Yes, a woman, and LDS.

There have been a lot of disputes about whether or not women have a say in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I have thought so much about this, and how to word this post, and what to say, and in the end, I found that there is good, there is better, and there is best.  

It could be good for me to list all of the privileges that women have in the church, and my personal experience with things that I have been able to do that have blessed my life profoundly and the lives of others, but I feel still, there is better and best.

I don't want to say that asking for women to pray in conference is a bad thing, or that wanting to wear pants to church is a bad thing- but if it's good- then why settle for just good.  There is still better and best.

Now I don't want to define what I think is good and what is better than good, but consider what best could be?  And this is just one of millions of ideas...If you are a woman in the LDS church, and you feel a little like you haven't been appreciated, I would suggest reading Daughters in my Kingdom.  Have you read it yet?  It is quite a gem. Really.

After you read it, you might say "Wow, women in the past in this church have done so many amazing things.  Why can't we do stuff like that in my ward?"  Then you might just be inspired to get on your knees, and ask the Lord how you can serve him like these wonderful, influential women of the past, and you might just receive some specific revelation.  You might just call up the Relief Society President, or if you are the President, you might call your counselors and say "I have been reading about some powerful women in church history, and I was thinking about how we could achieve that in this ward.  Is there anything that I can do, or that we can do to better serve the women in this ward, or the people in the community.  Is there a way that we can make a difference and bless _____(insert town where you live?)

If we could put as much energy into things like that as we do in pant and prayer protests, can you imagine the histories WE could write?  I am by no means a perfect person.  I have my own opinions, just as we all do, but I think sometimes we put all of our energy (and yes, when I say we it is myself included) into things that are good, instead of better, or best.  But hey, we are all human...or are we dancer? Okay, that was a bad example.  Here is a better or best one.

On the issue of the pants, I just have to say that the church has never been about personal rights, like government and politics.  Church is about going to worship the Lord.  So if you stand in front of your closet Sunday morning, and you say, "Today is the Holy Sabbath.  Today is the Lords day.  I want to wear my VERY best, because if he were to come to my meeting today, I want to look my best."  If you say that, and you grab your nicest black pants, and a beautiful (and of course modest) blouse, and sweater (it is super cold in Logan, please wear a sweater) then that is good.  Who am I to judge another? The worry is just when it becomes about me, and what my rights are, instead of what would the Lord want.  So my invitation for me, and you, is to find out what the Lord wants for you.
 Do women in the church have any influence?  They sure do!  And I will prove it.

Sincerely,
 Camille