Common Misconceptions about Mormon Feminists

Mormon feminists have gotten a lot of attention in the media lately. Because they are a minority in the church, its become quite popular to slander and spread false information about Ordain Women and other groups. I agree with some parts of their agenda and disagree with others, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that they are real people with valid concerns who just want to be heard.

The following are some of the more common misconceptions that have been spreading through the Mormon community. Please, whether you agree with them or not, at least do some research before you post your opinions.

1. “Mormon feminists want to be men, more like men, hate men, etc.” Totally not true. Most mofems are happy to be who they are. They’re only looking for better representation in the church. Some seek the priesthood. That’s it.

2. “Ordain Women is trying to undermine the church”. Not true. Most are faithful, active members of the church and plan to stay that way. They want the church to be successful in our current day. They want women to have an easier time in the church.

3. “Mofems are apostates or will soon be apostates if they don’t shape up”. I’ve actually read in one article about how the author feels so sorry and worried that the women participating in the OW demonstrations will end up going “the wrong way”. I think that’s really funny, because if they wanted to leave the church, they would have already done it instead of working to change it.

4. “Ordain Women is demanding priesthood ordination here and now”. Well, sortof, but not really. They simply want the prophet to ask about it and receive a revelation. After all, that’s what we’re told his job is, and if that sort of thing doesn’t happen anymore, I think more than just OW will be asking questions.

5. “If women have the priesthood, they won’t need men anymore”. That’s interesting. When I think of how I need my husband, I think about his strength, compassion, personality, and his relationship with my children and me. I don’t stick with him because of his priesthood- in fact, I’m pretty sure I’d still love him just the same if he didn’t have it.

6. “Mofems hate stay-at-home-moms”. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many mofems, including prominent leaders of the feminist boards and groups are SAHMs. In fact, most of the Mormon Feminists who I know personally stay home with their kids and love cooking, sewing and gardening.

7. “They are uniformed about the gospel. If they had actually read the scriptures they would know that women can’t hold the priesthood.” This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, its the scriptures and words of modern day prophets that led Ordain Women to exist in the first place.

8. “They are seeking power and recognition”. Maybe. But if you browse through ordainwomen.org, I think they voice their motives pretty clearly. It looks to me like they want women in leadership positions, they want women to be able to administer blessings and the sacrament, and in all ways, they want to be equal in the church.

9. “They’re wrong for asking the prophet because if God wanted them to have the priesthood, they’d have it by now”. I remember a very similar argument being said about the development of aviation. Historically, the church as an organisation has been fluid enough to change whenever there was a need. Some examples would be the Word of Wisdom, Blacks receiving the priesthood, and the recent change in missionary age. The church has never claimed to be a finished product, in fact, quite the opposite. We have a prophet and the powers of revelations so that the church can continue to meet the needs of its ever evolving membership.

There are several more of these misconceptions that are posted in an article on FairMormonBlog.

I hope that this post will be informative and not offensive or too challenging to my reader(s). My intentions are purely to stop the poop slinging that I continue to read from LDS sources. I am embarrassed for the conduct of some of my fellow church members and hope that we will be more open to hearing the needs of our sisters in the church. Even if we don’t agree with them, they are still valuable people with real feelings and valid concerns. Your faith is not at risk by showing compassion to someone who’s different.

 

And to poke a little fun: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/11/10-reasons-why-men-shouldnt-be-ordained/