I recently "re"connected with an old match on a popular matchmaking site and we started emailing. I name Mother as an important person in my life on my profile and the man in question asked me why she was there. The following is the conversation that has gone on thus far, with some modifications and snarky running commentary from my brain. Strap in, this is a long one after the jump. You might want to take a potty break first.
Showing posts with label be the change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label be the change. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
I want the Priesthood, too.
And shouldn't I?
Boys are raised in the Church to want it. To aspire to it. To expect it. They are expected to live in such a way that they have it conferred upon them at the age of twelve so that they can begin to administer and serve. That expectation, that aspiration is considered a wonderful thing, a great thing. Not a sin, not a power grab, not an itching to rule the world or exercise rule over others. In fact, I'm not aware of any time when that's an idea ever put out in the open. And yet, adult women who want as much (or more) authority as a pubescent boy are cast as unfaithful villains instead of anxious workers in the cause of Christ.
What?
I was listening to a Mormon Stories episode on the way to the temple earlier today. The interview featured the man who started Agitating Faithfully, Dane Laverty, a site that collects names of women and men who support the implementation of gender equality in the Church. Dane said something that really struck me as he was describing the inspiration for the site name. The context begins about 28:39 and he rambles for a bit, but then he says this:
But how many would cheer? How many would offer their heads to have hands laid upon them? How many are prepared to receive, when we put so much emphasis on it being wrong to even want the Priesthood because we are women? I do believe it will happen, I believe it will happen in my lifetime, even if I have to live to the age of 100 to see it. I believe it just as much and as surely as I believe we will learn more about Mother, but as a people, we must be prepared to receive, and I feel that we generally are not. We have shot ourselves in the foot by insisting that we don't care about or want these things. We are limiting the spirit of revelation in the name of conservation.
A quick sampling of things I've commonly heard about women not having Priesthood, generally from women...
It's so much more work! Why would you/we want that?
--Why do the men want it? Don't many hands make light work? Is our only work really only supposed to be among our husbands and children? I'm off the hook! Awesome! ...except that I want to serve. In the past several years, there have been numerous Conference talks praising the sisters for their hard work and encouraging them to greater heights of service. I've heard many women groaning under the strain, though. There's only so far people can be encouraged before there's nothing else they can do. If the Priesthood gives power to do the work of the Gospel more effectively, it would be a mercy and a help to everyone to ordain women.
I hold the Priesthood when I hug/dance with my husband.
--You married the physical embodiment of the Power of God?! Holy crap! Oh, you meant that you married a person who has been ordained to the Priesthood. Gotcha. Wouldn't it be nice if your husband could say the same thing, though? Also, once again, this is discriminatory. I, as an unmarried woman with no children, don't have the option of hugging a husband. Eventually, I won't have the option of hugging my father, either. Please stop using such an exclusive platitude. It gives no value or power at all to women like me.
Women don't miss out on any of the blessings of the Priesthood.
--This has always required considerable mental gymnastics for me, even years before I considered myself a feminist, but I went with it for a long time. I mean, the absence of a worthy Priesthood holder can be circumvented if necessary; I've done it, but how many women (or children) know how to do it? It isn't something you'll find in a lesson manual. What if circumvention was unnecessary because women and girls received ordination and advancement just like men?
Even if we don't miss out on any blessings, saying so would come off in a much more genuine way if we also didn't miss out on the cultural benefits and respect that come with administration and authority that men enjoy while they're about the same Work women are.
I know that there are many women out there who genuinely don't want to be ordained and that's okay. For most of my life, I didn't either. It wasn't until I realized that ordination made sense to me that I said "Okay, I understand. Yes, we should be ordained." That wasn't even until after working in the temple. I wish I had understood better during my time there that the day I was Endowed, I left with the same Priesthood potential as any man, short only the formality of laying on hands. I held and exercised religious authority there to perform ordinances. I wielded Priesthood, as do tens of thousands of women working in temples worldwide, and the Church hasn't collapsed; in fact, it relies on female Priesthood users to do proxy work for the dead. The only difference is that it doesn't happen outside the temple in every day life to do the work of living.
Why?
I want to serve. I want to work. I want authority and power to be more effective in the Church and in living the Gospel and to be taken seriously. This is my little agitation. This is my Yea vote. This is my siding with women and men to whom ordination for all worthy Saints makes sense. I also want the Priesthood.
(Happy Mother Fast Day!)
