pants

Since this is my family journal, I am recording my experience today. I love to read about your inner lives so I hope you don't think this is too preachy.

 I wore pants to church today. I have to admit that after reading about all the strong opposing reactions to "Wear Pants to Church Day," I was hesitant. The very premise confused some people since there is actually no rule against it, but it is a tradition most women adhere to. Some feel it represents more than a simple social convention. Others would feel very self conscious in anything other than a skirt or dress. I consider myself a feminist, but I did not want to add to any hostility between women or create division with those who felt that wearing pants today would be disrespectful. On the other hand, I have always felt strongly about being careful and discerning about tradition versus truth in my faith, especially when it comes to gender equality. I have been lucky in my life- I have a strong minded, independent mother, a gentle and infinitely kind father, a feminist husband who encourages me to spread my wings, and have had countless progressively minded church leaders, so I have not felt any real gender inequality that affects my day to day life. I feel free to make up my own mind and make my own life choices, but I don't think that has been every woman's experience. I bristle at thoughtless comments I occasionally hear at church and in other gatherings made by people who assume everyone agrees even when the subject matter is non-doctrinal. I question cultural traditions I have encountered in Mormon culture that seem to minimize the capability of women or men to succeed beyond their traditionally prescribed roles.

So I wrestled with this for several days. In the end I decided that if I could wear pants with a positive, inclusive, compassionate attitude that it was the right thing for me to do. And you know what? It was a good thing. There were several women wearing dress pants and several others who would have if they owned any. I found people to be warm and friendly as they always are. Rather than feeling a separation between the pants wearers and the dress wearers, I felt that the statement made was that Mormon women are not a homogeneous group. There is room in our faith for many different social, political and spiritual opinions and our Relief Society and church as a whole is made richer for it. We should be thinkers, ponderers, seekers of truth who are free to come to many different conclusions that change as we continue to grow.  Constructive debate will only broaden our views and help us think carefully about our own beliefs. We shouldn't fear questioning. Brigham Young wrote, "I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful that they settle down in the state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence, (Church News, March 12, 1988, p. 16). I felt more fondness of my religion today than I have felt in a long time.

Incidentally, pants are awesome. They are warm, require no shaving or panty hose, do not get pulled up by children, and allow for crawling under pews in chase of escaped toddlers. Not to mention they provide excellent coverage of cankles. I may never go back.