Amelia’s post at Exponent II is worth reading. Here’s a sneak peak:
“It may seem absolutely obvious to us that of course women matter to the Lord. Of course they are of equal value to and deserve joy as much as men. Of course God loves his daughters and would never have them be overlooked.
But no matter how obvious this may seem to us, my experience and friendships with LDS women tells me that this concern is very real—that many women in the church wonder whether they have worth in the eyes of the Lord.“
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Quite an interesting talk. I like the idea that our worth is defined by the degree to which we bring righteousness to whatever our roles are. I wish that she had mentioned, though, that Deborah and Esther, for all their public virtues and righteousness, were no less beloved of the Lord than the millions of silent but still righteous mothers in Israel.
Just musing a little here, though: perhaps the reason women question their worth so much is that we have a public world. Everyone in Western society has the potential to live a public life. It’s assumed that things that don’t deserve to be public–known by many, commented on–are not as valuable.
This is not what the Savior taught though–we are to do our alms in secret. Is there any type of alms more secret than getting up with a baby in the middle of the night? No one knows about it but you and the baby and God, if your husbands sleeps through it. Secret alms are the stuff of mothering.
Gah. I am not organizing my thoughts well. I will come back to this. But a very interesting read.
I love your thoughts on public versus private, Emily. That is so true.
I don’t think my worth in God’s eyes comes from my righteousness, though. Not by a long shot. Were it not for His grace and mercy I would still be wandering lost. And even though many aspects of my life may seem more outwardly righteous now, I NEED the Atonement every day. Every one of us does, and that is a great equalizer.
I may be back later with thoughts on the gender issues.