Boys are raised in the Church to want it. To aspire to it. To expect it. They are expected to live in such a way that they have it conferred upon them at the age of twelve so that they can begin to administer and serve. That expectation, that aspiration is considered a wonderful thing, a great thing. Not a sin, not a power grab, not an itching to rule the world or exercise rule over others. In fact, I'm not aware of any time when that's an idea ever put out in the open. And yet, adult women who want as much (or more) authority as a pubescent boy are cast as unfaithful villains instead of anxious workers in the cause of Christ.
What?
I was listening to a Mormon Stories episode on the way to the temple earlier today. The interview featured the man who started Agitating Faithfully, Dane Laverty, a site that collects names of women and men who support the implementation of gender equality in the Church. Dane said something that really struck me as he was describing the inspiration for the site name. The context begins about 28:39 and he rambles for a bit, but then he says this:
[President Hinckley's] response wasn't, "We don't have revelation for that." His response wasn't, "The doctrines prevent that from happening." His response was just, "We don't hear anyone in the Church asking. We don't hear any movement in the Church for women to be priests." And so the way I read that is, "Yes, we'd be more than happy if we found the need for women to be priests, if we found that there was a desire out there for women to be priests, that's something that could happen; but we're not seeing that desire, so it's just not an issue that we're going to address right now."And he's right, in a way. Granted, President Hinckley was an extremely shrewd media personality, and the way he answers moves all responsibility for the inequality to the membership, rather than the leadership. I will let my readers think of that what they will and move on. There isn't agitation, or at least not very much. There is anti-agitation, as with so much about the Church, the large and disapproving fraction of the population who insists on things the way they are and that they're perfect and wonderful and we shouldn't want one thing that the Lord doesn't hand down to us from the Throne of Heaven itself.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26 For it is not meet that I should command in all things; for s/he who is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and an unwise servant; wherefore s/he receiveth no rewardHm. Well, that's problematic.
So, if an Earth-rocking revelation were unveiled between 9:15 and 9:30 AM PDT by President Monson, unveiling the nature, power, and duties of Heavenly Mother, and commanding that women be ordained to the Priest(ess)hood, beginning immediately and would President Beck and her Counselors please come forward so they can be sustained and ordained... how many brethren, how many sisters would be prepared to sustain President Beck in her ordination? How many would get up and leave, and never return to the Church? It's a sobering thought.27 Verily I say, wo/men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
But how many would cheer? How many would offer their heads to have hands laid upon them? How many are prepared to receive, when we put so much emphasis on it being wrong to even want the Priesthood because we are women? I do believe it will happen, I believe it will happen in my lifetime, even if I have to live to the age of 100 to see it. I believe it just as much and as surely as I believe we will learn more about Mother, but as a people, we must be prepared to receive, and I feel that we generally are not. We have shot ourselves in the foot by insisting that we don't care about or want these things. We are limiting the spirit of revelation in the name of conservation.
A quick sampling of things I've commonly heard about women not having Priesthood, generally from women...
It's so much more work! Why would you/we want that?
--Why do the men want it? Don't many hands make light work? Is our only work really only supposed to be among our husbands and children? I'm off the hook! Awesome! ...except that I want to serve. In the past several years, there have been numerous Conference talks praising the sisters for their hard work and encouraging them to greater heights of service. I've heard many women groaning under the strain, though. There's only so far people can be encouraged before there's nothing else they can do. If the Priesthood gives power to do the work of the Gospel more effectively, it would be a mercy and a help to everyone to ordain women.
I hold the Priesthood when I hug/dance with my husband.
--You married the physical embodiment of the Power of God?! Holy crap! Oh, you meant that you married a person who has been ordained to the Priesthood. Gotcha. Wouldn't it be nice if your husband could say the same thing, though? Also, once again, this is discriminatory. I, as an unmarried woman with no children, don't have the option of hugging a husband. Eventually, I won't have the option of hugging my father, either. Please stop using such an exclusive platitude. It gives no value or power at all to women like me.
Women don't miss out on any of the blessings of the Priesthood.
--This has always required considerable mental gymnastics for me, even years before I considered myself a feminist, but I went with it for a long time. I mean, the absence of a worthy Priesthood holder can be circumvented if necessary; I've done it, but how many women (or children) know how to do it? It isn't something you'll find in a lesson manual. What if circumvention was unnecessary because women and girls received ordination and advancement just like men?
Even if we don't miss out on any blessings, saying so would come off in a much more genuine way if we also didn't miss out on the cultural benefits and respect that come with administration and authority that men enjoy while they're about the same Work women are.
