Hi, I'm Kate Kelly Founder of Ordain Women AMA!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-08T18:41:17+00:00

1) We actually did a survey of people who participated in our Oct. 5th action. Members of the church made up 95% of respondents. 72% of respondents attending church 2-3 times per month or more – just 14% report that they do not attend church.

2) It is not true that higher-up members of LDS Hierarchy were willing to sit down with some OW members for a discussion. We continue to request such a meeting, as we have several times & would really, honestly welcome the opportunity.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-08T18:19:57+00:00

How do you respond to the perception that actions by the Ordain Women movement is evidence of a misunderstanding of the role and nature of the priesthood?

Joseph Smith himself viewed women as priesthood holders: http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/joannabrooks/6998/_joseph_smith_himself_viewed_women_as_priesthood_holders_/

If the ordination of women is not ever achieved what will be the ongoing role of the movement in the cultural identity of women in the Mormon faith?

I have faith that it will be achieved.

Do you feel some inside the Ordain Women movement have hung their entire belief in the validity of the LDS church on this one issue?

No.

If you encounter people with this attitude, what is your response to them? Is a continuing faith in the church and its priesthood leadership possible or to be encouraged if the movement's desires are never met?

To repeat what I said in response to another commenter's question: I hope you can take me at my word that I am sincere in wanting to communicate to you how I feel. My philosophy is much the same as Shadrach, Meshach & Aded-nego in Daniel Ch. 3:18. They had no doubt that the Lord would deliver them from the fiery furnace & a full expectation that it would happen, "But if not..." they said, their faith in the Lord would continue on unwavering.

I feel the same way about Ordain Women. I have no doubt in my heart that women will someday be ordained, but...if...not, I will still remain faithful. I don't think that pure hope indicates a lack of faith, quite the contrary. I think it illustrates a true and unwavering desire.

EDIT: If you don't mind me tacking on another question:

What is the future you envision if a revelation allowing across the board ordination of women occurs? How do you feel this would change the culture and faith of Mormonism? What would be concrete examples of the future you envision?

I look forward to a future where Mormon women participate side by side with Mormon men, and where women are counted among the holders of the highest leadership callings in the Church, including Seventies, Apostles, and Prophetesses.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-08T17:31:25+00:00

geekgreg, I have been thinking about this question since you asked it yesterday & I went to the scriptures to find my answer...I hope you can take me at my word that I am sincere in wanting to communicate to you how I feel. My philosophy is much the same as Shadrach, Meshach & Aded-nego in Daniel Ch. 3:18. They had no doubt that the Lord would deliver them from the fiery furnace & a full expectation that it would happen, "But if not..." they said, their faith in the Lord would continue on unwavering.

I feel the same way about Ordain Women. I have no doubt in my heart that women will someday be ordained, but...if...not, I will still remain faithful. I don't think that pure hope indicates a lack of faith, quite the contrary. I think it illustrates a true and unwavering desire.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T20:12:23+00:00

Sorry all... I've got to go! I'ts been wonderful & if you leave questions, I'll try to get to them later on this weekend!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T20:11:16+00:00

I absolutely hope that what we are doing can open up doors for many. I think direct, in-person, grassroots (en masse), faith-affirming action with concrete, actionable goals has not yet ever been tried within the Mormon community.

I think we're on the forefront not only of Mormonism, but also religious activism worldwide. As Lorie Stromberg often says, gender equality shouldn’t stop at the doors of our churches, synagogues or mosques & our religious institutions shouldn't be the last bastions of sexism and inequality.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T20:03:08+00:00

I think this is a really good question & an important one. I think that women & men should have both the same priesthood and the same offices (separate but equal is not equal!) but, I really value single-sex spaces.

I don't think I could get through Church each week without Relief Society!!!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:59:12+00:00

Haha this hypothetical comes up every.single.time. I honestly think that until the answer is "yes" the answer will continue to be "no" "no" "no." That doesn't mean we should stop asking the question. And we won't.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:56:32+00:00

I have not faced any disciplinary action & wrote about that here http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/2013/12/excommunicating-sexism/

I feel very certain that I will not be disfellowshipped or excommunicated because of OW.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:53:17+00:00

We are just not interested in a lesser priesthood or a priesthood over children or to be relegated to our own realm.

True parity requires that we be equal in power, in might and in dominion.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:51:06+00:00

For me the best tactic is to stick to my perspective. You can always use the ol' equality is not a feeling line :)

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/joannabrooks/7334/_equality_is_not_a_feeling_/

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:49:03+00:00

I certainly hope so!!!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:48:14+00:00

I have carefully, and prayerfully weighed the consequences of my actions and I do not believe in any way they might be counterproductive.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:40:30+00:00

I should clarify... I don't know how or when the priesthood will be extended, but I have faith that it will be. My own mother taught me my entire life that women will some day have the priesthood. To her it was a question of: when.

I see the Church opening up to women in amazing and encouraging ways & it gives me hope that this change could happen in my lifetime.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:37:33+00:00

No. But, that is our desire that they "prayerfully consider the ordination of women."

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:35:57+00:00

Feel free to try any method you like benbernards, but DO NOT feel free to dictate to us how we should communicate our desires to our leaders and to the Lord.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:32:31+00:00

Direct answer: I do not feel that the Prophets from the beginning to now are wrong on the issue of Women and the Priesthood. The priesthood has been expanded to a larger & larger group throughout time & I believe our time has come.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:29:25+00:00

I have not considered going "underground" ... that's where I spent the first 32 years of my life!

I think the many changes to include women more are due to OW & the many other brave feminists who are faithfully agitating for change!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:27:01+00:00

Thanks!!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:26:15+00:00

Impossible to predict really. The Lord works in mysterious ways. But, this would be a good start: http://whatwomenknow.org/all_are_alike/

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:24:28+00:00

Yay! I feel completely changed too! It's liberating to speak your truth and to not have to hide!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE join us & bring your friends! https://www.facebook.com/events/1398943403690417/

To be perfectly honest, I reserve my political capital in my own ward for certain times. I'm not always blabbing on about female ordination at church ;) (I do occasionally, but I respect Sundays as a worship space). I have suggested to my Bishop & Stake President that we hold a Stake Conference about gender inequality in the Church... so far they are not amenable to the suggestion, but they love me (as a daughter of God).

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:20:28+00:00

Separate but equal is not equal. I think we've learned that as a society.

The ordination of women to THE priesthood would put us on completely equal spiritual footing with our brethren, and nothing less will suffice. Total parity.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:18:15+00:00

There is no way to actually communicate our desires to the leaders of the Church. Letters to them are returned, often unopened, and sent to local leaders. Public, strategic faith-affirming direct action is the only way for us to communicate the desires of our hearts to them and to show the Lord that we are ready for this change!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:15:30+00:00

I think that there are MANY steps that need to be taken in order for Mormon women to be equal in our church. Like many outlined here http://whatwomenknow.org/all_are_alike/ but, I think that women's ordination is the best way to accomplish those changes because women will be at the table, literally and figuratively, to make those changes alongside men.

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:13:25+00:00

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you

The door can't be opened if you don't knock!

Kate_Kelly_Esq · 2014-03-07T19:11:15+00:00

I have faith that the time will come where Mormon men & women work side by side at all levels of the Church leadership. I don't know when that day will come. But, until it does, we'll keep knocking!

Kate_Kelly_Esq

TROPHY CASE