I write not to presume representation for all Latter-day Saint women. From the Intermountain West corridor to far-reaching global communities, we have different experiences and deep sentiments that shape our perceptions at a moment like this.
Recently, the Church of Jesus Christ released a Relief Society broadcast to the membership of the Church. The overall intent of the broadcast seemed to be focused on how women are essential to the work of the gospel. President Nelson said, “Women have been at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan from the beginning… [and] if the world should ever lose the moral rectitude of its women, the world would never recover.” Despite these touching words, there are some women who have felt the message from the broadcast did not place women on equal footing with men and, additionally, that the Church is keeping women out of positions of power. This has led other news sources to announce that the majority of LDS women feel this sense of disempowerment when it comes to the Church. Our hearts go out to these women who have felt unheard, unlistened to, and underrepresented. We do not deny their personal experience; however, we feel this widely broadcasted message is not giving fair credence to women who have also felt empowered, loved, and valued within the Church.
We are a mosaic of narratives, not a monolith.
This is the exception taken with the recent article published by The New York Times, which demonstrates a lack of professionalism, sensitivity, and respect towards our community. Our experiences cannot be constrained within cultural constructs. We recognize it is difficult to fathom our feelings without a lens of faith. However, to answer your question, we feel elevated and empowered in our efforts. While an extensive review of the claims made about women’s religious experience could be necessary, it goes beyond the scope of this letter. However, we choose not to view all human relationships through the lens of ‘power differentials.’ Quite simply, we believe it is inaccurate to paint all individuals as inherently self-interested. Power, as described in certain ideologies as a measure of control, is not an unimportant concept, but it does not have a place within the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see ourselves and our place in the church beyond the dichotomy of ‘privileged’ and ‘oppressed.’
While not every woman would articulate these thoughts in identical terms, in our collective voice, we ask that The New York Times editors and its readership please hear this:
We choose to follow Him.
Our religious conviction and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reflect a resolute commitment that is not merely a convenient affiliation; it is rooted in profound reverence for Jesus Christ, His priesthood, His plan, His redemption, and His church. He is the source of our joy; the God of our fathers—and our mothers.
Our belief rests on the assurance of a very personal Savior who can and does heal our individual pains because we do not expect perfection from our leaders or claim it of ourselves.
Protesting against His prophets and criticism against His church is not our way.
Nothing holy is born out of grievance. Nor is sustainable testimony fueled by anger.
It is our hope that discussions regarding our community be approached with greater consideration for the deeply held convictions that guide us. We seek conversations rooted in understanding and mutual respect. Sadly, it is you—while posing questions about our empowerment—that we feel unheard by.
Signed,
(If you would like to include your name on this letter, please email us at bholmes@publicsquaremag.org)
Carol Rice
Brianna Holmes
Shaleice Bartholomew
Taylor Jensen
Lauren Jensen
Brenda Andrewsen
Ashlynn Fletcher
Kaitlynn Geddes
Jacquelynn Andrewsen
Lisa Bartholomew
Amanda Freebairn
Taylor Wilkes
Hannah Rice
Liz Busby
Rachel Teran
Cassandra Hedelius
Dominique Christoffersen
Linda Hill
Abrianna Rice
Jennifer Roach
Lela Hill
Becky Thomas
Kristin Williams
Danielle Olsen
Suzanne Floyd
Cambria Tubbs
Lynnette Sheppard
Gale Boyd
Emily Rosenbalm
Brooke Hall
Courtney Davis
Margo Janus
Lora Schillemat
Kari Ward
Christy Jensen
Kim Cannon
Lauren Jensen
Becky Squire
Lara Roetto
Meagan Kohler
Sherstin Rice
Shalie Hancock
Krystal Sanders
Kyrsten Snyder
Erin Holmes
Lisa Pack
Marne Pack
Kristin Williams
Tiesha Anderson
Natalie Clark
Alaina Olinger
Leslie Shannon Rabon
Dianna Tomlinson
Cindy Oswald
Emily James
Catherine Hoffman
Trina Burdge
Kylie Burdge
Pam Warren
Dilene Pulsipher
Linda Nelson
Janae Wahnschaffe
Emily James