I know that there are many women out there who genuinely don't want to be ordained and that's okay. For most of my life, I didn't either. It wasn't until I realized that ordination made sense to me that I said "Okay, I understand. Yes, we should be ordained." That wasn't even until after working in the temple. I wish I had understood better during my time there that the day I was Endowed, I left with the same Priesthood potential as any man, short only the formality of laying on hands. I held and exercised religious authority there to perform ordinances. I wielded Priesthood, as do tens of thousands of women working in temples worldwide, and the Church hasn't collapsed; in fact, it relies on female Priesthood users to do proxy work for the dead. The only difference is that it doesn't happen outside the temple in every day life to do the work of living.
Why?
I want to serve. I want to work. I want authority and power to be more effective in the Church and in living the Gospel and to be taken seriously. This is my little agitation. This is my Yea vote. This is my siding with women and men to whom ordination for all worthy Saints makes sense. I also want the Priesthood.
(Happy Mother Fast Day!)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A Sunday at Heart to Heart Ministries
I can be such a lazy blogger. I've been meaning to write this post for three weeks now.
The first Sunday for this month, I went to hear a friend sing at the Sunday service held at a local interfaith spiritual center. All kinds were there: Christians, Jews, Pagans, Buddhists, etc. Everyone was just there to hear something uplifting and be in a community with other spiritual people. It was a lot like Relief Society, actually; joyful, friendly, chatty, fun, easy-going, emotional, and hilarious, with twenty-seven women to three men in attendance. (If your Relief Society doesn't sound like that--men aside--I am so sorry and I sincerely hope things liven up soon.)
It was the first time in my life I really realized that our meetings can be extremely boring.
I've been to Pentecostal services a couple of times and have observed how very much more lively those are than your average Mormon service. However, I find they have their own brand of boring for me. (I find praise music really repetitive and after the fifth or sixth go-round of "Holy, holy, holy" I'm kind of done. I'm also not a big fan of electric guitars and keyboards for accompaniment in a worship service. It works for some people but not for me.) That being said, I'm now going to totally contradict myself and say how much I enjoyed having homemade percussion instruments (plastic bottles of rice and such) and singing popular inspirational songs. Maybe it's because it was having "audience" participation in the music making or that I felt that the songs contained messages for living life rather than just giving repetitious praise. Maybe it's my personal evolution. I don't know, but the music aspect was less repetitious than a Pentecostal service, and more make-the-every-day-sacred than an LDS one.
There were four ministers, and all of them are women. That was a somewhat new experience, though the energy and atmosphere they brought was very familiar from my Relief Society experience. They even had and exchange of what my ward calls a "good news minute", thought they called it "one minute miracles." The big difference there was that they took about fifteen to twenty minutes to share these, where we usually try to keep it under five. One minister was the primary leader of the service, with interjections and contributions from the other three from time to time. Two of them led a guided meditation, one speaking, one playing a wood flute at the back of the room. The primary minister then gave a sermon that spanned from the chakras (especially the "sacred heart") into giving love unconditionally, relating a gut-wrenching personal story of a tragic situation in her own family. It was one of the best expressions on the subject I've ever heard. After the sermon, my friend sang "I Hope You Dance". That would never fly in a Sacrament meeting, but it was really lovely and appropriate in the setting. We finished by standing up around the room, holding hands and singing together as a group. Afterwards, people milled around, congratulated my friend, and mingled with one another.
It was a fascinating, juicy experience, and a nice change of pace from the so-reverent-it's-dry trap that is easy to fall into in many LDS wards. I appreciate the need for reverence, I really do, and I tend to relate better to sacred music that's dignified and dedicated to worship, but I got more out of attending that meeting that Sunday than I've gotten out of many a Sunday where I "belong". We need to be more like that. We need a spiritual passion and fire and real world application that's meaningful not only to other people but to ourselves. The fire doesn't always burn high and hot--sometimes it's barely an ember--but I think a few little injections of spirit would help people feel the Spirit a little more than maybe we do. Let's get excited and be excited about the Gospel and God and faith and charity and good works and our divine natures. That stuff is awesome!
The first Sunday for this month, I went to hear a friend sing at the Sunday service held at a local interfaith spiritual center. All kinds were there: Christians, Jews, Pagans, Buddhists, etc. Everyone was just there to hear something uplifting and be in a community with other spiritual people. It was a lot like Relief Society, actually; joyful, friendly, chatty, fun, easy-going, emotional, and hilarious, with twenty-seven women to three men in attendance. (If your Relief Society doesn't sound like that--men aside--I am so sorry and I sincerely hope things liven up soon.)
