Posted by OrdainWomen on Mar 1, 2016 in Blog |

Lorie Winder Stromberg serves on the Ordain Women executive board as chair of the Long-term Planning Committee.

As we come to the close of Black History Month, it’s important to remember that diversity and inclusiveness are not just ideals to be celebrated; they are essential to our well-being as a community, both religious and secular. I believe Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau understood this when, soon after he was elected last year, he unveiled his new cabinet. Could it have been even more inclusive? To be sure. However, for the first time in history, the cabinet not only reflected Canada’s diverse population, but half of the ministers were women. When asked by a reporter why such parity was so important to the young, Liberal Party leader, Trudeau quipped, “Because it’s 2015.”

I often respond similarly when asked why I believe women should be ordained. Like Trudeau, I’ve learned that it is simply self-defeating to marginalize or leave untapped the countless gifts, talents, abilities and aspirations of all members of our community, including women.

Fortunately for Mormons, the ability to make such positive changes is inherent in our doctrine. We believe God “will yet reveal many great and important things…” In a Church whose theology is so hospitable to change, why are we often hostile to it? We at Ordain Women, as this year’s theme suggests, are ready for revelation. Are you?

We’re well into 2016. Couldn’t our religious community more fully reflect the radical inclusiveness of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Isn’t it about time we lay aside the rigid gender roles and tortured logic that keep us from seeing each other as we are–spiritual siblings, colleagues and friends all inching together toward that hope?