Lisa Dickson
Pam Peebles
Melanie Hansen
Krystie Jensen
Melissa Kendall
April Cline Jones
Thalia Mansfield
Charlotte Cline
Kristine Stringham
Sara Christensen
Josie Parsons
Stephanie Umland
Ellan Christiansen
Nancy Hamblin
Erica Low
Rindy Heslop
Leslie Headrick
Tianna Shaw
Camille Knecht
Madison Brakey
Jacque Brown
Megan Miller
Andrea Diaz-Giovani
Ann C. Biada
Lisa Erickson
Laruen Dranwy
Carolyn Gelder
Nina Dayton
Aimee Mallory
Amanda Griffin
Charli Fraughton
Abby Tanner
Rachel Woodbury
Valerie Broyles
Adrian Cohen
Meg Marie johnson
Emily Perry
Rebecca Richardson
Jeanine Crane
Rachel Noble
Abigail Blanchard
Laura Hudson
Tammie Reber
Laura Davis
Brandi Draney
Adrian Groth
Drexel Guzy
April Cook
Jennifer Stafford
Kari Whittier
Shelley Miner
Karissa Bagley
Tiffany Houston
Ann Keys
Angela Walker
Jan Oliver
Adriann Goodwine
Ramona Andrus
Raquel Thomas
Jessica Jorgensen
Michelle Glass
Teresa Curtis
Mercedes Moretti
Teressa Howell Moulton
Carrie Horejs
Kathryn Kelly Madson
Erika LeSueur
Kaylee Jones
Kellie Buckner
Alora Smith
Susan Wilson
Erin Butler
Melissa Sanders
Sydney Otto
Melanie Pratt
Jessica Brown
Brandi Hogan
Narissara Tarazon
Jennie Moss
Sarah Ipson
Keli Capel
Caitlin Justiniano
Melanie Gallini Pratt
Hannah Rizzuto
Darla Gaylor
Sheena Wilson
Marilee Johnson
Lois Brown
Sandee Spencer
Rachel Thompson
Kimberly Smith
Tiffany Seavy
McKenzie Archibald
Lori Thoman
Alysha Collier
Laura Sims
Tamara Snow
Margie Stringam
Kelsee Boyer
Keri Stewart
Lezlie Fitts
Cammy Rasmussen
Gayle Lewis
Cindy Johnson
Rachel Snider
Kristin Frey
Charly Parkinson
Sharla Nethercott
Shayla Egan
Kelly Boyle
Kimber Jessop
Melissa Winegar
Catherine Brandt
Brecklyn Kershaw
Catherine Watkins
Mary Lynn Johnson
Loree Zito
Nina Wigginton
Wende Tate
Natalie Wilson
Mikelle Iva Latimer Cummock
Deana Steed
Shaustia Brown
Julee Swanson
Angela Turley
Marlee Brown
Gabby Fletcher
Layna Matthews
Christina Johnson
Amy Day
Erica Smith
Michelle Abbott
Cherie Tait
Amber Pearce
Mandy Davis
Hayley Clark
Emily Ann Adams
Tiana Barker
Jamie Barkdull
Angela King
Shannon Jones
Dawn Anderson
Becky Ward
Hannah Carter
Alisha Pehrson
Robyn Jones
Kathryn Skaggs
Kim Abish Wise
Lyndee Wright
Tara James
Melissa Ostler
Kathleen Julian
Jen Mortensen
Beth Gawthrop
Rachael Burnham
Katherine Resse
Ashley Zimmerman
Keri Stewart
Adrian Groth
Julie Cawley Hanson
Erica Wilker
Marcy Leonard
Kim Evans
Barbara Wanlass
Suzanne Stokes
Janene Bijou
Merian Johnson
Debbie Gale
Marla Kim Morrill
Krista M. Isaacson
Alisa Johnson
Tricia Andersen
Hallie Roberts
Maree Wilson
Gabby Fletcher
Erica Coleman
Cerani Whitehurst
Shelly Norton
Britta Thunell Gross
Nicole Sampson
Alexandra Chamberlain
Carlean Tubbs
Aubree Owens
Kadee Powell
Kristine Douglass
Nancy Brown
Lori Campbell
Rebecca Carcer
Helga Freeman
Cambrai Pike
Kristie Kerr
Denise Huber
Shannon Warner
Alisa Beach
Kandace Steadman
Britta Thunell Gross
Susan Cunningham
Beverlee Leung
Louise LeSueur
Ajalon J. Stapley
Michaela Lamb
Cindy Fisher
Heather Freeman
Lilliene Ellis
Katelyn Freeman
Ashley Atkin
Julie Whiting
Toni Miller
Julie Hill
Dana Prescott
Anne Stewart
Callie Dale
Tina Schiele
Melissa Hinkson
Julie Nelison
Patty Liston
Barbara McKown
Alexis Jean
Deborah H. Jones
Bianco Newkirk
Claudia Henke Witt
Karen Cattoor
Sharon Fisher
Kendy Ferguson
Sarah Quist
Mary Petty
Amelia Young
Debbie Christensen
Janessa Lloyd
Teresa B. Clark
Molly Tolman
Elise Oldroyd
Annie Smith
Hallie Roberts
Laine Katherine Valerina Pukahi
Bailey Lund
Sarah Searle
Tricia Andersen
Kloe Daniels
Kelsea Jones
Iris Caycayon
Robyn Palmer Steele
Mary-Rose McMullin
Teri K. Johnston
Shandy Cortes
Elizabeth White
Lorraine Hibbert
Melanee Phillips
Amy Rauch
Micaela Hess
Allison Mitton
Kathleen Kilday
Karen Meyers
Frances Sneddon
Diane Edvenson
Amy Uhl
Bonnie Loveland
Darcy de Benito
Kendra Richardson
Chelsea Perdue
Katie Plowman
Makenzie Gregersen
Jana Bybee
Brenda Vincent
Sharon Silveria
Lori Hurd
Laurel Lee Pedersen
Karin Moses
Maurine Proctor
Shauna Hunt
Robyn Green
Debi Russell
Becky Burton
Monique Hess
Laurie Hatch
Janeete Watts
Radel Martinez
Karen Pettit
Kathleen Whitworth
Christine Anderson
Diane Roberson
Natalie Griffioen
Claire Griffioen
Becky Castillo
Katie Clark
Stephanie Hancock
Kallie Tolley
Katherine Rice
Emily Southwick
Kaye Johnson
Bekah Benhalter Sien
Mimi Mitchell
Katie Raddon
Gena Goodman
Mishi Cola
Kathy Givens
Anne Knudesne
Allison Richards
Lynette Sayre
Megan Hanson
Jeanne Groberg
Angie Stephenson
Chelsea Denhalter
Sara Ray
Makenzie Gregersen
Wendi Bohn
Janey Sorensen
Natalie Jennings
Melissa Ballard
Abigail Huch
Rebecca Griffioen
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