It was the first time in my life I really realized that our meetings can be extremely boring.
I've been to Pentecostal services a couple of times and have observed how very much more lively those are than your average Mormon service. However, I find they have their own brand of boring for me. (I find praise music really repetitive and after the fifth or sixth go-round of "Holy, holy, holy" I'm kind of done. I'm also not a big fan of electric guitars and keyboards for accompaniment in a worship service. It works for some people but not for me.) That being said, I'm now going to totally contradict myself and say how much I enjoyed having homemade percussion instruments (plastic bottles of rice and such) and singing popular inspirational songs. Maybe it's because it was having "audience" participation in the music making or that I felt that the songs contained messages for living life rather than just giving repetitious praise. Maybe it's my personal evolution. I don't know, but the music aspect was less repetitious than a Pentecostal service, and more make-the-every-day-sacred than an LDS one.
 |
| Not sung while I was there, but I had to take a picture. |
There were four ministers, and all of them are women. That was a somewhat new experience, though the energy and atmosphere they brought was very familiar from my Relief Society experience. They even had and exchange of what my ward calls a "good news minute", thought they called it "one minute miracles." The big difference there was that they took about fifteen to twenty minutes to share these, where we usually try to keep it under five. One minister was the primary leader of the service, with interjections and contributions from the other three from time to time. Two of them led a guided meditation, one speaking, one playing a wood flute at the back of the room. The primary minister then gave a sermon that spanned from the chakras (especially the "sacred heart") into giving love unconditionally, relating a gut-wrenching personal story of a tragic situation in her own family. It was one of the best expressions on the subject I've ever heard. After the sermon, my friend sang "I Hope You Dance". That would never fly in a Sacrament meeting, but it was really lovely and appropriate in the setting. We finished by standing up around the room, holding hands and singing together as a group. Afterwards, people milled around, congratulated my friend, and mingled with one another.
It was a fascinating, juicy experience, and a nice change of pace from the so-reverent-it's-dry trap that is easy to fall into in many LDS wards. I appreciate the need for reverence, I really do, and I tend to relate better to sacred music that's dignified and dedicated to worship, but I got more out of attending that meeting that Sunday than I've gotten out of many a Sunday where I "belong". We need to be more like that. We need a spiritual passion and fire and real world application that's meaningful not only to other people but to ourselves. The fire doesn't always burn high and hot--sometimes it's barely an ember--but I think a few little injections of spirit would help people feel the Spirit a little more than maybe we do. Let's get excited and be excited about the Gospel and God and faith and charity and good works and our divine natures. That stuff is awesome!
Monday, July 18, 2011
My Preparation
Yesterday went off really well, I think. From what I can tell from various places I've seen/heard of word of the Fast spread, I'm fairly certain there were at least a couple dozen people participating. I never got a head count. Part of me wants to start a Facebook page or private group, but that's for another day. I'm not up to thinking about it right now.
As far as my experience yesterday went, it was... unusual for me. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, I'm not, but normally when I fast, I find inspiration comes with relative ease. I feel like I have better answers at Church, like I can think more deeply, more quickly. Yesterday I felt... not that way. I don't know if I felt stumped or just normal. I know I was looking for ways and times to try and talk about Heavenly Mother, and I found virtually none except the briefest mention in a talk I gave. Maybe that was for the best. It would've been largely for the sake of my ego, speaking of Her, trying to make a point. That's one of my biggest struggles, to keep my motivations as pure as possible. It's part of why I hesitated to call this a "movement": I don't want it to be seen as some political drive rather than a collective quest for spiritual light and understanding. However, even that is a movement, so I guess I have to call it what it is.
Anyway, there is no room for my ego in this (says the blogger...), so I feel that I have no place trying to force the issue when it doesn't come naturally or when the Spirit doesn't make it apparent. It never felt natural, I never felt impressed to share, and as I contemplated that fact after Church, I realized that my own heart has a lot of preparation left.
I'm still afraid. I'm still nervous. I still doubt and question myself regularly. Should I really be doing this? Is it time? Am I jumping the gun? What if She isn't supposed to be revealed: until the end, or at all? What if my Stake President/Bishop/Dad (who's on the High Council) finds out? What if I'm disciplined? Stupid things, things I shouldn't be worrying about if I have faith, and if this path is right. Worry stresses; it doesn't help. But this is my journey just as much as it's our journey as a people, as a church, and while my heart has been opened, there is a lot of sweeping out and reorganizing to do.
