The Church issued a really classy reply to feminist agitation on being left out of certain dialogues taking place between LDS women and Public Affairs:
Yet there are a few people with whom Public Affairs and General Authorities do not engage, such as individuals or groups who make non-negotiable demands for doctrinal changes that the Church can’t possibly accept. No matter what the intent, such demands come across as divisive and suggestive of apostasy rather than encouraging conversation through love and inclusion. Ultimately, those kinds of actions can only result in disappointment and heartache for those involved.Non-negotiable demands. That couldn't mean women want the priesthood or else could it? An ultimatum. Hmm. What scripture stories we have of individuals making ultimatums to God or Church leaders do not end well.
For these demands to end well, the requesting party has to be willing to take "No" for an answer. Are they? It seems not. They keep demanding. Hmm. This sounds like Martin Harris asking Joseph to ask Heavenly Father two and three more times when he didn't like God's answer that Joseph relayed back to him. That whole thing did not end well...
Also, aren't we taught not to covet? That's pretty basic. It's in the 10 Commandments. We should be content with what God has allotted to us.
The whole situation reeks of questionable tactics. For example, just because someone's, or a group's intent, is good does not mean that their actions are. We tend to judge ourselves by out intent and other people on their actions.
I don't much care for the group's tactics or their stated intents, which don't seem to square with their words. Their goals are at odds with revealed doctrine and their tactics are straight out of the 60s civil rights period. Whine and complain when you don't get what you want. Seek to constantly draw attention to yourself and your particular goal when all Mormons are seeking the words of prophets and guidance from them.
This might be okay if the issue was civil rights, but it isn't. The priesthood isn't a right. It's a responsibility. Besides, spiritual power of leaders doesn't flow up through the people like it does in a democracy. Spiritual power and authority flows down from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Political pressure by members on leaders in the hope to effect change is misguided. They should be praying their hearts out to the real decision maker, Heavenly Father. And, if that doesn't work, they should abandon their quest.
I agree with Church PR. these actions "can only result in disappointment and heartache for those involved."
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