At World Conference in April 1984, W Wallace Smith introduced an inspired document that was to become Section 156. In 156: 9(c) we read “Do not wonder that some women of the church are being called to priesthood responsibilities. This is in harmony with my will.”
This was eight years after the approval of World Church Resolution 1141 (April 1976) which was designed to slow down the growing movement at that time for women to be considered for ordination. WCR 1141 stated “…consideration of the ordination of women be deferred until it appears in the judgment of the First Presidency that the church, by common consent, is ready to accept such ministry.”
Australia and New Zealand church members and leadership wrestled with the issue. Here is a paragraph from the report of the Australia and NZ Region Presidency (comprising Jack Imrie, David Judd, and Syd Jacka) presented at the Sydney conference (31 March-2 April 1983).
The church cannot be separated from society and is influenced by it, even as we expect the church to bring its expectations and standards to bear on society. Both are still in the throes of “revolution” in respect to the appropriate role of women. The matter has been a current one in the church in some parts of this region for some 15 years now. Patterns of responsibility and attitudes of members vary widely around the region. Some pastoral units are very inclusive and lead the church, others are reluctant to change, and friction is evident.
But, after two years, and after Section 156, we were ready. The Report of the Australia and NZ Region Presidency (now comprising Jack Imrie, David Judd, and Bill Gillard) to the Region conference in Melbourne (5-8 April 1985), included these words, indicating that the church in Australia and New Zealand was open to receiving and approving calls for women:
Doctrine and Covenants 156 provided a breakthrough for the church in resolving the years of uncertainty about how women may express their giftedness. This searching, as is most growth, has been painful for the church. Various jurisdictions and persons in this region have been prominent in searching for appropriate answers to the question. The pain and uncertainty should now gradually slip away as we respond faithfully to the guides given and accepted by the vote of the Saints. Now is a time for courage as our devotion to the Lord’s will is implemented.
Why am I reflecting on this today? Because Monday, November 17, is the 40th anniversary of the first Australia and New Zealand ordinations, on Sunday, November 17 1985. That day, Anne Sutton, Vera Entwistle, Gwen Selden, Lois Archer, Rene Charles, Robyn Spadafore, Janie Oxley, Beryl Ferrett and Doris Loughlin were ordained to a range of priesthood offices (along with a number of men) in Australia. Diane Boyle was ordained in Auckland, NZ. Approvals had also been given for the ordinations of Jane Hardwick, Val Morley, Lyanne Putting, Rebecca Naylor and Esme Smith. Their ordinations occurred soon after on later dates.
We owe a special debt especially to two women in the past who were amongst the many male and female activist in this country and NZ who led the way. Both were writing in the 1970s in their capacity as Mission Women’s Leader.
Here is what Beryl Jacka wrote in 1973:
It was a tremendously uplifting experience to be able to attend World Conference of 1972. At a meeting with the Women’s Ministry Consultant, Sr. Marjorie Troeh, I sensed more deeply some of the aspects of her various responsibilities which include “studying the needs, concerns and potential of women, seeing to it that in world church programming, provision is made for ministry to women and by women.”
Here is Lorna Burdekin writing in 1977:
Branches in Australia are using a variety of organizational patterns and women are being challenged with leadership responsibility in many fields. We see the term Women’s Ministries covering women’s ministry in the total church life, as opportunity and needs arise … Women throughout Australia continue to make significant contributions as they participate in family, women’s department, branch, district and community activities, in areas of Worship, Christian Education, Pastoral Care, Stewardship, Evangelism and Zion Building. My sincere desire is that our women’s growing understanding of their worth will bring renewed commitment and blessing to all.
Today, the World Church accepts without question that women and men can and should share all priesthood roles. Indeed, for the first time in our history we have a woman prophet-president, and the First Presidency has, for the first time, a majority of women.
Let me end by looking back more than half a century. In November, 1971, the First Presidency in Independence appointed a committee to review the role of women in the church. The committee’s report arrived two years later and was reported in the March, 1974 Saints’ Herald. Part of it read: “One danger for the church is that women in the community and business world may respond to the general climate that is granting new freedom of participation, yet at the same time feel inhibited by what they understand their traditional role to be in the church.”
It took fourteen years for that quandary finally to be resolved. And, forty years on, no one questions that it has not always been this way.
Rick Sarre
I am grateful to Margaret Morris for the trove of information she sent to me regarding this topic. I also refer to Dale Luffman’s Commentary on the Community of Christ’s Doctrine and Covenants, Herald House, 2020, Volume 2 (from page 373).