One more shot of optimism

Regendered/Inclusive Doctrine & Covenants Section 4 (with gently modernized language)

Now behold, a marvelous work and a wonder is about to come forth among the children of women.

Therefore, O you that embark in the service of Goddess and God, see that you serve them with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that you may stand blameless before God and Goddess at the last day.

Therefore, if you have desires to serve Goddess and God you are called to the work.

For behold the field is white already to harvest; and she that thrusts in her sickle with her might, the same lays up in store that she perishes not, but brings salvation to her soul;

And faith, hope,charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God and Goddess, qualify her for the work.

Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, sisterly kindness, godliness, chairty, humilty, diligence.

Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Amen.

Enjoy General Conference!

Scriptures that inform my Feminism #1

As mentioned, a lot of the reasons I declare myself a Feminist are founded in my faith and spirituality.  In this first of what I hope to be many posts in a series, here are a few verses that inform the way I feel about feminism, faith, roles and relations of the sexes, and why I think the way I do about them.

Bolded emphases are my own.

Doctrine and Covenants 121

 36  That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

 37  That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.  [...]

 39  We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

 40  Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

 41  No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

In other words, holding the Priesthood doesn't automatically make a man the leader in a given situation, just because he's the Priesthood holder.  (I'm not even touching gender roles at the moment.)  Having been on course to marry a very poor example of a Priesthood holder, these verses have brought me a lot of validation and peace as a woman that God does not expect me to put up with nor put myself under unrighteous dominion.

Proverbs 31: 10-31  (Cherry-picked for the sake of brevity, but do read the link and take it as a unit.)

10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. [...]
25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.[...]
31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I think Proverbs 31 is an awesome example of not only a righteous woman, but a woman with intelligence, skill, drive, and ambition.  Her presence improves her community; her industry improves the situation of herself and her family.  She is strong; "virtue" can refer not only to purity and holiness, but also to power, strength, or authority. And while being the do-it-all Superwoman is a topic for another post, I love the concurrent themes of faithful womanhood, motherhood, and the marriage of two equally honorable partners