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Another push for Mormon women to wear pants to church

Posted at 10:29 AM, Dec 12, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-12 14:10:08-05

SALT LAKE CITY — Mormon women are being encouraged to wear pants to church services this Sunday, in a statement to draw attention to women’s roles in the LDS faith.

This is the second year in a row that Mormon feminists have organized a “Wear Pants to Church Day.” The group has created a website outlining the events of December 15 — encouraging women to wear pants and supporters to wear purple.

“It kind of lets women experiment in a way that is maybe, not such high stakes, but they could show their support and solidarity for others in their congregation and you might not necessarily know who the allies, feminists and supporters are in your ward,” said Mary Ellen Robertson, the director of the Sunstone Symposium (and a participant in this Sunday’s demonstration). “This is a way to let everybody know.”

Organizers told FOX 13 they hope to highlight women’s roles in the patriarchal faith, urging them to be allowed greater duties. Some women have gone so far as to push for ordination within the priesthood.

Within the past year, they note, the first woman prayed at LDS General Conference.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has said there is no rule that prohibits women from wearing pants to church, only that people dress modestly and respectfully. Supporters say the idea of women only wearing dresses is a cultural tradition that they hope to break.