I see that as a pattern in the larger Church membership, as well, and it's hard to fight the despair. Am I jumping the gun? Is it too soon? Am I too eager? I don't believe any act of faith will diminish me personally, or anyone who participates, but there is so much work involved for this to be successful. It's very easy to look at that mountain and feel my heart sink. However... the only way I currently have to make that mountain move is to climb it and put it under my feet. (Credit Cherie Call for that perspective.) And really, who has more invested in keeping women subjugated and the Female half of the Divine Union suppressed than the Adversary? He is the source of such fears and doubts.
I can't afford to give in to that. I won't give in to that. I need preparation and strength if I'm to pursue this course, seek this miracle, arise from the dust and cast off the chains with which I have been bound.
As far as my experience yesterday went, it was... unusual for me. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, I'm not, but normally when I fast, I find inspiration comes with relative ease. I feel like I have better answers at Church, like I can think more deeply, more quickly. Yesterday I felt... not that way. I don't know if I felt stumped or just normal. I know I was looking for ways and times to try and talk about Heavenly Mother, and I found virtually none except the briefest mention in a talk I gave. Maybe that was for the best. It would've been largely for the sake of my ego, speaking of Her, trying to make a point. That's one of my biggest struggles, to keep my motivations as pure as possible. It's part of why I hesitated to call this a "movement": I don't want it to be seen as some political drive rather than a collective quest for spiritual light and understanding. However, even that is a movement, so I guess I have to call it what it is.
Anyway, there is no room for my ego in this (says the blogger...), so I feel that I have no place trying to force the issue when it doesn't come naturally or when the Spirit doesn't make it apparent. It never felt natural, I never felt impressed to share, and as I contemplated that fact after Church, I realized that my own heart has a lot of preparation left.
I'm still afraid. I'm still nervous. I still doubt and question myself regularly. Should I really be doing this? Is it time? Am I jumping the gun? What if She isn't supposed to be revealed: until the end, or at all? What if my Stake President/Bishop/Dad (who's on the High Council) finds out? What if I'm disciplined? Stupid things, things I shouldn't be worrying about if I have faith, and if this path is right. Worry stresses; it doesn't help. But this is my journey just as much as it's our journey as a people, as a church, and while my heart has been opened, there is a lot of sweeping out and reorganizing to do.
I see that as a pattern in the larger Church membership, as well, and it's hard to fight the despair. Am I jumping the gun? Is it too soon? Am I too eager? I don't believe any act of faith will diminish me personally, or anyone who participates, but there is so much work involved for this to be successful. It's very easy to look at that mountain and feel my heart sink. However... the only way I currently have to make that mountain move is to climb it and put it under my feet. (Credit Cherie Call for that perspective.) And really, who has more invested in keeping women subjugated and the Female half of the Divine Union suppressed than the Adversary? He is the source of such fears and doubts.
I can't afford to give in to that. I won't give in to that. I need preparation and strength if I'm to pursue this course, seek this miracle, arise from the dust and cast off the chains with which I have been bound.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Mother Fast 1: Preparation
Have you noticed the snazzy page I created to be an ongoing reminder? It's right up there. ^ It's probably the easiest thing to link to as you share this movement with others.
Depending on how you fast, some time tonight is likely to be the beginning. I won't dictate how anyone fasts; I just ask that in whatever manner you do it, it shows a willingness to sacrifice or set aside in favor of receiving blessings. The amount of faith and effort we put forth will be directly proportionate to the quality of answers we receive.
Okay, enough lecture.
Suggested subject: Fast and pray primarily for the preparation of our people and our leaders to receive revelation about Heavenly Mother, and an increased desire in our hearts to know her and about her.
If you feel prompted to add something or concentrate a related subject, feel free, but as a group, I would like to focus our collective intention and faith on these things. Please also contemplate whom you could share this movement with, who would be sympathetic and interested in participating. We're as much missionaries to each other as we are to others.
I'd love to hear any stories and experiences you have this weekend and in the coming days, if you feel like sharing them in the comments. Thank you in advance for your time, sacrifice, and faith!
Depending on how you fast, some time tonight is likely to be the beginning. I won't dictate how anyone fasts; I just ask that in whatever manner you do it, it shows a willingness to sacrifice or set aside in favor of receiving blessings. The amount of faith and effort we put forth will be directly proportionate to the quality of answers we receive.
Okay, enough lecture.
