I'm Oppressed because I'm a Mormon Woman. Only Not.

So, I spend a lot of time online. Perhaps too much, but oh well. I have friends online, and maybe a few enemies, but for the most part, I enjoy having people to discuss, debate, and challenge ideas with. I think it's important to be challenged, if we are never met with opposition it's too easy to forget all the reasons you believe the way you do. It's OK if none of this makes sense to you, most of what I say makes no sense to anyone else.
First of all, I don't argue. I debate. Sometimes I have disagreements, but I never argue. Remember that, k?
Recently I had a discussion with a friend on Facebook about women in the church. In case you don't know, I'm Mormon. Yes, I drink caffeine, no my husband does not have multiple wives, yes we go to church, no I've never sacrificed babies or sheep in the temple, (where do people come up with this crap?!) yes, I believe in eternal life, and NO I am not freaking oppressed.
There are so many misconceptions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints out there, as there are about every organized religion, but one that irks me more than most other is that women in the church are in some way oppressed, looked down upon, or not viewed as a second class citizen. I am not sure where people come up with this crap, but I'm not sure if you know me or not... I don't exactly let other people control my life's decisions. Just ask my mom. (Hi, Mom!)So, the idea that women in the church are controlled by their husbands or church leaders is laughable to me.

Let's dive in.

Women can't hold the priesthood! That's totally sexist.
Well, you know... big deal? It's not exactly a secret that the LDS church supports traditional gender roles, and quite frankly, is that such a bad thing? But the notion that women are sub par, or in any way below their husbands is laughable at best. The entire Relief Society presidency is made up of women. Women can be called as missionaries, they serve as teachers, but above all: they are nurturers. I'm sorry if the idea of women being mothers first and foremost is offensive to you (actually, I'm not) but quite frankly, if more were we probably wouldn't have so many parentless hooligans running around causing trouble.

Women can do more than just pop out babies, you know.
Well, yeah, they can also raise said babies to not be idiots! As a Mormon woman, I have never felt obligated to abandon every hobby, passion, career, or plan to sit at home and have babies. But, I do think that being a mother is the most important role a woman can serve. Why? Because they're the future, that's why. The more kids are left to raise themselves, the more problems we as a society seem to have. We are still encouraged to obtain an education, and be sufficient human beings, but is there a more important role than motherhood? Absolutely not. No way.

Mormon women are oppressed.
Uhh... come again? Have you met me?! LOL. First of all, let's point out the obvious here. No one forces anyone to be a member. Secondly, I feel women are celebrated more in the LDS religion than any other. Prophets, Apostles, Bishops... they all sing the praises of women. I have always felt that men and women in the church are equals, different but complimentary to one another.

"Our doctrine is clear: Women are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves them. Wives are equal to their husbands. Marriage requires a full partnership where wives and husbands work side by side to meet the needs of the family."
-QUENTIN L. COOK
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 2011 General Conference

"One individual is complimentary to the other. As Paul stated: Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord. Man and woman are his creations, their duality is His design. One is incomplete without the other."
-PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINKLEY

"There are some men who in a spirit of arrogance think they are superior to women. They do not seem to realize that they would not exist but for the mother who gave them birth. Every women is a daughter of God. You can not offend her without offending Him.The women in our lives are creatures endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities that cause them to reach out in kindness and with love to those about them."
- PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINKLEY

"Mothers, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours, and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Yours is the work of salvation."
-JEFFERY R. HOLLAND

"Know that in faith, things will be made right because of you. We thank all of you, and tell you there is nothing more important in this world than participating so directly in the work and the glory of God. May I say to mothers collectively: you are magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact you have been given such responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in heaven has in you."
-JEFFERY R. HOLLAND

"Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman."
-M. RUSSELL BALLARD
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

...so what was that about being oppressed and looked down upon because I am a woman in the LDS church? It's simply not true.

As an LDS woman:
I'm not oppressed.
I don't feel looked down upon.
I've never felt pressure to marry young...
or to sit at home and pop out babies.
I have not felt obligated to abandon my career.

I do feel praised and supported.
I do feel glorified.
I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

And that's all I have to say about that.