Kate Kelly, a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints saw her campaign as a member of the church to receive the Priesthood of God came to an abrupt halt Monday when a Bishop’s Disciplinary Council excommunicated her from the church. Ms Kelly, a human rights attorney, made a name for herself on a national scale through the activities of Ordain Women, the organization of which she is the founder.
I will say, Ms. Kelly demonstrated uncommon courage in maintaining so vocally that the Lord’s revelation to give His priesthood to males is discriminatory but her excommunication should come as no surprise. To adhere to doctrines or beliefs contrary to established revelation is the right of any member of the church. To promote and teach those doctrines in defiance to guidance from church authority is one step toward apostasy. What organization, from religious to social, from business to education would stand by without acting on a member who blatantly undermines the organization and its policies. In business those people are fired. In churches they are excommunicated.
1. To believe that divine revelation should be a “participatory process” is to believe that man knows better than God what is best for his children. Using social trends to guide policy for religion is to create a church made in the image of man, not God. There is no question in my mind that the prophet has sought guidance from the Lord in responding to the demands from OW. His silence is the answer.
2. Suggesting that Mormon feminists will follow the prophet when he says the Lord has spoken and women will be ordained to the Priesthood decries the fact that the prophets HAVE spoken, beginning with Joseph Smith, whom Ms. Kelly appears to revere.
3. The depth of Ms. Kelly’s stated love for the church is measured by actions that we may never know and have no business knowing i.e. Is she a full tithe payer? Did she wear the garment? How often did she go to the temple? Did she accept and fulfill church callings? Was she a faithful visiting teacher? Her serving a full time mission, marrying in the temple and graduating from BYU is proof that she was well grounded and rooted in the church and her service is to be commended. This is a woman who has so much to offer, so much to give in compassionate service; one who would be expected to be a Young Woman’s President or Relief Society President, who would sit in council with the Bishop of her ward and draw those around her closer to the Savior. There are innumerable ways women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have their worth validated.
4. The role of the prophets from Adam to Moses, from Jeremiah to Jesus Christ and from Joseph Smith to Thomas S. Monson is to represent the Lord to the people, not the reverse. Kate Kelly’s Bishop, her Stake President and her Prophet represent the Lord to the people they do not represent the people to the Lord.
5. I truly hope that Kate Kelly, this woman of courage finds happiness and will feel the love of the Savior in her struggle.
6. I say give all women the priesthood then I can go fishing!!
authorbobtait 