Suggested subject: Fast and pray primarily for the preparation of our people and our leaders to receive revelation about Heavenly Mother, and an increased desire in our hearts to know her and about her.
If you feel prompted to add something or concentrate a related subject, feel free, but as a group, I would like to focus our collective intention and faith on these things. Please also contemplate whom you could share this movement with, who would be sympathetic and interested in participating. We're as much missionaries to each other as we are to others.
I'd love to hear any stories and experiences you have this weekend and in the coming days, if you feel like sharing them in the comments. Thank you in advance for your time, sacrifice, and faith!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Mother's Day every month: A fast for testimony
In the midst of this upwelling I've personally observed, this increased interest in God the Mother that seems to be gaining more momentum of late and the increasing pursuit of the Divine Feminine in Christianity over all, I've started thinking that we're possibly--even probably--being prepared to receive new revelation regarding Goddess our Mother. It has been a long time coming, as great steps forward usually are.
The Children of Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness to begin their process from a slave mentality to that of a free people able and willing to stand on their own feet, spiritually and physically.
The lightbulb took nearly 80 years from Sir Humphry Davy's first platinum filament to Thomas Edison's long lasting filament and the revolutionary system that would make electric lighting accessible and viable for a larger scale.
The United States was approximately 300 years in the making from discovery of a new continent (attribute it to whom you will) to the Declaration of Independence. The Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel took almost the same amount of time and in almost the same time frame (using Martin Luther's 95 Theses as a landmark for the beginning of the process, though the Gutenberg Bible would be a worthy starting point as well) and required a massive shift in Western thought (the Enlightenment) to come about in the way that we know it.
If indeed, as Latter Day Saints we do "believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom" it is far from unreasonable to believe that greater light and deeper knowledge are on the way. It is also reasonable, given historical precedent, that it is important for us to ask for it. Very little major revelation comes forth spontaneously. God often waits for us to show readiness, worthiness, and willingness to listen and to receive.
So. Let's ask.
What if we, as a group of Her children who yearn for knowledge of our Mother, set aside an extra "fast Sunday" every month to fast and pray for that knowledge to come? Let us pray that definitive information about Her nature and duties will be revealed; that our leaders will be inspired to ask as well, and then be given the words to speak of Her forthrightly and openly; that the veil will be lifted to reveal the face of our Goddess; that Her daughters will be given solid information about their potential in the eternities, not only as mothers, but as divine beings of power and glory. I would suggest we do this as a unit on the third Sunday of each month, to give ample time between regular Fast Sundays for "rest" and reflection, though anyone is welcome to do so as it is convenient for them. I believe the intent of joining together and proving to the Lord that we hold this matter sacred enough to sacrifice as a people and raise our voices to Him is more important than perfect synchronicity.
I know this will feel very controversial--even dangerous or blasphemous--to many of my fellow faithful members of the Church, and I very much appreciate that. I know there has been a feeling among us that we ought not to touch this subject at all, and indeed I have felt that weight very recently, myself. I would encourage us all to remember the cherished fifth verse of James chapter one (which I alter only to include us all explicitly):
By application of this verse, we received knowledge of the Father and the Son, and if indeed Mother is as eternal a truth as her husband and son, we have nothing to fear from a sincere prayer for revelation. The worst we can get in response from the Lord is "Have patience, be faithful; It is not yet time for you to know." However, perhaps it is time, and He awaits our request. Study and ponder the matter in your own heart, and if you feel so inclined, I invite you to join your faith with mine and others as we seek knowledge from our God. If it is the Lord's will, He will make it know. If it is not, I do not believe He will fault us for asking.
My hope is that we will fast and pray monthly as a group for at least one year, or until our prayers are answered at an official Church-wide level such as a Conference talk by the Prophet this October or next April, or an official Proclamation or Declaration. As we take this journey together, I welcome your stories and comments.
EDIT: As this post becomes maybe less apparent as time goes on, don't forget that you can link people to the stationary Page about the Fast.
The Children of Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness to begin their process from a slave mentality to that of a free people able and willing to stand on their own feet, spiritually and physically.
The lightbulb took nearly 80 years from Sir Humphry Davy's first platinum filament to Thomas Edison's long lasting filament and the revolutionary system that would make electric lighting accessible and viable for a larger scale.
The United States was approximately 300 years in the making from discovery of a new continent (attribute it to whom you will) to the Declaration of Independence. The Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel took almost the same amount of time and in almost the same time frame (using Martin Luther's 95 Theses as a landmark for the beginning of the process, though the Gutenberg Bible would be a worthy starting point as well) and required a massive shift in Western thought (the Enlightenment) to come about in the way that we know it.
