No Strength Without Struggle

I didn't really feel prompted to bombard the lds social media world with one more mommy blog post regarding hard doctrines that have recently raised quite a buzz in the Mormon world (until now! mer). Well, Prop 8 launched it awhile ago and since then some members have really battled with standing convicted when it comes to defined marriage between man and woman. (the fact that we have to define it is troubling)

And then comes the Ordain Women movement and a lot of people started associating that with feminism and I would like to keep those two things separated . . . But in any case, people developed strong opinions. 

At first I saw them as two separate issues, but I recently discovered the link (besides apostasy, mer). Family. {I know, I'm a little slow} Ah why yes, we all just thought the Proclamation in 1995 sounded nice? The prophets and apostles warn and prepare. I think it is fascinating to see how inspired it truly was. And then to take thought to what else we have been warned about or prepared for . . .

In order to understand and obey hard doctrines or even the small and simple things, we need to first have a testimony of our Savior. We need to pray to know whether or not He lives and knows us personally. This video is amazing. I'm grateful that Easter reminds us about the most significant event in our history. Everything would be for not, if it wasn't for Him. (let's overshadow the bunnies & eggs completely)

The rest of this post extends mostly to members of the LDS faith and I know it's a very sensitive topic and I hope my comments are just reflective in nature and not condemning in any way.

So, a few women want the Priesthood. For me that came out of left field, coming from members within the church any way. And then in the way they sort of… demanded it was awkward to say the least. But I think people got their opinions out, and although I'm all for women in leadership, I think we always have to follow where the Spirit tells us we should lead. And it's pretty hard to find better answers than from the mouth of the latter day prophets and apostles. I tend to struggle more with ambiguity than with specific guidance. Especially when, in the church, we lay priority on prayer and study to seek personal revelation/confirmation for ourselves. And then personal revelation should remain in your heart and in the way you act (because only the prophet receives revelation for the entire church). I think it's more than great that we have access to the companionship of the Holy Ghost because we took on that covenant of baptism and try our best to follow Christ. I have never felt happier than when I hear the voice of the Savior whether out of the mouth of a living prophet or from those centuries ago - a voice that not only comforts, but also inspires. Even when not all the dots align, I have always found strength in putting my faith in God. I am grateful for the roles that women and men uniquely fill within the workplace, the church & the home. I'm grateful for the restored Priesthood power on the earth and for the men that hold it worthily. It's a blessing to us all. 

All this sameness talk seems really … exaggerated. There are just a lot of generalizations out there, but I have yet had to deal with glaring sexism outside of my husbands lovable humor when he tells me to get back into the kitchen. I stab him with my eyes. I'm sure there are tons of examples where women are overlooked or looked at for the wrong reasons because of their gender (I didn't go on to grad school or try my hands at a management career), but I just wish people would realize that we don't need to be exactly like men nor treated exactly like men. Human? yes. But like men? I'm good. Wear a skirt if you want to, boys (please don't). I believe in standing up for anyone who is pushed down, but I can tell you plenty of times where I was favorably accepted because I was a woman. But no one wants to count those cards. (I'm sure they are less. Don't hurt me "feminists"). I think we work well together when we really seek to magnify our individual callings & live our passions - within the collective whole - instead of trying to become our neighbor… or husband.

I think the struggle with same-sex attraction is harder even though I know I shouldn't compare trials. I'm a firm believer that trials are specific to a person for a divine reason. Your trials will help you reach your potential. We tread water when we start placing ourselves in the shoes of others just to say how we would have done things differently. Self righteousness happens when we think we're better than anyone in any way. I don't know what it's like to be attracted to the same gender. I've read/heard many personal stories and I feel for those who do struggle with this because it seems as if there is a universal sense of loneliness and confusion that initially attacks the heart and perhaps is still difficult to push aside. We have all certainly felt the despair of loneliness, but although who you are attracted to doesn't define you, I know how much I've talked about dating and boys in my young adult life and I can see how your questions would extend well beyond the casual dating woes.

However, it seems the majority steps on egg shells not to offend. And the minority tells us to be kinder than Christ (basically). Ah I'm not sure they understand. Christ loved those who society cast aside, but he never tolerated sin (just to confirm, the attraction is not the sin, but acting on it is). Truly, the offense rests with the offended (I'm not saying forgiveness is easy). No one is saying individuals should be bullied or neglected. That wouldn't be Christ-like. But on the other hand, many argue that we should accept same-sex attraction and allow humans to please themselves in whatever way they see fit. That wouldn't be Christ-like either. I'm not sure how gender attraction is defined for a person. I.e. I understand it's not my place to say whether or not you might be born with a same-sex attraction that can't be overcome, in the sense that you will one day like the opposite gender. I will be excited when it's all understood. 

But for now, I understand it as an inclination that might never go away in this life. I admire those members who appreciate themselves and fight to live temple worthy, which means you value chastity just like any single latter-day saint. That brings us to marriage between man and woman, which I still believe is how God designed our bodies and our family so I will fight for it. And it is sad that some may choose never to experience the joys found in such a marriage, but I trust if it doesn't happen in this life, that you can have such opportunities for that joy in the eternities. I know God did not design some bodies that could not receive the fulness. Agency must exist.  I know that God would not lay out an eternal plan that centers on a wife and husband being eternally sealed as a family unit without us all having access to that glory.

The dividing wall is getting thicker. The right side is getting smaller. It will take a lot of strength to stand tall and firm. With that comes an equal amount of resistance.

As a mother, I fear for her struggles, but I want her to find strength within them.