Why I Will Be Wearing Pants to Church on Sunday Aka Where I Come Out As a Mormon Feminist

There has been a lot of commotion about this business of wearing pants to church this Sunday. It has exploded in ways I would never have imagined, and all kinds of people are saying all kinds of terrible things I think they will live to regret.

I will be wearing pants to church on Sunday. I have never, ever, in my whole life worn pants to Sunday services before. I don't particularly like pants, but if there is one thing we have learned from all of this it is that it was never about the pants.

I will be wearing pants because I believe that it is time to talk about women's issues in the Church. They are there, and it is time for us all to acknowledge them, and start to rethink how women are treated and utilized within our religious setting.

I will be wearing pants because there might be a woman in my new ward wearing pants, and I don't want her (whoever she is) to be alone.

I will be wearing pants because there might not be anyone else in my new ward who does, and I feel those women in the church need to be represented by someone who understands, sympathizes, agrees with, and can explain the issues.

I will be wearing pants because I have felt excluded, patronized, ignored, and my insights undervalued within the church because of my sex.

I will be wearing pants because this movement needs faces.

I will be wearing pants because it is time for Mormon Feminists to stop hiding on the internet, but to sit boldly in the pews and take an active roll as members of their wards. They can't do that if they feel divided.

I will be wearing pants because it is time I started being honest with myself and the people around me about my Feminist convictions.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because they are modest.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because it will remind well-meaning people that the church is full of all kinds of people, and the Savior would have them be charitable and kind.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because it is December, and it is kind of cold.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because they look nice.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because that is the time when we, as members, do the business of the church.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because dressing in a gender-neutral way helps me to not be objectified because of my sex.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I cannot in good conscience sit by and watch well-meaning people say hurtful things in their zealotry to their brothers and sisters.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because standing up for people who do not have a voice is the right thing to do.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because it will remind me of the faith and courage it takes to follow the Savior.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I feel in my heart that God wants me to represent women who have been hurt by our cultural norms.

I will be wearing pants because it is time to show mainstream Mormons that Mormon Feminists look just like everyone else - lots of faith, lots of courage, lots of insights, lots of flaws and lots of imperfections.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I love the church.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I have a vision of the future, where women serve in a greater capacity, and the entire church is blessed.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because it is time to bridge the gap between all members of the church.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I believe spirituality is independent of sex.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because this is a small way I can stand up to be counted.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I believe that God answers prayer.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because there is a place for everyone in our pews, and no one should ever feel left out.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because there is more than one way to be a proper LDS woman.

I will be wearing pants on Sunday because I believe a woman's place is not on a pedestal, but pulling a handcart, lifting the feeble knees, and drying tears.

I will be wearing pants because it's time you all knew that I am a Mormon Feminist.

When I wear pants, I'm not asking for the priesthood, or for a role identical to my husband's. I'm not asking for a prophetess, or a major change in doctrine. I'm just asking to be understood, and to be allowed to share my personal insights without chastisement. I'm just asking to talk and think and consider together how we can make a better world. I'm asking to be trusted to listen to what the Lord tells me. I'm asking you to trust my husband to be spiritual independent of priesthood. I'm asking that women be given a voice in the church that is proportional to our membership. I'm asking for understanding when my heart is broken. I'm asking for equal training, equal attention, and equal respect. Most of all, I'm asking for permission to be myself with you.

You see, it was never about the pants.