If indeed, as Latter Day Saints we do "believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom" it is far from unreasonable to believe that greater light and deeper knowledge are on the way. It is also reasonable, given historical precedent, that it is important for us to ask for it. Very little major revelation comes forth spontaneously. God often waits for us to show readiness, worthiness, and willingness to listen and to receive.
So. Let's ask.
What if we, as a group of Her children who yearn for knowledge of our Mother, set aside an extra "fast Sunday" every month to fast and pray for that knowledge to come? Let us pray that definitive information about Her nature and duties will be revealed; that our leaders will be inspired to ask as well, and then be given the words to speak of Her forthrightly and openly; that the veil will be lifted to reveal the face of our Goddess; that Her daughters will be given solid information about their potential in the eternities, not only as mothers, but as divine beings of power and glory. I would suggest we do this as a unit on the third Sunday of each month, to give ample time between regular Fast Sundays for "rest" and reflection, though anyone is welcome to do so as it is convenient for them. I believe the intent of joining together and proving to the Lord that we hold this matter sacred enough to sacrifice as a people and raise our voices to Him is more important than perfect synchronicity.
I know this will feel very controversial--even dangerous or blasphemous--to many of my fellow faithful members of the Church, and I very much appreciate that. I know there has been a feeling among us that we ought not to touch this subject at all, and indeed I have felt that weight very recently, myself. I would encourage us all to remember the cherished fifth verse of James chapter one (which I alter only to include us all explicitly):
If any of you lack wisdom, let him or her ask of God, who giveth to all men and women liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given them.
By application of this verse, we received knowledge of the Father and the Son, and if indeed Mother is as eternal a truth as her husband and son, we have nothing to fear from a sincere prayer for revelation. The worst we can get in response from the Lord is "Have patience, be faithful; It is not yet time for you to know." However, perhaps it is time, and He awaits our request. Study and ponder the matter in your own heart, and if you feel so inclined, I invite you to join your faith with mine and others as we seek knowledge from our God. If it is the Lord's will, He will make it know. If it is not, I do not believe He will fault us for asking.
My hope is that we will fast and pray monthly as a group for at least one year, or until our prayers are answered at an official Church-wide level such as a Conference talk by the Prophet this October or next April, or an official Proclamation or Declaration. As we take this journey together, I welcome your stories and comments.
EDIT: As this post becomes maybe less apparent as time goes on, don't forget that you can link people to the stationary Page about the Fast.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A seed planted for "green" garments
The boring paragraph...
I know there are people out there who will be scandalized and possibly even offended by what I write below. I'll confess: I'm almost one of them! I don't think of myself as a pot stirrer (some might disagree), but I'm really working on fixing in my head the differences between "doctrine", "practice", and "policy". (Thank you, Bishop McAdam!) Given that, what follows is primarily an issue of policy and practice, the two out of the three with potential for change without blasphemy. Any criticism contained below is meant to be constructive, for the betterment of the Saints and the world in which we live. All right, disclaimer's over, let's move on.
"Green" garments
While in Utah back in February, Rachel and I went to the local Distribution Center because I was freezing cold all the time and wanted thermal garments. While there, perusing the shelves, we got to talking about our mutual disappointment that there's really only one natural fiber option for garments, and that's a somewhat thick ribbed cotton. Everyone I've heard from on them says they're hot, more like wearing an extra layer than the synthetics. Rachel and I are both fairly "crunchy" California Saints with a love for alternative fibers, and we mused on how amazing a bamboo option would be. Even a bamboo/cotton blend. Highly renewable, biodegradable, cool, silky and comfortable. Or a soft merino or alpaca wool in winter. We wanted something comfortable and eco-conscious.
There are millions of Endowed Latter Day Saints in the world, all with (hopefully) at least two sets of garments, probably most with five to seven sets. Like any clothing, garments wear out. Once they've been "decommissioned", though, the fabric is just... fabric, and what do you do with it? Dust rags? Baby wipes? Upcycled purses? Hope much fabric ends up in the trash? It's not like they can be sent on to Good Will or even Deseret Industries. So the fabric ends up in a landfill and because most garments or made of synthetic fibers... they sit there. And sit there. Forever. (Or at least several decades.) That is such a waste.
There has to be a better way.
And there is!
