doing much of the condemning, because I have been one of them before, I see their viewpoint. And I am so imperfect myself. But oh, how I wish they could see the pain they are causing so many people through their words and interpretation of doctrine. I wish we all (including myself) could understand the Atonement better in order to realize that Christ came to heal the sick. Which is me, and you, and those who ask questions, and those who are still afraid to ask.
Please remember that those who ask questions about difficult issues are most likely (meaning, almost definitely) not trying to rebel against God. They're just trying to reach out to Christ to find the healing they need. And these people include your family members, your neighbors, an old investigator from your mission, and that random guy walking down the street. It includes me. And it probably even includes you, in one way or another.
Yes, I am a feminist, even if I am often hesitant in publicly proclaiming it.
Yes, I support my church leaders and am grateful for them, their revelation, and their counsel.
Yes, I am a Mormon. More importantly, I'm striving to be a true disciple of Christ. A Christian.
Yes, those all can go hand-in-hand.
I will probably write a longer, more specific blog about some questions and thoughts I have on gender-equality/feminism in the Church later, on a day when it is less of an emotional question for me, and when it's not after midnight. But for now, these are the thoughts of my heart: striving towards the love of Christ. If you have any questions about where I stand as a feminist (especially in the Church), please email me. We'll chat. Until then.
And so I'm not going to write it.
Instead, I am just going to say that I should know better than to expect full, Christian love from the imperfect people around me. Especially because I am not perfect. But honestly, I am tired of feeling my heart torn in two by members of the Church who condemn one another. I am not trying to condemn those who are doing much of the condemning, because I have been one of them before, I see their viewpoint. And I am so imperfect myself. But oh, how I wish they could see the pain they are causing so many people through their words and interpretation of doctrine. I wish we all (including myself) could understand the Atonement better in order to realize that Christ came to heal the sick. Which is me, and you, and those who ask questions, and those who are still afraid to ask.
Please remember that those who ask questions about difficult issues are most likely (meaning, almost definitely) not trying to rebel against God. They're just trying to reach out to Christ to find the healing they need. And these people include your family members, your neighbors, an old investigator from your mission, and that random guy walking down the street. It includes me. And it probably even includes you, in one way or another.
Yes, I am a feminist, even if I am often hesitant in publicly proclaiming it.
Yes, I support my church leaders and am grateful for them, their revelation, and their counsel.
Yes, I am a Mormon. More importantly, I'm striving to be a true disciple of Christ. A Christian.
Yes, those all can go hand-in-hand.
I will probably write a longer, more specific blog about some questions and thoughts I have on gender-equality/feminism in the Church later, on a day when it is less of an emotional question for me, and when it's not after midnight. But for now, these are the thoughts of my heart: striving towards the love of Christ. If you have any questions about where I stand as a feminist (especially in the Church), please email me. We'll chat. Until then.
