Sometimes feminists get what they want, and sometimes it’s not so great. You have to be careful demanding equality. For instance, health insurance premiums have been higher for a woman than a man (something about pregnancy — or the equipment needs more attention?) But, why should a woman have to pay more than a man (assuming same age)?
Now that feminists have complained, we are equal — men get to pay the same high price that women are charged. Married couples pay more. Health insurance companies didn’t lower the premium for women, they raised the rate for men. So much for equality.

And yet you often hear how wonderful this new change is for women. Yea. How? Even if you are single, you pay the same as a man, which is the same rate you were paying, but your man has to pay that price too. By 2014, the practice of charging women more, will be illegal, nationally, though some states have already adopted this practice. (The insurance companies are happy to comply.)  All men get the new higher rate. But the media isn’t going to share that. We are equal, we both pay the higher rate. Check your policy.

Which just goes to show, you have to be careful what you ask for. This week I read two articles about feminist Mormon women who want more equality in the church — some want to preside, to have the priesthood, and some would like to be the bishop. They question the age of women missionaries being different than men.
I’m all for women excelling, I subscribed to the Women’s Exponent II  in the 70s. I love  that Joseph Smith introduced women into the temple, that Brigham Young encouraged women to go east and study medicine to become doctors. I love to be regarded as intelligent. My daddy always told me I was smart. But I don’t want to be called a Mormon feminist.

I don’t know why men hold the priesthood and yet women perform priesthood ordinances in the temple. I don’t know why women used to bless the sick, and now the priesthood does this. I don’t know why women serve a mission at age 19 for 18 months and men at age 18 for 24 months. (But who’s to say that one is better than the other?)

I don’t know why the savior is a man, or why we pray to a male God. But I am OK with this. I believe that God is all-knowing, that He sees all time at one time, and He is for “me.”

I also believe that this life is a test to see if we will do all that God asks of us. Sometimes that doesn’t make sense. Like polygamy. But I trust God, look how long Sarah and Abraham had to wait for Isaac. How unfair. And she had to put up with that helper-girl Hagar having sex with her husband and bearing a child. And Hagar didn’t treat her very well. And then they were tested to see if they were willing to sacrifice Isaac — it doesn’t make sense.

But they passed the test. Murmuring and complaining are not esteemed great qualities in the scriptures.

I may ask God in the quiet of my pondering prayers, but I’m not going to tell the church or speak out and complain to the news media. Even if I believe differently. Some things we must wait for, quietly, without complaining. There is a bigger picture to this, a life before and beyond this one.

Hugh Nibley believed that it is better to defend the church, and if you disagree with church policy, it’s better to keep quiet. And wait. Like blacks and the priesthood.

I believe that God gives man agency, man decides what to do and God does not intervene — He will not take away man’s agency. Therefore, some of your leaders will make poor choices. And sometimes it affects you and your family. But that is agency and that is at the root of judgement and mercy. They will face their maker for the wrongs. It has to be this way, there is no other way. I have learned to get over it, to wait, and to realize that it’s all going to work out.