Letter: Fair treatment means equal treatment

Charlene Pineda ("Church treats me fairly," July 15) affirms her own experience of fairness as a Mormon woman. Although she admits that she has not always lived the tenets of Mormonism, and has had to seek counsel from her bishop, she states she has never been treated unfairly, condescendingly, or lesser than any man would have in the same circumstances.

I might be more convinced of her argument on the day when she, as a Mormon woman, is no longer dependent upon a man in authority to counsel with, and when she is no longer dependent upon a man's righteousness to bless her and her family. Imagine, Charlene, how "equal" a Mormon woman might feel who can give her sick child a priesthood blessing in the middle of the night, drawing from her own spiritual strength and relationship with God, rather than waiting for a man to bless her child, while hoping he is worthy enough to do so. That is true equality before God, even if the LDS Church cannot presently allow women such equal spiritual experiences as men.

Jim Birrell

Lehi