“So this 15-year-old school shooter could be ordained in the Mormon Church as a 12-year-old, but a woman who advocated the priesthood for Mormon women is ex-communicated?”
What would you have the church do differently? Should they refrain from ordaining any twelve-year-old males as deacons because of the possibility that one of them will later murder someone?
I have a bright idea (please pass it along to the Mormon Elite who run the company): How about following the Bible in pinpointing eligibles for deacons:
8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. (1 Timothy 3:8-12)
Obviously, TT, deacons in the early Christian Church -- if they had a wife and children and were not to be given to much wine -- were mature, respected ADULTS.
The responsibilities of a twelve-year-old deacon in the Mormon church would not tend to be as great as the responsibilities of an adult deacon as described in 1 Timothy, but their assignments introduce them to the concept of service in the priesthood for the good of others, such as the passing of the sacrament trays of bread and water. I can see how you might object to the nomenclature of referring to these boys as deacons, but how could anyone object to the service they provide for the benefit of others (such as passing the sacrament)? Most of these deacons will probably grow up to be fine, law-abiding citizens. However, if there is a large enough pool of deacons (12-year-old or even adult), the odds are that one (or a few) of these will later commit terrible crimes, but this should not be an obstacle to the worthy idea of trying to place wholesome responsibilities on these youth.