A Proper Wife

You may be wondering, "What does pornography have to do with feminism in the church? That's a common question, but the answer is: everything! It is a sad truth that pornography is a nearly ubiquitous problem in this church. When I was a student at BYU, I was told that over 90% of the unmarried male students had a problem with pornography to some degree. And we all have personal experiences with friends and family members whose marriages have ended, whose missions have been postponed, whose lives have been altered by this debilitating addiction. But I believe that there are many members of the church who don't really get why this is such a big deal . It's just porn, right? Slap them on the wrist, and they'll stop doing it, right? The truth is, pornography is Satan's last ditch effort to destroy this church, and right now, he's winning.  But how does pornography destroy people and why is it so inherently harmful? Pornography is inherently sexist and selfish...

MAN, I love her! Cannot get enough of her in my life! So you can imagine my delight and excitement when I received my April 2013 Ensign and on page 19 was a SIX PAGE feature article written by Mrs. Valerie M. Hudson and Richard B. Miller. I did notice and find it slightly amusing that she chose not to use her usually hyphenated name for this article. That might scare away some of the more traditional members, I suppose. Haha! Ok, I'm way too excited about this. But have you read this article?!  Entitled, Equal Partnership in Marriage and written by my oh-so-most-favorite MoFem ever! Here are some highlights: "In some cultures, tradition places a man in a role to dominate, control and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that EVERY PRIESTHOOD HOLDER MUST REJECT." "...

Lately I have been thinking a lot about how many of the problems of feminists stem from within themselves. Now, before we start burning bras here , let me explain. I personally have struggled with a feelings of intimidation when dealing with priesthood leaders throughout my life. But I wonder how much of that comes from some sense of inferiority within myself? I admit that there are structural and cultural norms that would encourage or cause those feelings, however, I also know that the priesthood can only maintained, "by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile." My experience has been that the vast majority of priesthood leaders, while not perfect men, are trying their best, and the last thing they want is to make a daughter of God feel in any way inferior. Is it not also the responsibility of the women in the church to buil...

Humankind defines itself by its actions. He's a hunter. She's a sailor. He's a murderer. Shes a liar. This is even evident in our names. Baker, Thatcher, Miller, Fletcher. All women are mothers. We moth. I am a mother because I love even when it's scary. Because when I serve, I am happy. Because when I teach, people listen. Because the Spirit supplies my needs. Because I have a great, God-given capacity for compassion. Because I am strong and brave. I am a mother because God made me that way and my gifts have very little to do with my physiological functions. I am a motherbecause it is the greatest gift can can give His daughters. I am a mother because I have a Mother. How do you moth?

 I just love her. Like every word that comes out of her mouth. Like, I wish we could vote her back into the General RS presidency. Here is a quote that I read today that I wanted to share from her, "Regardless of your marital status, your age, or the language you speak, you are a beloved spirit daughter of Heavenly Father who is destined to play a critical part in the onward movement of the gospel kingdom. Eliza R. Snow proclaimed that, 'There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth.'"