RSVP here for the April 5th action!

Why are women seeking to attend the priesthood session?

We are demonstrating our desire for both the blessings and the authority of the priesthood and asking LDS Church leaders to prayerfully consider the ordination of women.

What do you hope to achieve?

We hope our leaders welcome us to the general priesthood session and consider our untapped potential. Attending the priesthood session will demonstrate our desire for ordination and willingness to perform a full range of priesthood duties. Many of us are traveling to Salt Lake City from other states and countries. In joining together, we are punctuating our commitment to Mormonism and fervent hope for the extension of priesthood ordination to all worthy adult members of the LDS Church.

What exactly is going to happen? What will you do?

On Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 4:00 p.m., we will meet at Salt Lake’s City Creek Park (110 N. State Street). Following a brief prayer service, we will walk together to the LDS Conference Center and request to be admitted to the priesthood session. If admitted, we’ll attend and then return to City Creek Park to celebrate this historic event. If we’re not admitted, we’ll reconvene at City Creek Park and listen together to the priesthood session on portable electronic devices.

You were denied admittance to the all-male general priesthood session in October. Why try again?

Our goal of priesthood for women remains unrealized in the LDS Church. Many who support the ordination of women were either unaware of the October action or unable to participate. They want an opportunity to join their voices with ours in publicly expressing their desire for priesthood ordination. We applaud recent church initiatives, including an emphasis on collaborative, gender-inclusive councils, greater encouragement for women to serve missions, and the opportunity for women to both pray and speak in general conference. Following our peaceful, faith-affirming efforts in October and April, we hope church leaders will continue to respond positively to the expressed desire of the women they serve for a more inclusive church and that their hearts will be receptive to the ordination of women.

Ordain Women engages in faith-affirming strategic action. How is this different from political action?

Our understanding of the gospel is that the heavens are yet open. The 9th Article of Faith states: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” We believe that the expansion of priesthood keys must come through revelation to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. That church members play a role in this process is demonstrated throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, which includes many examples of revelations received after members approached the Prophet and requested revelation. This pattern was established by Jesus, who said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). It is our faith in this process that compels us to action. “And your whole labor shall be in Zion, with all your soul, from henceforth; yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you. Amen” (D&C 30:11).