The United States, founded on principles of liberty and equality, took 131 years to grant women the right to vote. This delay raises questions about women’s place in American society. Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, established in 1830, has a complex history regarding the roles of women and minorities.
As a lifelong member, I’ve recently discovered surprising facts about women’s history in the church:
- The Relief Society was once an autonomous organization.
- Women were encouraged to heal the sick through laying on of hands.
- Until recently, women made oaths to “obey” their husbands in temple ceremonies.
These revelations prompted me to examine our collective knowledge about women in church history and leadership. Consider:
- How many leaders of the women’s rights movement can you name?
- Can you name any of Joseph Smith’s wives besides Emma?
- How many wives of modern-day prophets or Relief Society presidents can you list?
- How many women are named in the Book of Mormon?
- How often are women quoted in church talks and materials?
The answers to these questions often reveal a significant gap in our understanding and recognition of women’s contributions to our faith and history.
This realization extends to my own work with Mormon Stories podcast. Despite producing 54 episodes, I’ve neglected to address women’s issues in the church. This oversight reflects a broader tendency to treat women’s experiences as an afterthought.
To address this, I’m launching a multi-part podcast series exploring:
- The three waves of feminism in US history
- Prominent women in LDS church history
- Perspectives from Mormon feminists like Claudia Bushman
- Late 20th century feminism in the church and institutional responses
- Ethics of sexuality within the church
- Modern experiences and future hopes of Mormon women
This series is my attempt to bring women’s issues in Mormonism from the periphery to the center of our discussions. By examining our past and present, we can work towards a future where women’s voices and experiences are fully integrated into our faith community.
Join us as we explore these crucial topics and strive to do justice to the rich, complex story of women in Mormonism.
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MormonStories@gmail.com
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
13 Responses
This is awesome! I did miserably on the quiz. I love the idea of transcripts, since I’m such a print media person and I can always find time to read anything but finding time to listen is impossible. I suggest you post transcripts of all the podcasts eventually. :)
Thanks for doing this, John. I’m really looking forward to these podcasts! (Though, point of clarification: I’m a graduate student who teaches undergrads in women’s studies classes, not a professor). :)
“apart from the fact that Emma suffered much hardship, and ultimately wasn’t faithful.”
I disagree with this characterization of Emma. I think she showed a remarkable resiliency of faith in putting up with Joseph’s shenanigans. I think one could argue quite persuasively that between Joseph and Emma, she was the more faithful. Perhaps you meant that she wasn’t faithful to Brigham Young. Knowing what we know about that man, could one really view that as a character flaw?
John,
And when is your disciplinary council scheduled?? Just kidding…seriously, I am excited to hear this series. Hopefully, the issues you raise will help relieve some of the horrific suffering women go through in the Church as second-class members dominated by egotistical men. Just be careful you don’t run amuck of The Brethren. This month’s First Presidency message talks of disloyalty and closing ranks in the church – CAUTION IS ADVISED.
John,
This is great stuff…I enjoyed it very much.
I did terrible on the test and was shocked to learn a lot of new information in this podcast.
I plan on sharing it with my friends.
Johnny
John,
This is great stuff…I enjoyed it very much.
I did terrible on the test and was shocked to learn a lot of new information from this podcast.
I plan on sharing it with my friends.
Johnny
John, I noticed the same sentence which Equality did,and made a vehement mental objection. I think you mean that she wasn’t faithful to the group who decided to trek out west. I certainly don’t think there was any sexual infidelity on her part, despite all that she put up with. If I remember right, in Mormon Enigma, it said her last words were “Joseph, Joseph!”.
I’m glad that you’re making the effort. One of the first times that I visited mormonstories was when you had your list of why people leave the mormon church, and I remember doing a mental eye roll that you had left women’s issues off the list. :)
Just so ya’ll know, I was not trying to convey my view about Emma…I was trying to convey the “standard line” about Emma from mainstream correlated church history — which is that she suffered a lot, but ultimately wasn’t faithful to the church (“lost her faith”).
Of course I personally view this as an abysmal caricature of her….but I was trying to say that we needed to dig deeper to really understand.
Anyway, I clearly wasn’t clear enough. Just so you know what I was trying to say.
John,
I figured that’s what you were trying to say but wasn’t sure everyone who read it would see it that way.
John,
This is a great start. I felt sad listening to it, though, because it seems like you’re probably preaching to the choir. I can’t tell you how many times I have just HINTED at some of my concerns about the treatment/position of women in the church and had other church members look at me like I’m from Mars and tell me that they have NEVER EVEN thought about my concerns/criticisms. ??? I guess I can only hope that some of those people are listening to your podcasts.
Heather,
Take heart. https://www.mormonstories.org/?p=268
:)
Together, we’re all making a difference. Sometimes it just takes a little time…but it’s happening.
As a BMR (Black Mormon Republican ) , I understand the frustrations of women in the church. I know what it feels like to be a faithful member and still be treated like you really don’t count for much. For to long white men have been in complete control of the workings of the church。Control of the money, thoughts and actions of the church.
We would have be better served if there was a diverse pool of thought to pull from. Maybe the Lord would have lead us away from the terrible mistakes we made in the past that hurt so many of our members. (Blacks, Gays, Women, and so called lamonites).