To: Abbottsville Fourth Ward
From: Bishop Paul Zimmerman
Subject: Priesthood Meeting Protest
It's come to our attention that some members of the Abbottsville Fourth Ward intend to travel to Salt Lake City to attend an upcoming protest. Before packing your bags, please read the following missive from Church Public Affairs to the event organizers.
Dear Sisters,
The Brethren have held some wonderful conversations over recent years relative to women in the Church and the invaluable contributions we make. The recent changes you have seen, like lowering the missionary age for sisters and encouraging them to dress attractively, serve as examples and were facilitated by the efforts of many extraordinarily fine looking LDS women around the world.
After aggressively surveying their wives, daughters and secretaries, the Brethren have concluded that women in the Church, by a very large majority, do not share your advocacy for priesthood ordination for women and consider that position to be extremely unladylike. Declaring such an objective to be non-negotiable, as you have done, actually detracts from the helpful discussions that the Brethren have held as they seek to dictate the thoughts, concerns, and hopes of women inside and outside of the Church.
The priesthood session of General Conference is designed to strengthen men and boys as they receive specific instructions about their stewardship over women; therefore we are unable to fulfill your request for tickets. You are certainly welcome to view the live broadcast of the priesthood session on lds.org, the Mormon Channel or BYUtv, at home where you belong--and dressed in any appropriately modest clothing. Even pants.
Your organization has again publicized its intention to demonstrate on Temple Square during the April 5 priesthood session. Activist events like this detract from the sacred environment of Temple Square and the spirit of harmonious patriarchy sought at General Conference. Please reconsider.
If you feel you must come and demonstrate we ask that you do so in the free speech zone we've set up a short twelve blocks away from Temple Square, conveniently located near the Harmons Neighborhood Grocery where many of you choose to shop. (See attached map.)
Kindest regards,
Kimberly Baker
Wife of an official church spokesman
If you would like to stop receiving these emails, we ask that you make your request in the aforementioned free speech zone. (See attached map.)
Also check out another great review for The Girls from Fourth Ward, this time from talented blogger, Jono! Read it here!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
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It's admirable of the Church to have addressed the issue of continued female insubordination so directly and forthrightly. Kudos to Sister Baker, who is NOT a puppet on a string, despite what some may think.
ReplyDeleteWhen are we women affiliated with the LDS church going to learn our proper place in the church and in the world, which is absolutely no place unless we happen to be married to an influential priesthood holder?
Exactly Alexis. I do give huge kudos to Ordain Women for doing this. Baby steps.
DeleteSeems like early indoctrination works. Mostly.
ReplyDeleteFrom day one it's all about harmonious patriarchy.
DeleteIf the Mormon Church is true or not makes no difference to me. What is truly sad about this blog is that the author would choose to use the sacred days, hours and minutes, given to her to belittle other people. Jesus Christ, my personal Savior, didn't agree with most of those he spoke with during his life. But he was always filled with love and a desire to inform. He never stooped to sarcasm, and rude humor. When we stand before our maker and all make an accounting of the time we had here upon this earth I hope that the author is pleased with the amount of her life she has spent gaining humor at the expense of others. Even if those others happen to be completely wrong. True Christianity would never do this.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteI don't claim to be a "True Christian" so your premise is sort of lost on me. That being said, thank you for using your sacred hours/minutes to read and leave and leave a lengthy comment here.
Laughter is fun, btw. You should try it sometime.
Dear Donna: Where did you belittle anyone? I missed that part.
DeleteOn a side note: Such venom, "Anonymous." Precisely the type of bitter vitriol that only Mormon Jesus would be proud of.
Admit it: You're a Mormon. You outed yourself. A true Christian would never personally attack the blog author like you did.
She had me at "hello" with whether or not the Mormon church is true -- or not. Totally Momron speak. Amusing too how many people who "speak for Jesus" yet are anonymous. Not exactly his MO.
DeleteThe sad part is that the majority of Mormon women enable their abusers. As a result, LDS Inc. will recognize marriage equality long before they start treating women as equals. It's always about the money and political expediency.
ReplyDeleteI don't see women getting any rights any time soon.
DeleteDonna you rock! I can see where much of what we discuss here, and on other bolgs, could be offensive to some. However, there are plenty of other sites for them to read. It seems our friend 'anonymous' is willing to spend hours trolling around looking for sites to write contrary and judgmental comments on. I hope 'anonymous' can find ways to better use their time and, so called, talents to share feelings more appropriately. She/he is kind of brave don't you think? It may have been more authentic had they left their name. At least you know you have the ability to strike a chord and push a few buttons.
ReplyDeleteThat all being said, there is nothing wrong with poking fun of an evil corporation that has totally taken over the minds of so many people. You bring clarity, laughter and light to an otherwise depressing and oppressing reality. Love you, love your blog. Write on through Sister Banta and I look forward to the day we can sit down and have a drink or two together. Cheers
Thanks Jill! It amazes me that there are people who think that people like us are so mean for even questioning--let alone criticizing the LDS Church. Meanwhile, the Mormon leaders feel free to marginalize women, gays, people with piercings or tattoos--even parents who watch TV on Sunday. (Via the recent article in The Friend.)
DeleteSo in anticipation of our upcoming drink (which we must have) I raise my coffee cup and toast to more blogging for us both!
--We're eager to know more about your "gay agenda" after all. ;)
"It seems our friend 'anonymous' is willing to spend hours trolling around looking for sites to write contrary and judgmental comments on."
DeleteTrolling is probably a new missionary calling in the cult. I hear they're taking their efforts to the internets.
You know, I hadn't thought of that, but I think you may be on to something. No problem, I love getting new readers!
DeleteIt doesn't make us trolls to have a differing opinion. I did not seek you out. A friend sent me the link. And I do have an opinion and thoughts and heart of my own. It feels as though we are once again being patted on the head by the men and relegated to the back seat in the minivan and reminded to sit tight and be a good little girl, don't think about anything, daddy has everything under control. And I am not the only one tired of being treated patronizingly. It feels like taxation without representation. We pay tithing the same as men donald yet our voices are constantly silenced, and our hearts and thoughts are scorned till we hide.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, all opinions are welcome here. Of course, if you disagree with the (for the most part) free thinkers who follow this blog, you may draw criticism here.
DeleteAs for your above assessment of the Brethren's attitude toward women, you'll get no argument from me. Well said!