Distribution Services wants feedback. There's a link right at the bottom of every page that says "Feedback" with an e-mail address attached to it: feedback@store.lds.org. So let's give them feedback this Earth Day! Email Distribution between April 22nd and May 1st and request that they expand their fabric choices to include more natural and even post-consumer fibers.
Recycled polyester! Hemp! Ramie! Wool! Bamboo! Linen!!! (Very Old Testament.)
Fair trade and/or domestic sourcing. Reduce the carbon footprint of production and distribution.
Nowhere in our holy writ does it say that modern sacred clothing can only be produced from petroleum products. It is inexpensive, and inexpensive garments and ceremonial clothing has been a great boon for our people. But what if we could have more choices, ones that would be good for our bodies, our spirits, our economies, and our Earth? Our stewardship over this world is just as sacred and important as any other responsibility we have. This is something worth telling those in charge that we want.
If this is something eve a little important to you, I encourage you to RSVP to this Facebook Event page started up by my friend, Heather, and share it with your friends. Spread the word and help make this campaign successful. Then go and write your e-mail! I'll admit, we may not see an immediate change, or even one in the next few years, but maybe we will. Either way, we'll have success even if we just get people to voice their desires for something sacred and respected that they live with every day. The fabric selection is policy, and practice, not the eternal truth behind the article itself. Policies and practices can and should change according to the needs of God's people.
Happy Earth Day! :)
I know there are people out there who will be scandalized and possibly even offended by what I write below. I'll confess: I'm almost one of them! I don't think of myself as a pot stirrer (some might disagree), but I'm really working on fixing in my head the differences between "doctrine", "practice", and "policy". (Thank you, Bishop McAdam!) Given that, what follows is primarily an issue of policy and practice, the two out of the three with potential for change without blasphemy. Any criticism contained below is meant to be constructive, for the betterment of the Saints and the world in which we live. All right, disclaimer's over, let's move on.
"Green" garments
While in Utah back in February, Rachel and I went to the local Distribution Center because I was freezing cold all the time and wanted thermal garments. While there, perusing the shelves, we got to talking about our mutual disappointment that there's really only one natural fiber option for garments, and that's a somewhat thick ribbed cotton. Everyone I've heard from on them says they're hot, more like wearing an extra layer than the synthetics. Rachel and I are both fairly "crunchy" California Saints with a love for alternative fibers, and we mused on how amazing a bamboo option would be. Even a bamboo/cotton blend. Highly renewable, biodegradable, cool, silky and comfortable. Or a soft merino or alpaca wool in winter. We wanted something comfortable and eco-conscious.
There are millions of Endowed Latter Day Saints in the world, all with (hopefully) at least two sets of garments, probably most with five to seven sets. Like any clothing, garments wear out. Once they've been "decommissioned", though, the fabric is just... fabric, and what do you do with it? Dust rags? Baby wipes? Upcycled purses? Hope much fabric ends up in the trash? It's not like they can be sent on to Good Will or even Deseret Industries. So the fabric ends up in a landfill and because most garments or made of synthetic fibers... they sit there. And sit there. Forever. (Or at least several decades.) That is such a waste.
There has to be a better way.
And there is!
Distribution Services wants feedback. There's a link right at the bottom of every page that says "Feedback" with an e-mail address attached to it: feedback@store.lds.org. So let's give them feedback this Earth Day! Email Distribution between April 22nd and May 1st and request that they expand their fabric choices to include more natural and even post-consumer fibers.
Recycled polyester! Hemp! Ramie! Wool! Bamboo! Linen!!! (Very Old Testament.)
Fair trade and/or domestic sourcing. Reduce the carbon footprint of production and distribution.
Nowhere in our holy writ does it say that modern sacred clothing can only be produced from petroleum products. It is inexpensive, and inexpensive garments and ceremonial clothing has been a great boon for our people. But what if we could have more choices, ones that would be good for our bodies, our spirits, our economies, and our Earth? Our stewardship over this world is just as sacred and important as any other responsibility we have. This is something worth telling those in charge that we want.
If this is something eve a little important to you, I encourage you to RSVP to this Facebook Event page started up by my friend, Heather, and share it with your friends. Spread the word and help make this campaign successful. Then go and write your e-mail! I'll admit, we may not see an immediate change, or even one in the next few years, but maybe we will. Either way, we'll have success even if we just get people to voice their desires for something sacred and respected that they live with every day. The fabric selection is policy, and practice, not the eternal truth behind the article itself. Policies and practices can and should change according to the needs of God's people.
Happy Earth Day! :)
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